News – Walker Consultants

Designing in a Shifting Elevator Industry

Walker Consultants — Fri, 29 May 2026 15:58:20 +0000

What the KONE–TK Elevator Merger Means for New Construction

Decisions made early in design have long-term implications. A recent shift in the elevator industry is poised to influence how those decisions are made.

The Acquisition: What Has Happened

Announced on April 29th, the acquisition of TK Elevator (TKE) by KONE Elevator Company (KONE) merges the engineering and technical resources of two (2) of the world’s leading elevator and escalator manufacturers, creating the largest elevator company in the world.

Early announcements have focused on the commercial aspects of the acquisition, the creation of the world’s largest elevator manufacturer, and the potential pricing pressure that this may have on the other major elevator manufacturers throughout the world.

Expanded Design Opportunities Through Combined Technology

From an R&D and technology standpoint, the combined engineering resources of these two companies are significant and complementary.

Each manufacturer gains access to previously independent technologies, particularly in the premium high-rise market.

For design teams, these complementary product offerings means access to a broader and more flexible set of solutions available through a single manufacturer. A few examples include, but are not limited, to the following:

TKE now has access to KONE’s “Ultra Rope” Suspension Technology for high rise applications allowing for greater travel distances, reduced suspended hoist machine loads, reduced power consumption, etc.
KONE now has access to TKE’s proven TWIN® Elevator Technology (uncoupled double deck technology) for improved efficiency and traffic handling over conventional double deck elevators in certain applications.
KONE now has access to TKE’s State-of-the-Art “Ropeless” Elevator Technology known as Multi® which has recently been certified by Liftinstituut in Europe for vertical passenger transport.

Considerations for Low- and Mid-Rise Projects

In the low- and mid-rise “value” and “commodity” level markets, Walker believes that there is a greater degree of product “overlap” between KONE and TKE.

In our opinion, we do not see any significant “technical” advantages of one manufacturers product over the other and we expect to see some product consolidation over the next 18 to 24 months.

Certain “architectural” and “structural” benefits related to various product “configurations” in a “Compact Gearless” hoist machine configuration as compared to a Machine Room Less (MRL) hoist machine configuration can be accomplished by either manufacturer’s products.

At this early stage, Walker does not have any additional information on the consolidation and/or phasing out of either manufacturer’s products.

Escalators and Moving Walks

Similarly, with respect to each manufacturer’s escalator and moving walk products, Walker Consultants does not have any additional information on the consolidation and/or phasing out of either manufacturer’s products.

What This Means for Your Projects

While many details are still emerging, this merger has the potential to influence:

How vertical transportation systems are designed and specified
The range of technologies available for complex, high-rise, and ultra high-rise buildings
Product availability and standardization over the next several years

Design teams should remain aware of how these changes may affect both current projects in development and future planning efforts.

Looking Ahead

Walker Consultants is actively monitoring this situation and remains in communication with strategic leaders at both organizations. As more information becomes available, we will continue to share insights to support informed design decisions.

As this merger progresses toward completion in the second quarter of 2027, the full impact on product offerings and system design will become clearer. In the meantime, understanding the direction of the industry can help position your projects for long-term success.

A Changing Elevator Landscape for Existing Buildings

Walker Consultants — Fri, 29 May 2026 15:29:23 +0000

What the KONE–TK Elevator Acquisition Means for Existing and Prospective Building Owners

The elevator industry is undergoing a significant shift that will directly impact building owners, operators, and anyone responsible for vertical transportation (VT) systems.

As this transition unfolds, for the ongoing health of the VT systems in your building, it is important to understand: What is changing? Why does it matter? And what should you be prepared for?

The Acquisition: What Has Happened

Expanded Technology and Product Access

From an R&D and technology standpoint the combined engineering resources of these two companies are significant and complementary.

Each manufacturer gains access to “singular” technologies particularly in the premium sector high rise elevator market.

These complementary product offerings means access to nearly double the number of vertical transportation solutions through a “single” manufacturer providing robust, resilient solutions for the most complex buildings worldwide.

What This Means for Existing Buildings

For modernization and adaptive reuse of “typical” existing buildings, Walker Consultants anticipates a significant degree of product “overlap” between KONE and TKE.

A couple of technical advantages to note:

TKE will have access to KONE’s “Ultra Rope” Suspension Technology for high rise applications allowing for greater travel distances, reduced suspended hoist machine loads, reduced electrical loads, etc.
For “underserved and underperforming” buildings, KONE will have access to TKE’s proven TWIN® Elevator Technology (uncoupled double deck technology) for improved efficiency and traffic handling, which can replace existing single deck elevators easier than retrofitting conventional double deck elevators.

In terms of each manufacturer’s standard quality product lines, Walker does not see any particular benefits of one manufacturer’s product over the other and we expect to see some product consolidation and/or phasing out of certain products over the next 18 to 24 months. This could negatively impact serviceability expediting “obsolescence” due to consumption of current parts inventories and accelerating modernization timelines.

Remaining service life of existing equipment will require additional attention to detail with respect to building portfolio acquisitions and disposals in conjunction with purchase and/or sales prices of real estate portfolio assets.

Anticipated Changes to Maintenance Agreements

Walker expects that the greatest amount of consolidation will happen to current preventive maintenance portfolios.

While specific consolidation plans have not yet been released, we expect clients will receive a new preventive maintenance agreement to be issued in about 10-12 months, as this merger is completed, that will include new terms with respect to equipment coverage, obsolescence, and commercial terms, etc.

For our clients whose current preventive maintenance agreement will expire prior to that, there may be a need to negotiate a temporary extension of your current maintenance agreement or develop a comprehensive maintenance agreement that protects your interests and provides continuity during this transition.

What You Should Be Thinking About Now

While many details are still emerging, this is an important moment to take a proactive approach:

Review the status and expiration timeline of your current maintenance agreements
Be prepared for changes to contract terms and service structures
Consider how evolving product offerings may impact future modernization, capital planning decisions, and/or acquisition or disposal of real estate portfolio assets

Our Commitment to You

Walker Consultants is actively monitoring this situation and remains in communication with strategic leaders at both companies. As more information becomes available, we will continue to provide updates and guidance to help you navigate these changes with clarity.

This merger will reshape the elevator industry—but with the right insight and planning, it can also present opportunities to improve system performance and long-term value.

Walker Consultants Recognized with ENR Award of Merit: Evermont Development

Walker Consultants — Thu, 28 May 2026 15:00:56 +0000

Walker Consultants Recognized with ENR Award of Merit: Evermont Development
Los Angeles, CA – November 2025

Walker Consultants is honored to announce that the Evermont development in Los Angeles has received an Award of Merit in the Office/Retail/Mixed-Use category as part of ENR’s 2025 Best Projects – West Region.

Evermont is a transformative mixed-use community providing 180 affordable homes for seniors and families, 40,000 square feet of retail space, a Metro innovation and training facility, and a welcoming public plaza. Central to the success of this development is its new 350-stall, standalone parking structure—designed and engineered by Walker Consultants as the project’s Prime Design Consultant, Architect of Record, and Engineer of Record. Our team led the full design process and construction-phase support for this critical mobility asset, ensuring safe, efficient access for residents, visitors, and retail patrons.

For more than three decades, the vacant site stood as a lingering reminder of the 1992 civil unrest. Today, Evermont represents renewal—bringing affordable housing, new shops and restaurants, essential community services, and a long-awaited sense of place to the Vermont Knolls neighborhood of South LA. Walker is proud to have played a leading role in bringing this culturally significant site back to life through the delivery of its modern, high-performance parking facility.

Sustainability remained a project cornerstone, with residential components targeting LEED Gold certification and commercial spaces pursuing LEED certification, all while meeting CalGreen standards. The project team also overcame complex site conditions—including a buried basement and unexpected asbestos piping—requiring swift remediation, rigorous environmental testing, and close coordination with city agencies.

As Prime Designer for the parking structure, Walker Consultants was proud to collaborate with BRIDGE Housing, Primestor Development, and Suffolk Construction in realizing this community-centered vision.

Congratulations to our project partners and to all 2025 ENR Best Projects honorees.

Think Elevators Aren’t Safe? Think Again.

Walker Consultants — Fri, 15 May 2026 15:08:48 +0000

Elevators are one of the safest forms of transportation.

In the United States, people take about 18 billion trips on elevators each year, yet there are only around one injury per every million rides with the majority of those occurring during maintenance and inspections, not to passengers. Behind every smooth elevator ride is a world of clever engineering, maintenance, and inspections that keep everything running safely. Let’s explore how elevators are designed with redundant safety systems, and what our vertical transportation consultants do to make sure those systems stay in top shape.

1. Multiple Ropes and Double Bottom Cylinders = Built-In Redundancy

Most passenger elevators fall into two main categories: Traction and Hydraulic. Hydraulic elevators utilize cylinders with double bottom encasements to contain the hydraulic fluid in the event of a failure to the cylinder. Modern passenger traction elevators are suspended by no less than three steel wire ropes, though most use anywhere from four to eight ropes. Depending on the size of the ropes, a single rope may be strong enough to hold the entire elevator car with a full passenger load. In short, both hydraulic and traction elevators rely on redundant safety features to ensure passenger safety.

2. Safeties To Stop the Elevator If It Over Speeds or Moves When It Shouldn’t

Traction elevators have additional built-in safety features to prevent them from free falling down the hoistway in the event of a catastrophic failure. They have a governor that uses centrifugal force to sense an overspeed condition to engage the safeties and stop the elevator gently and securely. Newer elevators also utilize an emergency braking system that stops the elevator if it senses the unintended movement of the elevator.

3. Shock Absorbers in The Pit

Even if all else failed (which is incredibly unlikely), elevators are equipped with buffers in the pit. Depending on the rated speed of the elevator the buffers will use some combination of springs and oil dampers to soften the impact in an emergency. These are similar in function to the shock absorbers in your car but engineered for the weights and impacts that may be experienced with elevators.

4. Maintenance: The Unsung Hero of Elevator Safety

All these safety systems rely on expert maintenance and inspections. That’s where Vertical Transportation Consultants come in. They work with building owners and elevator service providers to:

Evaluate wear and tear on critical components
Evaluate maintenance levels of the equipment
Confirm safety tests are being performed and documented correctly
Recommend upgrades or replacements when needed
Verify compliance with code and performance standards

Routine checks, precise calibration, and detailed reporting keep your elevator not just functional but safe.

Elevator Safety Is No Accident

So, next time you ride an elevator, remember it’s more than just cables and buttons. It’s a highly engineered system with multiple layers of protection and an expert team behind the scenes keeping it all in motion.

If you’re responsible for elevator systems in your building, our consultants are here to help ensure everything runs smoothly, safely, and efficiently.

Walker Consultants Announces Promotions

Walker Consultants — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 20:22:25 +0000

Walker Consultants is excited to announce the following promotions.

Thank you to our outstanding team!

Ann Arbor

Dave Parish to Principal

Atlanta

Jeremy Greenwald to Director of Planning, Operations/Technology

Alex Katz to Director of Restoration

Walker Ozier to Director of Building Envelope

Marion Parker to Vice President

Boston

Brandon Schrenker to Director of Design

Marc Stonier to Managing Principal/PR

Corporate

Nicole Cummings to Talent Acquisition Lead – P/OT & Corporate/Admin

Sean Connolly to Vice President

Lindsey Eggerding to Talent Acquisition Manager – Structures & Systems

Mari Feuer to Principal

Gil Hernandez to Project Accountant I

Sara Putwen to Marketing Manager – Central Region

Linda Ridpath to Marketing Manager – Northeast Region

Sepehr Sabooree to Principal

Taylor Wells to Talent Acquisition Specialist – Structures & Systems

Minneapolis

Shivani Siddagangaiah to Design Engineer III

New York

Sara Holcomb to Director of Building Envelope

Philadelphia

Jim Pudleiner to Senior Vice President

Washington D.C.

Kirby McCleary to Vice President

Joesph Wilcher to Principal

Congratulations to all!

View previous promotions at Walker Consultants.

The Secret to a Smooth Ride: Vertical Transportation Consultants

Walker Consultants — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:13:15 +0000

When people think about the design and operation of a building, elevators and escalators aren’t usually the first things that come to mind. Yet, vertical transportation (VT) systems are the backbone of modern structures—moving thousands of people every day safely and efficiently. Whether you’re planning a new development, managing an existing property, or facing modernization decisions, a Vertical Transportation consultant can be one of your most valuable partners.

Here are five key reasons why you need one.

1) Safety & Code Compliance

Why it matters: VT equipment operates under strict building regulations.

A Vertical Transportation consultant ensures your systems meet safety codes, ADA accessibility standards, and local compliance requirements—protecting passengers and shielding owners from costly violations, liability risks, and delays.

2) Optimized Design & Performance

Why it matters: Every building’s traffic patterns are unique.

Consultants analyze building type, traffic flow, and usage patterns to design systems that minimize wait times, reduce congestion, and keep people moving smoothly—so your investment delivers for tenants and visitors.

3) Cost Control & Lifecycle Planning

Why it matters: VT is a major capital and operating expense.

From bid review to contract terms and long-term planning, consultants provide unbiased evaluations that help you avoid unnecessary costs, negotiate better service agreements, and time upgrades or replacements correctly.

4) Independent Expertise

Why it matters: Objective advice reduces risk.

Unlike manufacturers or service providers, VT consultants don’t sell equipment. Their only priority is your best interest—ensuring objective recommendations on equipment selection, modernization strategies, and performance evaluations.

5) Maintenance & Modernization Oversight

Why it matters: Reliability and compliance require consistent oversight.

Consultants monitor service quality, confirm contractors meet obligations, and provide expert recommendations—aimed at reliable operation, reduced downtime and emergency repairs, extended asset life, and compliance with local and state codes.

Vertical transportation systems are too important to leave to chance. A dedicated consultant brings safety, efficiency, and long-term value that building owners and managers depend on. By partnering with an expert, you’ll ensure your elevators and escalators don’t just move people—they elevate the entire building experience.

Next Step

Ready to evaluate or modernize your VT systems? Our consultants can help.

Our New Nashville Office

Walker Consultants — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 22:47:10 +0000

Walker is excited to announce our new office location in Nashville, Tennessee. As we expand our presence in the region, we are looking forward to supporting clients with services including: vertical transportation services, restoration, and beyond.

Meet Our Nashville Office

Leading our Nashville team is Steve Shanks, QEI, Walker’s National Director of Vertical Transportation. Steve is a certified elevator inspector with over 20 years of industry experience specializing in the design, modernization, and comprehensive management of vertical transportation systems and consulting services.

NYC Local Law 55 & Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment

Walker Consultants — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 00:17:36 +0000

Helping You Stay Ahead of Compliance

New York City’s Local Law 55 introduces major changes to parking facilities. Whether you’re planning a new garage or updating an existing one, Walker Consultants can help you understand what’s required and how to prepare—starting now.

Who Must Comply?

New or significantly renovated parking garages and open lots.
Existing public parking facilities with 10 or more spaces licensed by the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), by January 1, 2035.

What’s Required?

Owners must:

Install EV chargers or EVSE-ready infrastructure in a percentage of parking spaces.
Submit a report of compliance to renew their DCWP license (for existing facilities).
Ensure up to 60% of spaces are capable of supporting EVSE in the future.

In some cases, waivers may be granted for structural or financial constraints.

Key Dates

April 6, 2024	Law enacted by NYC Council
April 18, 2024	Signed into law by the NYC Mayor
June 30, 2026	Required City Report
June 1, 2035	Retrofit requirements must be met

What Walker Can Do

From feasibility studies to full compliance support, our experts make it easy to meet LL55 requirements—on time and on budget.

We help clients:

Conduct EV readiness assessments and structural evaluations.
Create and submit your EV compliance report.
Provide design recommendations, layout coordination, and load management strategies.
Navigate complex codes and agency expectations with clarity.

Start Now

The sooner we’re involved, the more flexibility and cost control you’ll have. Contact our team to start your EV strategy today.

Nicholas Frezza, AIA, NCARB
Director of Consulting Services

Contact Nicholas

Introducing: Walker’s Kansas City Office

Walker Consultants — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 21:40:00 +0000

We’re excited to announce the opening of Walker’s new office in Kansas City. While our local experts have supported projects in the city and across the region, our new brick-and-mortar location deepens our commitment to the area and provides a base for exceptional client service. From building envelope consulting to property condition assessments, parking design and consulting, restoration, and beyond — we’re proud to offer our full range of services right here in KC.

Meet Our Local Experts

Joelle Lattimer, PE, CxA+BE, BECxP, and Brian Hulsey, PE are our local leaders and experts in Kansas City.

Contact our Team

Walker Wins Three IPMI Awards of Excellence

Walker Consultants — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 15:00:16 +0000

Walker was recognized by the International Parking & Mobility Institute (IPMI) with an Apex Award in the Architecture Design category and in the Facility Design: Stand-Alone category for the Stamford Transportation Center Garage.

The garage is one of the first prominent structures drivers see when approaching downtown Stamford from the south, whether via I-95 or city streets, so its façade needed to be iconic.

IMPI also recognized Walker’s Christian Street Garage Facility in the Design: Mixed-Use category.

This project integrates essential infrastructure and takes a holistic approach to urban renewal. It serves as a cornerstone for enhancing community interactions and catalyzing urban revitalization.