Case Study Archive

Cinemacon 2026

The Future of Cinema Safety & Style: Modular Railing Solutions for the Modern Screen

Welcome CinemaCon 2026 Attendees! Discover why the world’s leading theater chains are ditching custom fabrication for the precision and speed of Promenaid.

The Dark Room Dilemma: Solved.

Theater construction and renovations often face a “late-stage” bottleneck: handrails. Between custom measurements and long fabrication lead times, missing an opening date is a constant risk.

Promenaid changes the script. Our modular system is engineered for the unique demands of cinemas, combining 100% ADA-compliant safety with a high-end aesthetic that enhances—rather than interrupts—the movie-going experience.

The Promenaid Edge: Why the Big Players are Switching

Whether you’re an architect, a theater owner, or a general contractor, Promenaid is designed to make your next project 10x easier.

Zero Welding, Zero Gluing: Assemble on-site with standard tools. Shave weeks off your renovation schedule.

On-Site Adjustability: Our patented Sprocketlock™ technology adjust to any as-built slope or stair condition instantly. No more waiting for re-fabrication.

Integrated Channelux™ LED Lighting: Eliminate “blind steps” without washing out the screen. Our regressed LED modules are invisible from the seats but cast an even, code-compliant glow on the walking surface.

High-End Durability: Commercial-grade anodized finishes (including Satin Black, Silver) and TrueWood™ options withstand 10,000+ patrons a week without looking worn.

Tailored Solutions for Every Stakeholder

For Architects & Specifiers

Precision Meets Compliance. Specify with confidence using our comprehensive BIM/Revit library. Our systems bridge the gap between industrial safety requirements and modern luxury design.

For Owners & Operators

Maximize ROI & Safety. Standardize safety across your entire chain. Used exclusively by Cineplex Canada for all new builds and renovations, Promenaid reduces liability and enhances the VIP atmosphere.

For General Contractors

Stay on Schedule. Every Time.

All components are available from stock and ship in days, not months. Never miss an opening date because of a railing delay again.

See It in Action

Used and Trusted By:

Cineplex Royalmount Montreal: New construction with 5+ auditorium, Family Entertainement Center and more.

Detroit House of Comedy: Renovation and reclaiming of a historical building in downtown Detroit.

Boston College Stokes and Merkert Lecture Halls: Renovation of two buildings on the campus. Installation of new handrails railings with brackets positioned precisely in the existing locations to preserve the delicate sound panels and wood walls.

Let’s Build a Safer, Better Cinema Together.

Are you at CinemaCon? Let’s talk.

Visit us at Booth 833J to see the Sprocketlock™ tech in person.

Schedule a 1-on-1 Theater Safety Audit: We’ll review your upcoming project plans and show you how to save time and cost.

Download the “Cinema Architect’s Spec Kit“: Technical drawings, LED photometrics, and Revit models.

Modern Theater Design

THEATER ACCESSIBILITY

Retrofitting for Modern Theater Design

In the world of theater construction and renovation, integrating essential elements such as handrails, guardrails and safety lighting presents a unique set of challenges.

CHALLENGES

Guardrails

Almost non-existent prior to the advent of terraced seating, guardrails with handrails at the standard 36” and shorter custom heights that don’t obstruct views are now a major infrastructure element throughout the entire space. Traditional solutions use costly materials, components from multiple manufacturers that lack structural and visual integration, long lead times, and excessive labor hours requiring specialized trades.

Safety Lighting

Theaters must achieve a delicate balance between providing code-compliant illumination and avoiding glare that disturbs the audience or interferes with the screen. Legacy systems fall short of modern standards and require replacement during remodeling. Many contemporary systems, though compliant, are cumbersome and produce glare, necessitating their recess into walls near floor level and the use of dedicated electrical conduits.

Cineplex Canada turned to Promenaid for its comprehensive cinema solution. The modular system quickly assembles on the jobsite and easily adapts to any differences between architectural plans and as-built dimensions.

SOLUTIONS

Guardrails & Infill Panels:

Cineplex opted for the Promenaid system as it met all their requirements for versatility, strength, aesthetics, and, very importantly, ease of maintenance – especially with the addition of in-theater food services and the ever-present hot buttered popcorn.

As with every Promenaid product, all elements integrated visually and structurally. Guardrails were configured as 36” floor-mounted on stairways and 26” fascia-mounted if mounted in front of a row of seating. Aluminum, powder-coated infill panels quickly fasten to the guardrail and feature “stock” punched patterns or laser-cut customized designs across a full range of transparencies.

Cineplex chose the Promenaid standard “lozenge” perforation at a 42% transparency which was fabricated and delivered on schedule.

Handrails with Modular LEDs Designed for Movie Theaters

Engineered specially for theater environments the Promenaid Channelux Focus™ LED delivers floor-directed safety lighting with no horizontal glare that would distract the audience or affect the screen. Unlike traditional wall sconces installed at floor level, Channelux LEDs seamlessly integrate into the handrail. This innovative design provides safety during emergencies while eliminating the need for additional lighting fixtures and electrical conduits, don’t require licensed electricians for installation and connects directly to the theater projection system for dimming control.

Outcomes and benefits

Within a single auditorium, the Promenaid Handrail Cinema package delivered several advantages:

– Aesthetic appeal with elegant styling

– Rapid lead times for quick production and delivery

– Budget-friendly materials that keep expenses under control

– Fast and efficient installation processes that save time and labor

Adopting the Promenaid system across hundreds of theaters ensures consistency in design, creating a uniform aesthetic nationwide. This standardization significantly reduces planning and sourcing time, as there is no need to reinvent the process for each new theater. Moreover, as contractors become increasingly familiar with the system, installations become progressively faster and more efficient, further streamlining the overall process.

If you have questions about theater accessibility, contact us and we’ll be happy to help!

Gansevoort Hotel NYC

Gansevoort hotel nyc

Maintenance is crucial in the hospitality industry, and with 20 years of experience in New York City’s Meatpacking District, the Gansevoort Hotel has become a true expert. The architectural bronze handrail with brass hardware featured replaced a galvanized handrail to transform a staircase for guest use.

OUC Outdoor Pedestrian Bridge

OUC St. Cloud Operations and Maintenance Center

Net-Zero Energy Campus DesignED by Jacobs

The Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) Operations and Maintenance Center, designed by Jacobs Architecture, opened May 16, 2024. This net-zero energy campus spans 24 acres in St. Cloud, Florida, and meets stringent sustainability standards, including LEED Gold, the WELL Building Standard, and Fitwel certification.

Jacobs Architecture engaged Promenaid to resolve handrail and guardrail technical challenges for the architectural centerpiece of the new facility –– a ¼-mile outdoor illuminated pedestrian bridge. Read more about these challenges and the project results below.

Acre Campus

Mile Pedestrian Bridge

feet of handrail

All-Weather LED's

Tekpost™

CHALLENGE:

Jacobs Architecture specified Promenaid Handrails to address two critical design challenges:

1. Handrails and Guardrails on an Outdoor Pedestrian Bridge

Suspended ¼ mile long curved walkway

Architectural centerpiece of the facility

Walking surface with variable depth of concrete pour on a steel pan

Sloped across width, grade changes along length

Electrical conduits buried beneath concrete surface

Core drilling or pre-set forms for posts not structurally sound

Necessitated surface mounting with minimal, small diameter through-bolts

Achieving vertical post orientation had to offset compound slope angles

2. LED Lighting Integrated in Handrails

Architectural feature and life-safety element

Initial solutions problematic due to high costs, sourcing difficulties, and poor aesthetics

Installation of conventional LED lighting would be difficult, time-consuming, and costly

solution:

Jacobs Architecture specified the Promenaid Tekpost™ handrail and guardrail system with integrated Channelux™ LED lighting to meet all requirements: elegance, affordability, simplicity and sustainability.

Tekpost™ Handrail and Guardrail System

Simplifies installing vertical posts on sloped surfaces

Base rotation offsets the compound slope of the pan, ensuring a precise and secure fit

Secures to surface with a single through bolt, crucial for the variable concrete thickness and avoiding electrical conduits

Channelux™ LED Lighting

Aligns perfectly with the project’s sustainability goals and design vision

All-weather LED lighting system designed specifically for Promenaid handrails

Eliminates coordinating with multiple manufacturers

Streamlines procurement

Accelerates installation

RESULT:

The OUC St. Cloud Operations and Maintenance Center demonstrates how thoughtful design, and the right choice of materials can overcome complex construction challenges.

Supported by Promenaid team support, instructional videos and custom shop drawings, Ajax Building Company executed the installation without requiring specialized subcontractors, reducing costs and speeding up the timeline.

The Tekpost^TM system surpassed aesthetic and functional expectations, while the integrated Channelux™ LED lighting enhanced safety and visual appeal, contributing to the campus’s sustainable design.

The OUC St. Cloud Operations and Maintenance Center now stands as a model of innovative, sustainable design, with Promenaid handrails playing a key role in its success.

UPMC Cole Health Network

UPMc health network

a unique need with a single solution

UPMC is a modern health network serving north central Pennsylvania. In 2021, UPMC provided an astounding $1.5 billion in community benefits. Also in 2021, UPMC had a unique need at their UPMC Cole location. Read more below about this single-solution project below.

glass wall

feet of handrail

brackets

bends

solution

pRoblem:

IKM Architecture was tasked with fitting a handrail onto a wall made of windows at UPMC Cole. They needed a solution that was code-compliant for a health clinic setting, durable, and maintained the modern appeal of the existing window wall. What seemed like a simple task proved to be difficult as the team was turned away by countless handrail manufacturers who could not provide product to fit the existing space.

solution:

Promenaid quickly utilized pieces from their modular handrail system to custom-fit a solution for the glass wall. The result was a code-compliant handrail that met all safety requirements for a health clinic setting. Additionally, the handrail proved to be highly durable, ensuring longevity in a heavy-traffic area. One of the most remarkable aspects of this solution for IKM was that the new handrail from Promenaid retained the modern appeal of the existing window wall. The handrail seamlessly integrated into the design, complementing the aesthetics without compromising on functionality. Overall, the collaboration between IKM Architecture and Promenaid highlighted the importance of innovative and adaptable solutions, meeting the specific needs of the project and enhancing the overall user experience in a timely fashion.

BAPTIST HEALTH HEALTHCARE FACILITIES

BAPTIST HEALTH

RELIABLE SOLUTIONS WHERE THEY ARE NEEDED MOST

Baptist Health, founded in 1955, is a leading healthcare provider serving families throughout the Jacksonville region with high-quality, comprehensive care for all stages of life. As the most preferred healthcare provider in the area, Baptist Health takes pride in its growing circle of care, which includes nationally accredited hospitals, including the region’s sole children’s hospital, along with over 200 primary care and specialty physician practices, children’s specialty clinics, home health care, behavioral health, occupational health, rehabilitation services, and urgent care. Promenaid is honored to have worked with Baptist Health on several projects summarized below.

mission

facilities

patient visits

0 K

staff members

feet of handrail

0 K

pRoblem:

Facing the challenge of ensuring safe and accessible facilities for their patients and staff, Baptist Health sought suitable handrail solutions for their extensive healthcare facilities totaling over 15,000 feet of handrail. Their in-house architecture firm conducted thorough research and identified Promenaid as the ideal choice, impressed by its aesthetic appeal, ease of installation, availability, and durability, crucial attributes for busy healthcare facilities.

solution:

Throughout collaborations, Baptist Health effectively addressed their need for reliable and visually appealing handrails that blend seamlessly into their healthcare environment. The choice to use Promenaid aligns with their commitment to providing exceptional care and maintaining a safe and supportive setting for patients, staff, and visitors alike.

BOSTON COLLEGE EXPANSION

BOSTON COLLEGE

renovation OBSTACLES lead to a single solution

The Boston College main campus is situated on a picturesque 338-acre hilltop overlooking the city of Boston. It features a blend of historic and modern architecture, providing students with a beautiful and serene learning environment. The campus is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including libraries, research centers, laboratories, and recreational spaces. Promenaid was honored to be apart of a recent remodel project where work was done on the Stokes and Merkert buildings.

lecture halls

brackets

feet of handrail

obstructions

solution

pRoblem:

Boston College embarked on a renovation project for two buildings; Stokes and Merkert. The architectural team faced a unique challenge during the renovation, as they needed to mount new handrails on existing wood panels (photos below). Due to the pre-determined horizontal alignment, finding a suitable handrail solution proved to be a difficult task.

solution:

To the architectural firms delight, Promenaid’s brackets were designed to be mounted anywhere, offering flexibility in accommodating the existing horizontal alignment requirements without specialized labor. Promenaid worked closely with the architecture firm to understand the specific needs of the project. They collaborated to specify the product and ensure its functionality within the lecture halls’ context. Recognizing that this was the building team’s first time using Promenaid’s handrail system, Promenaid provided guidance throughout the installation process. To everyones delight, the job was completed in record time, without any issues.

THE DETROIT HOUSE OF COMEDY

THE DETROIT HOUSE OF COMEDY

Enhancing Accessibility and Aesthetics

The Detroit House of Comedy welcomes a diverse crowd as they hosts the nations top touring standup comedy headliners. To maintain a safe and aesthetically pleasing venue, the Detroit House of Comedy underwent a complete remodel in 2022 that Promenaid was honored to be a part of.

comedy club

seats

feet of handrail

bends

brackets

pRoblem:

The Detroit House of Comedy features four aisles to allow guests to access their seating. Each aisle measures less than 6 feet wide, meaning that according to code, center railings are not required and could even cause an obstruction. Because of this, the venue opted for non-continuous handrails on either side of the walkways. However, the management faced challenges in finding suitable handrails that could be customized on-site to fit the unique dimensions of the aisles.

solution:

Promenaid was easily able to plan and ship the Detroit House of Comedy solution. Promenaid supplied handrails, bends, and brackets that could be cut to length and customized on-site by the venues existing renovation team. This allowed for a precise fit, ensuring that the handrails seamlessly integrated with the existing layout and provided maximum coverage.

"As I was about to purchase these railings and figure them out on my own through the website, you saved me a considerable amount of time and money by responding to the email inquiry I sent with your timely response. As a token of my sincere gratitude I'm happy to give you these pictures."

-GEOFF, REVEL DESIGN BUILD

INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

indianapolis motor speedway

a victorious race to the finish after an unplanned pit stop

This case study revolves around the installation of Promenaid handrails at the prestigious Indianapolis Motor Speedway Golf Course, Brickyard Crossing. With just 12 days remaining before the Indy 500 event, a last-minute request to meet compliance needs posed a significant challenge.

days

stairwells

steps

ramps

feet of handrail

pRoblem:

In the weeks leading up to the prestigious Indy 500 race, the developers at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Golf Course, Brickyard Crossing, realized that their newly remodeled facility lacked appropriate handrail infrastructure to meet compliance needs. With the event just 12 days away, the team faced a significant challenge to find a solution that would allow the space to have its grand opening.

solution:

Understanding the urgency of the situation, Promenaid ensured the development team there would be prompt shipment of the materials to the golf course. Because of the modular design of Promenaid products, creating an ADA compliant design was possible in under a day. Despite having never worked with Promenaid handrails before, the installation team approached the project with enthusiasm and a determination to deliver exceptional results. By partnering with Promenaid, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Golf Course, Brickyard Crossing, successfully met compliance needs in record time, allowing the grand opening to take place during the event of the year.

ADD A QUOTE

– Jonathon Dilworth, C & D Partners

THE POWER HOUSE COMMUNITY

THE POWER HOUSE

Seamless Integration and Ease of Installation at The Power House

The Power House community in Rock Hill, South Carolina, is a newly developed and prestigious destination. Nestled within a historic mill, this community features luxury apartments and a vibrant food hall. With a perfect blend of modern amenities and preserved heritage, The Power House offers residents and visitors an exceptional living experience. From its stunning architectural design to its convenient location, this community captures the essence of upscale living while honoring the rich history of Rock Hill’s industrial past.

community

stairwells

steps

ramps

feet of handrail

CHALLENGE:

The Power House was undergoing a renovation project to transform it into luxury apartments and a food hall. As part of the renovation, the developers needed to install handrails and guardrails throughout the premises to ensure safety and accessibility. However, they faced the challenge of finding handrails and guardrails that were easy to acquire, compatible with the building’s old architecture, and straightforward to install since their team had never installed handrails before.

solution:

Promenaid handrails and guardrails emerged as the ideal solution for The Power House community, providing simplicity, versatility, responsive customer service, and innovative options to meet their specific requirements. The developers were first impressed by a removable guardrail offered for the stage to allow patrons to access the area when performances were not taking place. Beyond design, the availability of detailed installation guides, videos, and documentation ensured that the developers had access to clear instructions and reference materials. This valuable online support empowered the developers to confidently install the handrails, even as first-time installers, reducing the likelihood of errors or delays. Even better, the handrails required zero lead time and were able to be assembled off-site when the weather did not cooperate on installation day.