Design & Certification of Lifting Frame for Pre-Built Modular Houses
Client: Nook Home
Category: Design and Certification
Date: 2025
Background
Nook Homes is an Auckland-based company specialising in the manufacture of architectural modular houses, that are built off-site. To support delivery of pre-built modules, Nook Homes required a solution to move prefabricated housing units to the building site. This is an unusual challenge in the construction process. Recognising the lack of suitable off-the-shelf solutions in the New Zealand market and expensive overseas options, they approached Motovated for a solution.
Solution
The project commenced with an analysis of Nook Homes’ needs. Motovated’s team embarked on the design of a lifting frame, focusing on adaptability to different unit sizes and ease of assembly. The design concept was a rectangular frame, capable of lifting up to 15 tonnes, and adjustable for various unit sizes.
Key features included modularity for ease of transport for handling different dimensions. Motovated crafted a 3D model, completed all necessary structural calculations, developed manufacturing drawings, and oversaw the fabrication in Christchurch. The frame was then certified by an in house Chartered Professional Engineer, saving valuable time.
Despite the geographical distance, the Motovated team maintained close communication with Nook Homes throughout the process, ensuring that the final product met all requirements.
The frame was then shipped to Auckland where it was successfully deployed.
Results
The lifting frame significantly streamlined Nook Homes’ operations, making the movement of modular units more efficient. The client praised the frame’s robustness, user-friendliness, and adaptability. Motovated’s agile approach and ability to meet short turnaround times were instrumental in the project’s success. This case study demonstrates Motovated’s expertise in creating tailored solutions for specialised needs.
“From start to finish, the Motovated team has been very transparent and helpful with the whole process helping us turn our once-brainstormed idea into reality in the short time-frame we provided. The finished product not only exceeded our expectations, but also helped Nook Homes immensely in our bid to become one of the few companies nationwide delivering pre-fabricated modular homes onto a polished concrete slab.”
Brody McNabb, Logistics Manager, Nook Homes