A Custom Lift Engineered for a Grand Design

Mountainside Property, Buderim, Sunshine Coast, Queensland

Set on a dramatic hillside location, this architecturally ambitious home required an equally bespoke lift solution—one capable of meeting extreme site constraints while integrating seamlessly into the design vision. Manufactured locally at our Brisbane factory, the result is a fully customised Phoenix lift installed within a free-standing aluminium shaft, delivered under some of the most challenging conditions we’ve encountered.

This project was later showcased on Grand Designs Australia, highlighting the collaboration, engineering, and precision required to achieve the perfect outcome.

The Brief

The homeowners and builder required a lift that could:

• Provide reliable external vertical transport across multiple levels of the steep hillside home

• Be fully customised to suit the architectural design and future accessibility needs

• Arrive on site as a complete structural solution that the builder could directly clad

• Meet stringent engineering requirements, including wind category C2 compliance

• Blend with the modern aesthetic of the property without compromising views or natural light

The Challenge

The site presented significant logistical and engineering constraints:

• Steep hillside terrain made conventional installation impossible

• The lift required crane placement over the house, demanding precise timing and coordination

• The structure needed to support direct external cladding applied by the builder

• High-wind exposure required the shaft to be engineered and certified to Wind Category C2

• On-site access limitations meant the lift had to be delivered as a complete, self-supporting system

The Solution

We designed and manufactured a custom Phoenix lift at our Brisbane facility, built within a free-standing aluminium lift shaft engineered specifically for the site conditions.

Key elements of the solution included:

• A pre-engineered, self-supporting shaft suitable for builder-applied cladding

• Aluminium construction, chosen for its strength-to-weight ratio and long-term durability in exposed conditions

• Full Wind Category C2 engineering certification

• A lift system tailored to the home’s layout, accessibility considerations, and architectural design

• Coordination with the builder to schedule a crane lift over the existing structure, ensuring safe, seamless positioning of the shaft

The result was a precise fit that allowed the builder to immediately begin cladding the structure, fully integrating it into the home’s final façade.

Key specifications

• Model: Phoenix

• Capacity: 350kg

• Travel: Ground + 1 level

• Drive: Hydraulic, low-pit option

• Doors: Single glass

• Compliance: AS1735.18

Outcomes

• A fully customised lift that harmonises with the home’s striking architectural style

• Efficient installation on a complex, access-restricted site

• Long-term durability and compliance for high-wind exposure

• A standout feature of the property—featured nationally on Grand Designs Australia

• Improved accessibility and property value without compromising design intent