A Dutch design agency is developing a new solution to moving vertically between floors in a building: a system that relies on “vertical walking.”

The Rombout Frieling Lab has created a prototype for a new technology called Vertiwalk that makes it easier for the ageing population and people with disabilities to move vertically between floors.

This “smart staircase” features vertical rails and a gripping system and is operated without the need for a power supply. It is less expensive, easier to maintain and occupies less space than elevators, escalators or traditional stairs. According to its creators, only 10 per cent of the effort of walking up stairs is needed to bridge multiple floors either up or down.

“Two billion people are moving into cities over the next 25 years," said the agency. "We are forced to make optimal use of our vertical space. But how do we get there? Increasingly, stairs become bottlenecks with greater heights and an ageing society. Elevators are often no alternative: too complex, expensive and energy-consuming.

“We are developing a solution for the growing number of people who are unable to take stairs, but moreover offers new possibilities for urban architecture.”

The Vertiwalk was exhibited at Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven at the end of October, and has also featured at the Venice Architecture Biennale, which will come to a close this month.