LIFTbuild is rewriting the rules of high-rise construction. Drawing inspiration from the automotive assembly line, this forward-thinking company is applying manufacturing principles to the built environment — delivering faster, safer, and more efficient high-rise buildings through a proprietary approach known as Vertical Manufacturing®.
“What we’re doing at LIFTbuild isn’t just innovation — it’s a fundamental shift in how we think about building. By rethinking the jobsite as a controlled manufacturing environment, we’re unlocking new levels of predictability, quality, and workforce safety. It’s a smarter way to build, and it’s long overdue.”
Joe Benvenuto, Chief Operating Officer, LIFTbuild
Vertical Manufacturing aims to transform the entire project lifecycle — it includes optimized designs, creating an efficient manufacturing environment on site, and adequately resourcing the “factory floor” with materials, people, and equipment. This harmonization creates a safe, clean, and organized assembly environment to construct each floor at grade before lifting them into place, manufacturing the building from the top down.
LIFTbuild’s proprietary Building Optimization Layout Tool (BOLT)™ uses generative design to create optimized floorplans and cost models in hours vs. weeks. Combined with collaborative delivery methods like Design-Build Collaborative (DBC) or Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), this ensures alignment across all stakeholders from day one.
In practice, the building assembly process behind LIFTbuild’s approach begins with constructing structural spines, installing a patented lifting system, and setting up the manufacturing environment at grade. The roof and floor plate construction occurs at a safe, ergonomic level on the assembly pad, just a few feet above grade; this serves as the central workspace. Floor plate assembly is a highly synchronized set of activities involving multiple trades repeating their scope of work for each floor, which reduces the number of tradespeople required on site.
For steel structures, this means there’s no need for a costly tower crane, and significantly reduced hook time for smaller cranes. For concrete structures, this means:
- Placement at grade creates greater accessibility
- Reduced concrete pump size and capacity
- Eliminated need for routing pump lines through and over the floor deck
- Easier application of weather protection and heating (when required)
Select systems are installed above and below the floor plate, then each floor is strategically loaded with a just-in-time delivery of materials to be used for fit-out post-lift. Floor plates are lifted to their final height utilizing a patented system at an average speed of 30 feet per hour before being locked into place.
System connections and the interior fit-out process can begin on the locked-in floor plate, which is considered weathertight, eliminating the risk of elements compromising materials or work put in place. These activities are all conducted in a fall-safe space, and the assembly pad below is restored to a clean site, where the next floor plate structure can begin. With a repetitive assembly process and intentional focus on continuous improvement, work crews improve efficiency floor-over-floor, increasing overall project speed.
Leaning into proven manufacturing principles throughout the project lifecycle results in maximized productivity, dependable quality, prioritized safety practices, and greater project certainty. This innovative approach yields up to 30% schedule savings for project stakeholders.
To see if Vertical Manufacturing is a good fit for your next project, contact Frederick Hood at frederick.hood@liftbuild.com or visit LIFTbuild’s website by clicking the link (Here).
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