Denver Museum of Nature and Science

• Replace aging escalators without major building modifications or the removal of museum installations
• Minimize disruption to visitor flow while maintaining safe access throughout the modernization process

Modernizing escalators in a museum more than 100 years old required a solution that could enhance performance while retaining existing architectural and aesthetic elements. With the museum's escalators approaching the end of their operational lifecycle, the challenge was to deliver a major upgrade while minimizing disruption and preserving the visitor experience.

KONE addressed this challenge using EcoMod modernization technology, which reused the existing truss and eliminated the need to demolish floors or building facades. The modernization also introduced reversible operation, giving museum staff greater flexibility to manage visitor flow during exhibitions and events.

Ahead-of-schedule completion
The modernization project was completed three weeks ahead of schedule.

Minimal disruption
During the modernization period, the museum recorded a record-breaking 1.8 million visitors while disruption to visitor circulation remained minimal.

Improved people flow management
The new escalators can operate in either direction, giving museum operators greater flexibility to manage visitor traffic during exhibitions and events.

• Two sets of KONE EcoMod escalators