DigiPara Knowledge
Lift design: effective and successful thanks to BIM software
We are your experts for lift design
Modern buildings are becoming more advanced—and so are the challenges behind their construction. Whether it's public facilities, office complexes, or residential developments, today’s infrastructure demands smarter, more sophisticated solutions.
For elevator designers, this means adapting quickly to ensure efficient mobility throughout. Every detail matters: from elevator and escalator plans to cabin design, regulatory compliance, and shaft layout.
Want to elevate your next project? Contact us today for a free consultation and discover how our solutions can support your vision.
What is BIM?
In modern construction projects, the standard solution is BIM. BIM stands for Building Information Modeling and refers to a digital design method used in computer-aided design (CAD). CAD makes it easier to create and modify 2D and 3D models, allowing plans to be adjusted quickly and efficiently. Today, BIM is the foundation of digital transformation in architecture, engineering, and construction.
One of BIM’s key strengths is sustainability. By using digital models and simulations, development and production processes can be optimized early on, helping teams work in a more resource-efficient and environmentally friendly way. BIM also includes simulation tools that allow you to check designs for clashes and inconsistencies before construction begins. This makes it possible to adjust, improve, and refine a project quickly and directly.
Making changes after a lift has already been installed is time-consuming and costly. With our lift design software, you can avoid this extra effort and expense from the start.
Our overview gives you all the essential information about using BIM in lift and escalator planning.
Define the level of detail and modify it with precision
During the lift design development phase, BIM allows you to define the Level of Detail (LOD) flexibly at any stage of the project. LOD brings together all the information you need, from the initial concept through design changes to final completion. It consists of two components: LOG (Level of Geometry) and LOI (Level of Information).
LOG describes the geometric detail of individual components and, ultimately, the finished product. LOI, on the other hand, focuses on the level of detail related to the model’s properties and functions.
Together, these elements give you full control over every aspect of your project—from start to finish.
With BIM you stay up to date
Both small and large projects require thorough, structured planning and close cooperation between the planning and sales teams. This often makes it difficult to maintain a clear overview of the current development stages at all times.
BIM provides the ideal solution. With BIM, all relevant information is centralized in one place, enabling smooth collaboration across departments. It also ensures that everyone stays up to date with the latest changes and helps keep communication clear and efficient. The result is time and cost savings, as well as a significant increase in overall productivity.
What standards and guidelines must be observed in lift planning?
There are many standards and guidelines to be observed in lift design. These include proper maintenance and servicing in advance, as well as correct dimensioning and appropriate safety precautions. These are as follows:
- an emergency power supply
- a smoke extraction system
- an emergency control system in case of fire or power failure
- a remote emergency call system
Such standards and guidelines differ regarding context and use of the lift or escalator.
- Is the lift intended for passenger transport?
- Is the lift intended for use in a hospital or nursing home?
Therefore, lifts must be designed with the correct dimensions and safety features—for example, to allow the safe transport of hospital beds. In industrial settings, even larger lift systems are often required.
Our BIM software for lift planning gathers all relevant project data in one place, including all applicable legal requirements, standards, and guidelines.
BIM in different models and scales
Depending on the size and context of your project, BIM adapts into various models. These depend on the scale of size of the BIM application.
- Little BIM: In a Little-BIM model, the software is applied in a limited area, for example only in one office or one specialist discipline. Thus, Little-BIM represents an isolated solution.
- Big BIM: Big BIM is a multidisciplinary application in which different disciplines and planning offices overlap and work together. At the same time, a Big BIM solution accompanies the entire life cycle of your project.
- Open BIM: With an Open BIM solution, open interfaces are available. That allows the various participants of a project to have continuous and complete access to the development of the project.
- Closed BIM: A Closed BIM application restricts access to a project to only one vendor. Here, compatibility with other external solutions is denied.
What is BIM at Digipara?
Our intuitive BIM software is designed and developed for the planning of lifts and moving walkways. In this planning tool, all relevant and necessary data of the lift installation is captured, combined and digitally pre-modeled. This ensures that all physical features and functions of a lift or escalator can be represented. With our software, you can create 2D and 3D drawings and models of your project and use 3D BIM models to simulate your finished product.
Digipara checklist: All the advantages of lift design at a glance
- Optimize the planning of lifts and moving walkways
- Create installation drawings for 2D and 3D models as quickly as possible
- Simulate processes and adapt design options if necessary
- Large selection of existing models and drawings in the software
- Generate fully automatic drawings
- Shorten communication channels in your team
- Grant online access to your drawings and models
Lift design with many years of experience
Our planning tool for lifts is ideal for architects, lift manufacturers, construction and installation companies, engineering firms and component manufacturers.
As experts for BIM in the lift industry, we are trusted by the leading lift and escalator manufacturers worldwide, such as Schindler, Otis and TKE.
We have more than 25 years of experience and accumulated expertise in software development. As your dedicated expert in lift design, we help ensure your project is safe, future-ready, and competitive.
We are happy to support you in using DigiPara Liftdesigner and DigiPara Elevatorarchitect.
Implement our software solution into your workflow and take on even the most complex construction projects with confidence—in no time at all!