1 800 663 6556The Artira Inclined Platform Lift Solves Space Limits At Houston Airport
- Product: Artira
- Installed by: Home Elevator of Texas
- Location: Bush International Houston Airport, TX
- Installation year: 2025
Accessibility projects often follow predictable patterns: identify the route, select the equipment, plan the installation, and make sure everything meets code. But every so often, a project breaks the mold and becomes a showcase of what’s possible when thoughtful design, technical skill, and a flexible product come together in an unexpected environment. This month, that distinction goes to Home Elevator of Texas, whose recent installation inside Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport demonstrates how an accessibility solution can succeed even when the setting seems to be working against it.
The project took place in one of the airport’s busiest back-of-house areas—a zone dominated by luggage systems constantly in motion. Conveyors weave through the space like an intricate mechanical landscape, leaving little room for anything that wasn’t planned into the facility from the start. When the airport launched a renovation that required the addition of an ADA-compliant route between levels, the design challenge became evident: any new equipment would need to work in an active industrial environment without interfering with the essential machinery that keeps passengers’ bags moving.
A Solution for a Space That Doesn’t Behave Like A Normal Building
One of the first obstacles the project team faced wasn’t a lack of ideas but the physical limitations of the site. Many accessibility products—particularly vertical lifts or compact elevators—simply weren’t feasible in this tightly layered mechanical setting. Even a slight expansion to the existing structure would have disrupted the conveyor lines and the electrical controls surrounding them. The team needed a completely different approach.
That turning point led to the selection of the Garaventa Lift Artira Inclined Platform Lift, a system specifically designed to travel along an existing stairway rather than occupying its own enclosed space. Because the Artira doesn’t require major structural changes, it offered a pathway that respected the layout of the conveyors, the emergency access routes, and the building’s operational flow. Instead of reshaping the space to fit the mobility equipment, the team found a product that fit the space exactly as it was.
For architects and builders, this project serves as a reminder that accessibility design doesn’t always need to fight the building. Sometimes, the right lift leverages what already exists, especially in locations where construction flexibility is limited.
A Unique Visual Requirement Turns Into a Design Opportunity
The baggage-handling level is more than a place for machinery; it’s a controlled environment with strict safety expectations. One of the airport’s non-negotiable standards is the use of high-visibility yellow on nearly all equipment. This color instantly alerts workers to potential hazards, improves visibility in a fast-paced area, and helps maintain consistency across different parts of the facility.
While many accessibility products offer limited aesthetic customization, the Artira can be tailored to meet specific finish requirements. This allowed Home Elevator of Texas to integrate the lift into the environment without altering the visual cues employees rely on. Instead of standing out as an unexpected addition, the finished lift feels like it belongs there – an intentional part of the workspace rather than an afterthought.
For end users and facility managers, this is more than a cosmetic detail. In industrial settings, visual continuity supports safety and workflow awareness. The ability to match those standards ensures that accessibility doesn’t introduce new risks.
Executing an Installation Where Activity Never Pauses
The Artira’s modular design allowed the team to work efficiently within the airport’s schedule and spatial limitations. Instead of heavy construction, the installation focused on positioning the rail system, securing the platform, and ensuring that the lift could operate smoothly beside the conveyor equipment. The entire process was approached like a puzzle – every piece of equipment, tool, and technician needed to fit into a carefully managed sequence so that the airport’s rhythm stayed intact.
This level of planning reflects a key strength of the dealer community: the ability to handle non-traditional sites where logistical concerns are just as important as technical ones.
A Truly Collaborative Achievement!
While the equipment itself played an important role, the success of the project ultimately came down to collaboration. The airport team needed a dependable accessibility route that wouldn’t interfere with their infrastructure. Home Elevator of Texas brought deep experience, resourcefulness, and attention to detail. And the Artira provided the adaptability required for a space defined by movement, machinery, and safety protocols.
The result is an installation that improves accessibility for personnel and visitors who rely on mobility assistance, while maintaining the operational integrity of one of Texas’s most important transportation facilities.
This project reflects everything we look for when selecting a Project of the Month: a difficult site, an imaginative approach, a thoughtful application of the product, and a final result that elevates both function and design. The team at Home Elevator of Texas delivered a solution that proves accessibility can be achieved in even the most unconventional spaces.
