I was thinking of a design that would be interesting and was wondering if it already existed somewhere and if it would be possible. I was wondering if having elevators run on the outside of the building be possible/ has it been done. I think it would a awesome sight from the street watching a row of elevators on the outside of the building running up and down, it would almost be like a piece of art. It would also be an awesome experience for elevator riders themselves.

 

I guess this is kind of what I was thinking but with less elevators

 

http://www.quocunque.com/where/images/napoli_direzionale_01.jpg

The Renaissance Center in Detroit has the elevator tower (a glass cylinder) on the exterior of the building (stair towers too).  I'm not sure if you mean for the elevator car to be actually exposed to the exterior though. That can't be done in the US since it violates code I believe, you'd be exposing all the mechanical components to the elements.

An outdoor elevator would be terrifying.  The Nationwide building in Columbus is another example of a glass elevator you can see moving from outside.  It even kinda looks like the building in that picture, except that the elevator goes along the side edge.

Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawd, you and your "questions"!  I know you were a, "are we there yet?" "why?" kid!

 

Several building have elevators on the outside, the GM building in D'twat was mentioned

Others i've been in

An outdoor elevator would be terrifying.  The Nationwide building in Columbus is another example of a glass elevator you can see moving from outside.  It even kinda looks like the building in that picture, except that the elevator goes along the side edge.

 

WUSS!

^hahahahha

 

thanks for the pictures.

 

And thanks everyone else for the information.

 

 

Imagine something like this but actually outside of a building and more durable cars

 

This is kind of interesting. A smaller building.

If you are interested "My Two Sense's" last photo is the Westin Bonaventure, in LA. 

While those are good examples of the principle the greatest outdoor elevator sequence and architectural detailing belongs to Richard Rodgers's Lloyds Building in London.  The elevators are complete glass except for the doors and floor.  The ceiling of the cab is glass and the corner joints are held together 4 small interior angle clamps about 1" high and 5" corner to corner. The view is needless to say completely un-obstructed, and phenomenal.

You can google search images for the building and see what I mean (plus it saves me downsizing all my shots). Or just go to this shot http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2159362870083335073RereCW

Nationwide in Columbus. The building is terrifying but not for that reason.