Schindler 5500 Launches Across Global Markets

A new elevator for the mid-rise, mixed-use segment is now on the market.

The Schindler 3300 currently reigns as Schindler’s best-selling product around the world, serving the low-rise market. Also doing well, at the opposite end of the spectrum, the Schindler 7000 series targets the high-rise market. But, something was missing among Schindler’s global offerings, and customers called for a solution both flexible and global in scope to bridge the gap. The new Schindler 5500 provides the answer, able to serve the mid-rise, mixed-use market that is becoming more prevalent, especially in developing countries.

The company designed its 5500 model to combine performance, flexibility and design. For the last several months, the Schindler 5500 has been tested in Asian markets to much success. Pre-market sales also have been encouraging, according to Michael Schmidt, Head of Employee and Customer Communications. The product officially hits global markets this month with the tagline “It fits you.” According to Schindler, the 5500 does.

Designed to Fit

Considered the 5500’s most standout feature, its singular modular system can be configured to suit any building. The flexible product conforms to building codes and norms worldwide, allowing it to be installed anywhere. It is adaptable to a wide variety of buildings – from apartments and offices, to hotels, hospitals and shopping centers, as well as stations, airports and stadiums. The 5500 is designed for buildings up to 150 m high. The system architecture is based on Schindler’s Suspension Traction Media (STM) technology. The traction media replaces conventional steel cables, weighs less, requires less space and runs more quietly. Thanks to the flexibility of the traction media, the drive can be installed directly in the elevator shaft, and this provides room for a larger shaft.

Scalable Car Sizes

Like the Schindler 3300 for the low-rise market, the Schindler 5500 was developed with the needs of today’s builders, designers and architects in mind. The elevator has scalable car sizes, which means it can be adapted to fit the shaft, and it maximizes the space available through flexible positioning of the counterweight (rear or side), machine and controller. It offers both a machine-room-less (MRL) and a mini-machine room (MMR) configuration, with the ability to install the controller on different levels. Features include optimized traffic management, enhanced space utilization and minimized building interfaces, which provide options to increase rentable space and lower building costs.

High-End Design Options

Mindful of aesthetic considerations, the developers of the Schindler 5500 turned to Italian designers for high-end design options. A range of materials and styles, from functional to sophisticated, grant multiple design choices and allow integration with a building’s architectural concept. Architects can work with a bare elevator car as a canvas, choosing to use a Schindler style option or create a look of their own.

Environmentally Friendly

The Schindler 5500 is designed not only to be highly efficient and clean, but also to support the overall energy efficiency of the building. With its optimized drive and traction media, reduced weight, regenerative drive and enhanced standby function, it consumes less energy than comparable elevators. The product earned an “A” rating from VDI (Association of German Engineers) and can contribute to green building credits. Beyond operation, the 5500 strives to reduce the overall environmental impact along the entire lifecycle of its products, from production to recycling.

Built for Today’s Cities

“What’s unusual about this elevator is that it is a single modular system that can be configured to fit various building types,” says Eric Darmenia, head of the Schindler 5500 project team. “It offers speeds from 1-3 mps, handles loads from 630-2500 kg and provides an extensive range of features. Thanks to all of this, the Schindler 5500 clearly meets the requirements of today’s modern cities.”       

The Four Essentials of the 5500

Space Configurability

• Standard car sizes are adaptable in width and depth, with a maximum of 100 mm around International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards.
• Car height is variable, up to 3,000 mm.
• A singular modular system is able to cover different market applications, such as residential, commercial and public transportation.
• A range of door widths (800-1,400 mm) and heights (up to 2400 mm) facilitate adaptation to code and building requirements.
• Doors can be unidirectional or bidirectional.
• Depending on the dimensions of the shaft, the Schindler 5500 is available for both MMR and MRL solutions.

Green Mobility

• The Schindler 5500 uses about 30% less energy than comparable elevators.
• With the clean PowerFactor 1 technology, the drives are able to produce energy that can be immediately fed back into the electricity grid.
• The LED bulbs used last up to 20 times longer than standard light bulbs.
• The new drive and traction configuration weighs up to 50% less than its predecessor, while using less oil and hazardous substances. 

High-Level Performance

• Capacity: Up to 2500 kg
• Building height: Up to 150 m/50 floors
• Car speed: Up to 3 mps
• Freedom of Design
• The four Schindler 5500 design lines provide customers with decorating options:
• Navona: Intended to be functional and durable, Navona provides a sturdy option for residential applications. This design line offers various colors and four different floor options, including bare car. Stainless steel can be added to rear and side walls.
• Times Square: Promoted as modern and versatile, this contemporary look is available in unicolor or bicolor options. A unicolor interior can be made complete with laminate or stainless steel. The bicolor option allows for contrasting side and rear wall colors. A bare car option is also available.
• Bellevue: Designed for spaciousness and brightness, this design option is intended for up-market residential and commercial buildings. The car can be crowned with a cassette ceiling to visually enlarge the interior, while matched lighting can help emphasize the car’s spaciousness and brighten side wall colors.
• Park Avenue: Described by Schindler as “sophisticated and elegant,” the Park Avenue design option is recommended for exclusive residences and prestigious offices. Premium-quality materials and colors are found inside the car, while the rounded transition from the ceiling to the rear wall makes the interior unique among the design options. Lighting and ceiling concepts complete the atmosphere.