At Penny Hydraulics, we pride ourselves on delivering world-class lifting solutions that enhance both functionality and aesthetics. In 2023, we had the privilege of bringing our 45 years of expertise to the forefront during the renovation of the iconic Old War Office (OWO) building in London’s Whitehall. This historic building, which once housed esteemed statesmen like Sir Winston Churchill, underwent a remarkable transformation to become The OWO, a new hospitality destination.
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Integral to the interior upgrade of The OWO were four bespoke winching systems designed and installed by our expert team. These systems played a crucial role in ensuring safe, easy, and concealed access to the building’s majestic chandeliers, contributing to the ambiance and allure of the space.
As Royal Warrant Holders, we’ve had the honour of supplying lifting solutions to some of the UK’s most notable buildings, including Buckingham Palace and the British Museum.
For The OWO project, our team meticulously crafted three winching systems for the Ballroom, each boasting a lifting capacity of 110kg. Utilising twin-wire rope electric hoists, we ensured smooth and steady lifting and lowering actions, maintaining the safety and stability of the lighting systems.
A fourth winching system, located above the Grand Staircase of Raffles London at The OWO, required a larger lifting capacity of 650kg. Again, we employed twin-wire electric hoists to meet this demand, while ensuring seamless integration into the building’s architecture.
One of the key challenges of the project was ensuring that the winch equipment remained completely hidden from view when the chandeliers were at their highest position. Our team’s expertise in specialised engineering enabled us to seamlessly integrate the systems into the fabric of the building, without causing any damage to existing fixtures and fittings.
Safety was, and always is, our top priority. All our systems are fully compliant with UK and international lifting regulations and standards. To further enhance safety measures, we specified custom, allowing operators to maintain a clear line of sight at all times, thereby reducing risks.
The successful completion of The OWO project underscores the importance of safe and expertly engineered design in creating atmospheric lighting within a unique setting. At Penny Hydraulics, we continue to provide market-leading safety and reliability, ensuring that our lifting solutions meet the highest standards of excellence.
