Schindler MetaCore revolutionizes urban architecture by providing a flexible solution that allows buildings to adapt to different uses without costly demolition or reconstruction.
In an age where urban spaces are rapidly evolving, Schindler Group’s latest innovation, Schindler MetaCore, is leading the way in transforming how we design, repurpose, and future-proof our buildings. With cities worldwide grappling with underutilized spaces, MetaCore offers a solution that promises flexibility and sustainability.
As the way we live and work shifts, so do the demands on our built environments. Today’s buildings must adapt to new needs without expensive and resource-heavy overhauls. This is where MetaCore steps in.
MetaCore enables buildings to be reconfigured and repurposed in real time without requiring costly and resource-intensive demolition or reconstruction. By allowing a single elevator group to adjust to serve various building applications—such as residential, office, or hospitality—MetaCore significantly enhances flexibility, extends the lifespan of structures, and promotes sustainability.
An “elevator group” refers to a set of elevators within a building that work together as a system to serve multiple floors or areas. These elevators are centrally controlled and coordinated. With MetaCore, this group can be dynamically adjusted to serve different building applications, as mentioned, optimizing performance based on the building’s current use without needing to modify the physical structure of the elevators themselves.
Its integration with smart technology, like Schindler Traffic Vision and the myPORT app, further personalizes user experiences while optimizing building operations, making it a revolutionary solution for modern urban challenges.
Repurposing Made Easy
MetaCore breathes new life into outdated or vacant urban spaces. With traditional retrofits often involving costly demolition and reconstruction, MetaCore delivers a significant advantage: total flexibility without the heavy financial and environmental toll. Office spaces can be swiftly converted into residential areas, hotels, or even schools with minimal structural changes. The system’s ability to reconfigure the elevator and lobby settings in real time makes this transition smooth and efficient.
“With Schindler MetaCore, the building’s structure remains intact. There’s no need for rebuilding, relocation, or modification. Instead, by reconfiguring the elevator group within the building’s elevator shafts, Schindler MetaCore can effectively enable access to anywhere. Therefore, the new elevator group can be programmed to accommodate any new purpose for the building, whether it’s a fresh set of apartments, a school, or even a hotel.”
“By enabling buildings to be repurposed instead of replaced, we reduce the need for demolition and new construction, leading to significant cost savings and a lower carbon footprint,” Dr Florian Troesch, Head Transit Management and Digital Ecosystems at Schindler explained in an email interview with ArchiExpo e-Magazine.
Buildings outfitted with the system can dramatically extend their lifespans by avoiding the wastefulness of demolition and reconstruction. Schindler MetaCore reduces the need for new raw materials, minimizing both the carbon footprint and construction waste that accompanies major building projects. By incorporating this system into architectural planning, developers and architects can ensure that buildings remain useful and adaptable for decades to come.
A Tailored Experience for Every User
One of MetaCore’s standout features is its ability to provide a bespoke passenger experience. Leveraging Schindler’s advanced PORT 4D technology and the myPORT app, the system can detect users and automatically send the most efficient elevator car to their destination. Whether catering to an office crowd, hotel guests, or residents, MetaCore adjusts its functionality to ensure optimal convenience and comfort.
“In the future, Schindler MetaCore will enable the in-car environment to be customized according to the group of users being transported. For example, lighting, screen displays, and audio announcements will be adjustable to suit office workers during business hours, while transitioning to a more relaxed setting for hotel guests or a welcoming environment for residents.
This elevator personalization will enhance user experience, ensuring that each user group feels comfortable while simultaneously making the shift between different building activities seamless.”
Optimizing Space in Real Time
To support this adaptability, Schindler MetaCore integrates Schindler Traffic Vision, a software designed to simulate traffic performance in repurposed spaces. This tool allows developers and building owners to predict how the reconfiguration will impact people flow, ensuring that the building operates at maximum efficiency regardless of its function. This kind of planning security offers peace of mind for stakeholders, allowing them to invest confidently in multi-use buildings.
“Schindler Traffic Vision uses highly advanced simulation methods to assess traffic requirements in a building, based on the specific needs of the building users and their activity (e.g office workers, residents, hotel guests, etc). The software analyses user flows, peak times and the various activities in the building, and predicts how the elevator system will perform under different conditions.
The reports obtained by Schindler Traffic Vision use various human-centric metrics and allow precise recommendations to optimize the efficiency of an elevator installation and, ultimately, the flow of people around a building.”
A Future-Ready Solution
MetaCore is not just an innovation for today but a long-term solution for the cities of tomorrow. As urban environments become more dynamic, buildings that can evolve to meet changing needs will be essential. Whether developers are designing new skyscrapers or retrofitting older structures, the ability to incorporate MetaCore allows for the creation of resilient, adaptable spaces that cater to ever-evolving community needs.
“Schindler MetaCore was designed with future proofing at its core, reflecting Schindler’s understanding of today’s volatile environment, where businesses need flexible solutions to adapt quickly. In the context of buildings, this means making retrofitting simple to support a variety of uses. Schindler MetaCore enables such flexibility, by allowing the elevator group to serve different types of activities within a single building.
Traditionally, mixed-used buildings would need separate elevator groups for different users—whether office workers, hotel guests or residents.”
“With Schindler MetaCore, buildings can maintain distinct lobbies for different activities —office space, shopping, hotels or apartments—while using the same elevator group without users even noticing it. This innovative system optimizes traffic management and offers a bespoke user experience.”
As cities worldwide continue to reimagine their spaces, Schindler’s MetaCore is poised to become a key player in sustainable urban transformation. With its unparalleled flexibility, user-centered design, and commitment to reducing environmental impact, MetaCore offers a blueprint for how buildings of the future can serve a more sustainable, versatile, and efficient purpose.
