Category: Structures

New Lift in Timber School, Chelmsford

Post author By Gail Cleverdon
Post date 27 February 2026

New Lift in Timber School, Chelmsford

Interestingly, this new school project first came to us as an enquiry from a repeat Modular Construction client, before we then received another enquiry, this time it was for a timber frame build. Ideal Lifts are specialists in lift installations for all Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) using our Ideal Lifts Frame System.

The end client eventually decided on the timber frame contractor, and Ideal Lifts were chosen to install the lift into this new 2-storey school in Chelmsford.

The contractor chose to install one of our traction IL2 Hybrid Access Passenger Lifts, which offers all the design and functionality of conventional passenger lifts and is designed to fit in only a 150mm pit with 2750mm headroom.

Provided with a motor room less (MRL) low energy traction-drive, which is integrated into the lift shaft, and unlike traditional hydraulic platform lifts there is no need for a separate (non-fire rated) control cabinet.

Our IL2 Hybrid range comes with automatic sliding doors, one-touch push button controls, 2-hr fire certified landing entrances and an enclosed cabin.

This project was one of the first with our new standard linear LED lighting and also included an optional restricted key fob access to allow the school to limit the use of the lift.

All of our lift installations are Open Protocol and are fitted as standard with our Automatic Remote Monitoring (ARM) System. Our advanced 24/7 ARM system provides building owners, managers and users additional confidence and peace of mind. The ARM system allows the lift to be monitored remotely which enables the service company to diagnose and resolve issues without having to visit site.

Tags Case Studies, hybrid traction lift, Ideal Lifts Frame System, School, Structures, Timber Construction

Apartments Ideal Lifts Frame System IL3 Light Gauge Steel Structures

Simplifying Hybrid Construction

Post author By Gail Cleverdon
Post date 22 May 2025
No Comments on Simplifying Hybrid Construction

Simplifying Hybrid Construction

A private housing developer approached Ideal Lifts to assist with a hybrid construction project after we were recommended by the Steel Frame System (SFS) manufacturer.

The Ground and first floor were constructed in hot rolled steel with block infill. The 2^nd to 4^th floors above were built with a lightweight steel frame system (LSFS).

This mixed-use development has commercial units on the ground floor and private apartments above.

We installed one of our Energy Efficient IL3E passenger lifts and our Ideal Lifts Frame System, which is designed to accommodate changes in shaft materials at different floors and remove the need for a labour-intensive concrete shaft.

The project was further simplified by removing the need for the contractor to build lifting beams at the top of the shaft for lift the installation and test these in situ as the Ideal Frame System included for these.

Tags Apartments, Case Studies, hybrid construction, offsite construction, Offsite lifts, Structures

Apartments Ideal Lifts Frame System IL3 Structures Timber Construction

Luxury Lifts for Luxury Living

Post author By Gail Cleverdon
Post date 14 February 2025
No Comments on Luxury Lifts for Luxury Living

Luxury Lifts for Luxury Living

A repeat client came to us with a luxury new contemporary village development proposal in West Sussex.

The timber building had originally been designed with a traditional masonry block lift shaft, but our experienced technical team advised the client and architects about our Ideal Lifts Frame System, with the same footprint as a masonry shaft in timber.

Using our frame system the developer was able to avoid various construction issues associated with building block lift shafts in timber buildings, such as compromising the fire integrity of the lifts shaft as well as any potential trip hazards and expensive landing entrance repairs caused by vertical timber shrinkage

The clients required a luxury lift, with upgraded lift car and landing finishes which was in keeping with the luxury nature of the development.

Ideal installed two energy efficient, 240V single-phase passenger lifts, with dedicated communication platforms and managed SIM cards.

All lifts are fitted as standard with our Automatic Remote Monitoring (ARM) System. Our advanced 24/7 ARM system provides building owners, managers and users additional confidence and peace of mind. The ARM system allows the lift to be monitored remotely which enables the service company to diagnose and resolve issues without having to visit site.

Ideal Lifts were appointed on an additional six lift site (also in timber construction) a testament to the benefits our Ideal Lifts Frame System brings to modern methods of construction.

Tags Apartments, Case Studies, offsite construction, Structures, Timber Construction

Existing Building Ideal Lifts Frame System IL3 Leisure & Hospitality Structures Timber Construction

Timber Extension to an Existing Hotel

Post author By Gail Cleverdon
Post date 3 July 2024
No Comments on Timber Extension to an Existing Hotel

Timber Extension to an Existing Hotel

Showcasing our second hotel redevelopment in Buckinghamshire with our repeat client, who came to us as experts in installing lifts into timber buildings, located in their new timber extension.

Installing our energy saving IL3 Eco-Drive lift within our Ideal Lifts Frame System, which is specifically designed to accommodate the natural vertical settlement of the timber building.

By using our frame system in place of a traditional block lift shaft, the developer was able to avoid various construction issues associated with building traditional block lift shafts in timber buildings, such as compromising the fire integrity of the lifts shaft as well as any potential trip hazards and expensive landing entrance repairs caused by the settlement period.

The IL3 , motor room-less (MRL) gearless traction drive passenger lift was ideally suited by reducing energy use. The IL3 passenger lifts use 35% less electricity than conventional traction lifts and can achieve two BREEAM credits. For further information about the IL3 Eco-Drive see our Video.

Due to incoming power constraints on this site, our Single Phase (240v) drive lift was installed.

The lift was also fitted with our Automatic Remote Monitoring (ARM) System. Our advanced 24/7 ARM system provides building owners, managers and users additional confidence and peace of mind. The ARM system allows the lift to be monitored remotely which enables the service company to diagnose and resolve issues without having to visit site, resulting in improved response times for faults and reduced lift downtimes by knowing which replacement part is needed before we even attend site.

The existing analogue telephone network will be switched off by 31 December 2025. Therefore, the lift was fitted with our optional Digital Communications Platform (DCP) providing the interface between the lift emergency Autodialler and a mobile telephone network.

Tags Case Studies, Leisure & Hospitality

Apartments Ideal Lifts Frame System IL4 Structures Timber Construction

Passenger Lifts for Timber Apartments

Post author By Gail Cleverdon
Post date 25 April 2024
No Comments on Passenger Lifts for Timber Apartments

Passenger Lifts for Timber Apartments

Based in Bicester, Oxfordshire, this development is part of the largest self & custom build community in the UK.

The apartments provide luxury open plan living designed to maximise space and comfort, that have been built with energy efficiency in mind.

Ideal Lifts were approached as market leaders in installing lifts within Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) to install 4 passenger lifts in the timber framed apartment buildings.

We installed four 13-person, traction, 1m/s lifts within our Ideal Lifts Frame System, which is specifically designed to accommodate the natural vertical settlement of the timber building.

All lifts were also fitted with our Automatic Remote Monitoring (ARM) System. Our advanced 24/7 ARM system provides building owners, managers and users additional confidence and peace of mind. The ARM system allows the lift to be monitored remotely which enables the service company to diagnose and resolve issues without having to visit site, resulting in improved response times for faults and reduced lift downtimes by knowing which replacement part is needed before we even attend site.

Tags Apartments, Case Studies

Apartments Existing Building IL4 Structures Timber Construction

Out with the old, in with the new!

Post author By Gail Cleverdon
Post date 9 October 2023

Existing building - Church with Timber Frame

Out with the old, in with the new!

Built in 1873, this grade II listed former church building was significantly damaged in 2007. Now redeveloped, retaining the engaging exterior it incorporates an entirely new pre-manufactured internal timber frame structure including apartments, stairs, and lift shaft. One new build block of apartments was also built to the rear of the building creating an old meets new vista.

Ideal Lifts were asked to provide 3 passenger lifts within our Ideal Lifts Frame System, which is specifically designed for modern methods of construction (MMC) including Timber, Modular, & Light Gauge Steel (LGS) buildings.

The Ideal Lifts Frame System is an innovative stand-alone structure that negates the need for traditional block lift shaft construction. Smarter than traditional construction, its unique design ensures that that only a standard lift shaft is required.

The frame-mounted structure includes for everything required for lift installation, all lifting beams, pit ladder and does not require scaffolding. The Frame System is designed to accommodate the natural vertical settlement of timber frame construction.

All of the lifts were installed with our Automatic Remote Monitoring (ARM) system, which allows us to monitor and manage the lifts remotely 24/7.

Tags Apartments, Case Studies

Ideal Lifts Frame System IL3 Modular School Structures

Lift Solution for Modular Flagship SEN School

Post author By IL-ADMIN
Post date 25 April 2023

Lift Solution for Modular Flagship SEN School

Ideal Lifts were approached by a specialist education Modular construction company when they needed a lift for a new SEN School in Hastings.

The Special School opened in 2021 in temporary buildings whilst designing and constructing a new purpose-built building.

As this is a Modular school, we installed our unique frame system for OFFSITE construction, removing the need for a conventional masonry lift shaft. The Ideal Lifts Frame System incorporates lifting beams, pit ladder and removes the need for scaffolding.

There is no need for additional special fabrication or steelwork inserts to be built in.

A much-simplified design reduced the modular manufacturing and design cost, by removing a bespoke shaft.

The core principles of the Ideal Lifts Frame System are ‘Repeatability = Efficiency’

Ideal Lifts were involved from the early design phase, and we specified our IL3 Eco-Drive, motor room-less (MRL) gearless traction drive passenger lift which was ideally suited for this low rise building with moderate use. With an ever-increasing demand to reduce energy, our IL3 Eco-Drive passenger lifts use 35% less electricity than conventional traction lifts and can achieve two BREEAM credits. For further information about the IL3 Eco-Drive see our Video.

Ideal Lifts installed our contemporary ‘Essential Car’, with stylish stainless steel landing entrances to compliment the contemporary building finish.

The lift controller was designed to interface with the main building key fob security system to restrict access to authorised persons. A dedicated isolation switch enables the lift to be placed into unrestricted on occasions such as open days.

Tags Case Studies, School

Anti-Vandal Lift Apartments IL4 Light Gauge Steel Masonry Social Housing Structures

A Collection of Vandal-Resistant Quayside Lifts

Post author By IL-ADMIN
Post date 3 March 2023

Gloucester Quays Ideal Lifts - BS EN 81-71 Vandal Resistant Lifts

A Collection of Vandal-Resistant Quayside Lifts

Click on the links above for our Digital Magazines

Ideal Lifts Ltd. were approached by our repeat client, leading housing developer Crest Nicholson, who were working with one of England’s largest affordable housing providers The Guinness Partnership, to provide the lifts on a multi-block project by the historic Gloucester Quays. The £85m waterfront scheme incorporates over 400 mixed-tenure homes, with a selection of 362 1&2-bed luxury apartments and 49 2&3-bed houses.

The Canalside project required Ideal Lifts Ltd. to install Category 2, BS EN 81-71 Vandal Resistant lifts in all blocks, with robust PEGASUS doors, finished in a durable linen textured stainless steel.

The project was of hybrid construction incorporating both traditional and Light Gauge Steel (LGS) blocks, we therefore installed some of the lifts in our Ideal Lifts Frame System and others using a direct wall-mounted solution.

In the LGS block the lifts were installed in our unique frame system for OFFSITE construction, removing the need for a conventional lift shaft. The Frame System incorporates lifting beams, pit ladder and removes the need for scaffolding. There is no need for additional special fabrication or steelwork inserts to be built in delivering a much-simplified repeatable process to the team.

The existing analogue telephone network will be switched off by 31 December 2025. Therefore, all the lifts were fitted with our optional Digital Communications Platform (DCP) providing the interface between the lift emergency Autodialler and a mobile telephone network, along with the additional option of a managed commercial grade SIM card package.

All lifts installed were our IL4 passenger lifts is for larger buildings and busy environments – to carry people higher and faster. Fitted with a premium variable speed motor room-less (MRL) gearless traction drive and can achieve 2 BREEAM credits.

Tags Case Studies, Structures

Commercial Offices IL4 Structures Timber Construction

Tallest Mass-Timber Offices in London

Post author By IL-ADMIN
Post date 6 February 2023
No Comments on Tallest Mass-Timber Offices in London

Tallest Mass-Timber Offices in London

We were delighted to be specified for the lifts in this ground-breaking project.

London’s tallest mass-timber office building, standing at 17.8m tall, 5/6 stories high. The building uses 4 different types of engineered timber: A laminated veneer lumber (LVL) frame, cross-laminated timber (CLT) floor slabs and core, tulipwood solar shading and glulam curtain walling.

The professional team approached us, the UK industry leader in installing lifts in timber buildings due to a potential lateral shaft movement of up to 10-15mm. A solution had to be engineered to avoid the lifts going out of service due to inaccurate landing door alignment with the lift car. Our Ideal Lifts Frame System was designed and installed to enable both lateral and vertical adjustment to ensure the lifts remained in service, an issue experienced by other non-specialist lift contractors. The frame also negated the need for a concrete lift shaft.

The existing 4-storey Victorian building was replaced by a 6-storey co-working office block, making the most out of the constrained plot which has other buildings on 3 sides. The Ideal Lifts Frame System comes pre-manufactured which reduces deliveries to site, contributing to carbon savings.

The building has achieved net zero in construction and use. Regenerative drives are included to each lift converting mechanical energy into reusable electrical energy.

Ideal Lifts installed duplex lifts into the office building, stylish stainless-steel entrances were fitted to contrast with the timber building finish.

Read what the Guardian newspaper said about our lifts here.

Tags Case Studies, Timber Construction

IL3 Modular School Structures

Modular Low Carbon Pathfinder DfE School

Post author By IL-ADMIN
Post date 12 December 2022

Modular Low Carbon Pathfinder DfE School

A modular client of ours knew just where to come when they won the contract to build a new 6,850m2 Department for Education (DfE) pathfinder Low Carbon School in Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). The end client needed an accessible Part M4(2) lift for their new 3 storey building.

A key challenge was to reduce both carbon emissions and operational energy use. We therefore specified our IL3E Eco-Drive energy efficient passenger lift. The completed project achieved a 50% reduction in energy demand of the operational energy use and a 73% reduction in carbon emissions.

IL3 Eco-Drive, motor room-less (MRL) gearless traction drive passenger lift was ideally suited for this low rise building with moderate use. With an ever-increasing demand to reduce energy, our IL3 Eco-Drive passenger lifts use 35% less electricity than conventional traction lifts and can achieve two BREEAM credits. For more information about the IL3 Eco-Drive see our Video.

To compliment the stylish School design our ‘Essential Car’ was installed with durable powder coated RAL7032 Landing entrances.

As this is a Modular school, we installed our unique frame system for OFFSITE construction, removing the need for a conventional lift shaft. The Frame System incorporates lifting beams, pit ladder and removes the need for scaffolding. There is no need for additional special fabrication or steelwork inserts to be built in delivering a much-simplified repeatable process to the team.