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Rooftop Gardens Help Alleviate the Heat Island Effect over Taiwan
Schindler 3300 AP Machine-Room-Less Elevator Drives Green Building Trends with its Receipt of VDI Certification for Elevator Energy Efficiency

Taipei ― September 14, 2010. The Schindler Group, a renowned Swiss-based elevator maker and the first company in Taiwan to obtain VDI certification for elevator energy efficiency, joins forces with Hung Sheng Construction, a blue-chip property developer, to create a new landmark in Nangang district. Following the construction of landmark buildings such as the Royal Palace condominiums in Hsin Yi and Ren-ai districts, Hung Sheng Construction is rolling out an exquisite masterpiece luxury real estate located in Nangang Software Park – the future technology hub of Asia, which collocates with Schindler’s energy-efficient machine-room-less elevator to achieve a stylish and eco-friendly home and lifestyle. Due to the adoption of Schindler’s elevator technology, the space that otherwise would have been occupied by an elevator machine room has been turned into a sky garden, thus garnering praise from Ji Qin, Schindler’s lifestyle ambassador: "As long as the right elevator is being used, we can still have our own paradise despite being located in Taipei City where land price is so expensive, and at the same time, achieve energy conservation and environmental protection goals!"

Schindler’s Environmental Sustainability Initiatives Make it an Industry Green Pioneer

Simon Chow, General Manager of Schindler Lifts, said that Schindler’s corporate philosophy on environmental sustainability is as follows: "The lifespan of an elevator is approximately 20 to 30 years. The energy consumed while in service and during the standby period constitutes two-thirds of an elevator’s impact on the environment. The Schindler 3300 AP machine-room-less elevator installed in Hung Sheng "Wo Cheng"(我城) is the first eco-friendly elevator in Taiwan to pass the VDI validation tests established by the Association of German Engineers, carried out by the Germany-based TÜV Rheinalnd Group, thus reflecting Schindler Lift’s commitment to environmental protection as well as putting Taiwan in line with global energy conservation trends."

Mark Hughes, Group NI Director of Jardine Schindler Group, also pointed out that "Machine-room-less elevators have long been a trend of the global elevator industry. European and American countries have considered allowing residents to use rooftop spaces more creatively, e.g. planting. This is especially useful for a densely populated and overly developed urban heat island like Taiwan, where rooftop landscaping could help to reduce temperature of buildings. Green building is not an expensive high technology, and elevators can be an important element in aiding development of green buildings. Rooftop garden designs benefit not only the various green building evaluation indicators such as biological diversity, greenness indicators and carbon dioxide emissions reduction, but also offer Taiwanese with a variety of rooftop landscapes in the future."

First Elevator in Taiwan to Pass VDI Validation Tests

According to 2008 statistics, there are a total of 8.5 million operational elevators around the world that waste approximately 18 billion kilowatt-hours of electrical power per year, which is equivalent to the total amount generated by 2 nuclear power plants; in addition, 450,000 new elevators are being installed each year. As the energy consumed by an elevator accounts for approximately 15% of the total energy consumption of a building (source: CIBSE Guide D), there is high potential for energy savings and room for improvements. After signing the Kyoto Protocol, the European Union took active measures to require energy conservation in buildings, and formulated the VDI 4707 (Part 1) standard for measuring and classifying elevator energy efficiency.

With a gearless motor and innovative Traction Media technology, Schindler 3300 AP saves 40% more energy as compared to a conventional elevator. In early September, the Schindler 3300 AP elevator installation in Hung Sheng "Wo Cheng"(我城) passed VDI 4707 tests, making it the first eco-friendly energy saving elevator in Taiwan to have passed such tests. In this way, both consumers and members of the building industry would be able to clearly see the energy efficiency of the elevator.

Schindler 3300 AP Machine-Room-Less Elevator

A Must-Have for Green Luxury Homes

Hung Sheng Construction, the developer that created the Royal Palace condominiums in Hsin Yi district and Ren-ai Road, has long been a byword for domestic luxury homes. Hung Sheng "Wo Cheng"(我城) is the only representative masterpiece of Hung Sheng that marks its entry into the Nangang Software Park. With regard to the choice of 3300 AP machine-room-less elevator for use in the building project, Lin Yi Jung, Construction Business Manager at Hung Sheng, said: "Other than Schindler being an international Swiss brand, the main reasons for Hung Sheng’s choice of using Schindler’s elevator for this project include energy-saving design, space-saving elevator car, and an elevator panel that has a rich sense of stylish design; besides, we save rooftop space by not needing to have an elevator machine room. We specially created a sky garden for our residents to enjoy the scenery of Taipei; such a cozy space and landscape planning is only available for the residents of Hung Sheng "Wo Cheng"(我城)."

Energy and Space Savings ― The Absence of a Machine Room Frees Up Space to Make Way for a New Relaxation Venue

Ji Qin, an intelligent lifestyle specialist who is widely known for her careful calculations and strict budgeting as well as a home-loving image, believes that Schindler’s elevator helps residents save money and gain space: "Lower energy consumption naturally leads to savings on the electricity expenses of elevators that are shared among residents. By turning the rooftop space that would otherwise be occupied by an elevator machine room into a sky garden, viewing platform or a gym, residents’ quality of life is being enhanced." Ji Qin also noticed many small details of the Schindler elevator, which are thoughtful designs that allow passengers to use elevators safely. For instance, the infrared light sensor safety screen security door will not hit passengers, unlike the case for the mechanical safety door of a conventional elevator.

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Schindler 3300 AP Machine-Room-Less Elevator Drives Green Building Trends with its Receipt of VDI Certification for Elevator Energy Efficiency