Construcciones Yamaro: Australia’s first KONE MiniSpace DX debuts at Melbourne Square
At Melbourne Square, vertical transport had more to prove than usual. As the first Australian home of KONE’s High-Rise MiniSpace DX, the complex Southbank site became a live test case for space efficiency, sustainability and accelerated construction.
“Melbourne Square was the ideal environment to demonstrate the value of MiniSpace DX,” says Iain Matheson, director of new buildings and major projects for Australia and New Zealand at KONE. “It gave us the chance to show how smart lift systems can unlock space, reduce load, and accelerate construction in ways that add measurable value.”
In dense, high-value markets like Melbourne, vertical gains are commercial ones. MiniSpace DX reclaims real estate where it counts, slimming the shaft, trimming headroom, reducing pit depth and doing away with the machine room.
Those changes carry weight upstream. By compressing the lift core, architects have more freedom in early planning and developers secure extra square metres of usable or saleable space. In some cases, these advantages prove vital, as that margin can be the difference between project approval and rejection, or the addition of an extra floor.
“With MiniSpace DX, we’re able to minimise vertical requirements such as pit depths, headroom and machine room heights,” says Robert Haig, head of major projects at KONE. “Where conditions allow, it enables the addition of an extra residential or commercial floor, which can be the tipping point between a project going ahead or being shelved.”
In that sense, the lift core becomes a catalyst for design, shifting from fixed infrastructure to a flexible asset.
With lifts now one of the first considerations in any high-rise concept, KONE is stepping in earlier to help shape strategy through a feasibility lens, not just a functional one.
“Once the initial lift planning is established, we can support developers by fine-tuning the design, reducing space requirements and maximising usable area. Put simply, if the vertical transportation strategy isn’t right, the building may not proceed,” says Haig. “We play an important role in helping shape those early design decisions to ensure the project is both viable and efficient.”
This same early input proved valuable at Melbourne Square, where site constraints and a demanding construction program meant decisions made on paper had to deliver in practice.
Lightening the load
One of the key innovations at Melbourne Square is KONE’s UltraRope, a lightweight carbon-fibre hoisting cable that replaces traditional steel ropes. Stronger, more durable and lighter, it allows the lift system to operate more efficiently while reducing both embodied carbon and operational waste.
“Because UltraRope is far lighter than traditional steel rope, we’ve eliminated the need for the counterweight ropes typically required to balance high-speed lift systems. As a result, we’ve reduced rope mass by 80 per cent,” says Haig.
“Unlike steel rope, which generally needs replacing every four to six years, UltraRope can last at least 15 years without replacement under normal operating conditions. That means we’re not only removing thousands of metres of rope from the system at installation but also avoiding replacement and disposal over the building’s lifecycle.”
The ripple effects are far-reaching. Reduced rope mass means lower energy demand over time. Fewer moving parts mean less maintenance. And eliminating oil and grease from the hoisting system supports greener operation.
“That sustainability element is front and centre during early concept design,” says Matheson. “For KONE, sustainability isn’t just about energy efficiency; it’s about whole‑of‑life asset management.”
With ratings like Green Star and NABERS placing greater emphasis on lifecycle impact, those decisions can strengthen a project’s sustainability credentials.
“It’s all part of that broader lifecycle thinking that’s shaping smarter buildings from the ground up. It means our customers are embracing a more holistic view of sustainability, looking beyond energy reduction to drive meaningful change,” says Matheson.
“By targeting high-impact initiatives like vertical transportation, they’re not only cutting operational emissions but also setting new benchmarks in sustainable design through whole-of-life management. This strategic shift is helping customers achieve higher Green Star and NABERS ratings, while demonstrating true leadership in the built environment.”
At Melbourne Square, KONE’s sustainability approach is being tested on two fronts: predictive modelling and real-world results.
“We approach this in two ways. First, through detailed modelling, from the mass saved through lightweight materials to the motors and control systems in use,” says Haig. “Second, we equip the lifts with real-time metering to track live energy data during operation.”
That dual approach, forecast and verify, is core to KONE’s value proposition.
“It’s not enough to claim efficiency; we have to demonstrate it,” says Haig. “We’re able to show our customers the exact metrics and prove that the gains we promised are being delivered. It’s about transparency and accountability.”
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Fast, smooth and on track
What made Melbourne Square a fitting test case wasn’t just its density or height, it was the speed required. With a compressed construction schedule, KONE used its JumpLift system to bring the lifts online sooner, cutting reliance on external hoists and accelerating access throughout the build.
JumpLift is a self-climbing elevator that operates in the building’s permanent shaft during construction. It’s fast, secure and more efficient than external alternatives.
“Once the builder gives us a portion of the shaft – say, seven floors – we can install an operational temporary lift, then jump it another seven floors as more become available. This allows faster access, enabling people and materials to move well ahead of the traditional schedule,” says Matheson.
“This reduces reliance on external hoists, helping to cut both labour and equipment costs while improving site logistics. In some cases, it can accelerate timelines by six, eight or even 12 months, depending on the project’s complexity.”
For Melbourne Square, the builder saw enough value to purchase three JumpLifts. Running at up to four metres per second, more than double the speed of typical hoists, they’ve helped maintain momentum across a complex, multi-stage site.
“Given the volume of high-rise activity on the horizon, including major infrastructure and hospital builds, as well as preparations for the 2032 Olympic Games, time-saving measures like this are becoming increasingly important across Australia,” says Matheson.
Speed with stability
MiniSpace DX also delivers a tangible edge in ride performance, especially in tall, premium towers where wait times and ride quality are noticed. At Melbourne Square, lifts will travel at up to six metres per second, offering faster service without expanding the shaft.
“That speed advantage directly benefits tenants, particularly in premium buildings like Melbourne Square,” says Haig. “If someone’s travelling from a penthouse to the ground floor, they’re doing it in half the time. It enhances convenience, cuts wait times and supports smoother traffic flow, which is critical in high-rise environments.”
Combined with the low-vibration output of UltraRope, the system delivers a quieter, smoother ride.
Designed to adapt
While lift installation at Melbourne Square is set to begin later this year, KONE is already planning for what comes after. With modernisation potential built in, MiniSpace DX systems are designed for evolution, with flexibility to suit both new towers and existing landmarks.
“The reality is that a large portion of the buildings that will be standing by 2050 already exist. Some estimates put that figure at around 80 per cent,” says Haig. “MiniSpace DX reflects that thinking. We’re not just optimising dimensions and performance in new builds; we’re also ensuring that this next-generation technology can be retrofitted into existing lift shafts.”
Matheson adds: “The systems being installed now are designed with partial modernisation in mind. We’re building with the intent to retain major components over the building’s lifecycle. That means consistent dimensions, durable materials and future-proofing that allows upgrades without structural change.”
A shift in vertical priorities
For many years, lifts were a necessity to be worked around. But as buildings stretch higher and timelines grow tighter, vertical transport has moved up the agenda.
“With MiniSpace DX, we are helping clients think differently, not just about what their lifts do, but about what they enable,” says Haig.
At Melbourne Square, the lift core has moved from passive infrastructure to active asset, influencing decisions on cost, carbon and commercial return. For KONE, it shows how smarter vertical systems can shape better buildings long before they break the skyline.
The post Australia’s first KONE MiniSpace DX debuts at Melbourne Square appeared first on Inside Construction.
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