TK Elevator
The TK Elevator Testturm is a skyscraper that has become a tourist attraction. But it’s not in a big city, nor does it have apartments or offices. So what is it for?
With a height of 243 meters, this elevator and escalator company TK Elevator is dedicated exclusively to testing and development of high-speed deviceswhich makes it a true “vertical laboratory”, as described by .
The main mission of this tower, located near the town of Rottweil in the German Black Forest, is test the elevators before being installed in skyscrapers around the world. “Test towers are essential for ensure the safety of elevators in extreme situations“, explained Tomio Pihkalatechnology director at Kone, in an interview with
These installations are therefore used to simulate free fall and other critical scenarios to check braking systems and other safety mechanisms. These tests are capable of reaching up to 18 meters per seconda dizzying pace that requires a real environment to verify its operation.
In recent times, the TK Elevator Testturm has also become a tourist attraction. This is because, in 2017, the company built, at the top of the building, a observation platform which, allegedly, is the highest in all of Germany.
Visitors can, at the top of the tower, enjoy panoramic views of the Black Forest and, on clear days, even the Swiss Alps.
Although Testturm is not the only test tower in the world, its uniqueness makes it one global reference, writes El Confidencial. There are similar facilities in cities such as Atlanta (USA) or Zhongshan (China), but the one in Rottweil stands out for its unique focus on development and elevator testingeven contributing to the safety and reliability of these systems in high-rise projects.
Once you know its history, it’s not so bizarre that one of the largest skyscrapers in Europe is located in the middle of the forestin an area where these tests can be carried out without disturbing residents.
