Three ITC – An innovative first Shanghai, China
Set in one of Shanghai’s most vibrant neighborhoods, Three ITC covers an area of over 320,000 square meters, featuring two striking high-rise towers, 70 and 43 floors tall, connected by a retail podium. The complex has reshaped the area's skyline, while holding the distinction of being the first project in mainland China to use both Schindler R.I.S.E and Schindler CLIMB Lift technologies during construction. Our team installed over 200 elevators and escalators to provide an exceptional passenger experience throughout the complex.
Key facts
Project stakeholders
- Architect: Pelli Clarke & Partners, ECADI
- Developer: Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.
- Structural Engineer: ARUP
Challenges and client brief
- Construct a massive complex in a densely populated area
- Deliver innovative and sustainable mobility solutions
- Work through testing conditions and Covid-19 restrictions
Schindler solutions
- Deployed Schindler R.I.S.E and Schindler CLIMB Lift for the first time in Asia
- Installed double-deck elevators as part of a vertical mobility system that optimizes energy usage
- Provided support from across the group to ensure project success
Project highlights
Blending modern architecture with innovative design, Three ITC, a large-scale complex in downtown Shanghai, is one of the city’s most prestigious developments of this century – and it’s a project that began turning heads long before it was completed.
During its construction, while its towers were still taking shape, our team introduced not one but two groundbreaking installation technology systems – our innovative Robotic Installation System for Elevators, Schindler R.I.S.E, and our state-of-the-art self-climbing Schindler CLIMB Lift system.
"It was the first time Schindler R.I.S.E and Schindler CLIMB Lift were used in mainland China," says Junqing Bao, Vice President of New Installation, Schindler China. "Following their success here, I'm sure they’ll be used in many more projects in the future."
Shanghai's Xujiahui district has long been a hub of commercial activity within the city, and Three ITC, located on Hongqiao Road, has played an integral role in the area’s recent transformation. The complex includes two main buildings and a retail podium – home to offices, commercial spaces, a five-star hotel and a seven-floor luxury shopping mall.
It was the first time Schindler R.I.S.E and Schindler CLIMB Lift were used in mainland China," says Junqing Bao, Vice President of New Installation, Schindler China.
Three ITC is the highest
building in the district and the
fourth tallest in Shanghai.
The centerpiece of the complex, the 370-meter Tower B in Three ITC, is the highest building in the district and the fourth tallest in Shanghai. It’s serviced by our elevators, which reach speeds of up to seven meters per second.
Throughout the complex, our team has installed a total of 71 Schindler 7000 elevators – eight of which are double-deckers – and five Schindler 5500 Machine-Room Less (MRL) elevators, as well as 133 Schindler 9300 escalators.
Fitting in with the surroundings
The architecture of Three ITC reflects Shanghai's growing status as a modern and multifunctional world-class city, demonstrating how thoughtful design can transform a dense urban area into a vibrant, interconnected community space.
However, being so tightly adjoined to the local neighborhood came with a special challenge – limited space. The construction site was tightly bordered by residential houses, shopping centers, and schools.
"The challenge was not just to build, but to build without affecting the people around us," says Jack He, our Sales Manager for the project.
This is where Schindler CLIMB Lift proved invaluable. Unlike traditional external hoist lifts that attach to the building’s exterior, Schindler CLIMB Lifts are installed internally in the building’s permanent elevator shaft, climbing upward as each new floor is added. This innovative self-climbing system provides workers with a safe, stable platform – in all kinds of weather.
"It's much faster and stronger and more efficient than outdoor hoist lifts. It reduces waiting times and improves efficiency, which in turn shortens the total construction period," says Jack.
And, as the Schindler CLIMB Lift is internal, it can be used around the clock, transporting people and materials during night shifts. This is not usually possible with the noisier outside hoist lifts, which can disturb neighbors.
Growing together
"Schindler CLIMB Lift grows together with the building", says Paul Huang, Installation Master Trainer. "As the building grows taller, the Schindler CLIMB Lift can serve more floors."
Schindler CLIMB Lift is already popular in other high-density cities, such as Hong Kong and Singapore. So, it was no surprise that the developer of Three ITC, Hong Kong-based Sun Hung Kai, requested that the technology be used during construction.
Since the technology hadn’t been used in mainland China before, Paul Huang, one of our Installation Master Trainers based in Shanghai, spent several weeks at our factory in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – where the Schindler CLIMB Lift components are manufactured. Along with the local team and some engineers from Switzerland, Paul learnt all the ins and outs of the system – so that when he returned to China, he could train the team there.
"It was challenging, as none of our engineers or technicians in Shanghai had worked with Schindler CLIMB Lifts before," he explains. "But they are a smart group of people, and it didn’t take long for them to master the intricacies of the process."
Rising to the challenge
Another first in China was the use of our Robotic Installation System for Elevators, Schindler R.I.S.E. The autonomous system drills and sets the anchor bolts required for landing doors, divider beams and wall brackets in the shaft. A camera is mounted onto the platform to allow remote viewing, but the system can operate independently – once set up, no operator is required.
At this stage of the project, the Covid-19 pandemic had just hit, which meant that our Schindler R.I.S.E instructors were not able to travel to China as originally planned. Once again, Paul packed his bags and this time, flew to Switzerland in pursuit of knowledge.
There, he spent 20 days at our research and development center, acquiring the knowledge required to set up and run the process – working with the robots in simulated hoistway environments. Back in Shanghai, he trained three engineers, who are all now certified in operating the Schindler R.I.S.E system.
"It’s fair to say that everyone on-site was very impressed with our Schindler R.I.S.E robot when they saw it in action," says Paul proudly.
While the Schindler R.I.S.E ensures superb accuracy and installation quality, there's another key area the robotic system helps improve – human safety and wellbeing. The robot takes over the drilling of the thousands of anchor bolts required for the installation of elevators, freeing up fitters' time to focus on other aspects of the installation.
"Drilling in a shaft, sometimes hundreds of meters tall, is hard work," explains Paul. "It's a repetitive and physically demanding job. Schindler R.I.S.E helps to improve safety by reducing the amount of time our technicians spend in the shafts."
Building the future
To help coordinate everything on-site, Building Information Modeling (BIM) was also used to create a digital representation of the complex. This allows each team – from elevators to plumbing – to view the same, up-to-date version throughout the life cycle of a project.
"Systems like Schindler R.I.S.E can connect directly with BIM, which ensures they are working with the latest designs," says Paul. "It’s another way we can make the jobsite more efficient."
Landscaped terraces and green spaces provide oases of nature amid the dense urban environment. The complex incorporates several energy-efficient features, including high-performance glass façades that reduce heat gain, as well as smart building systems that optimize energy usage. Our eight double-deck elevators installed can transport more people in less time – saving both space and energy.
What's the future for pioneering technologies such as Schindler CLIMB and Schindler R.I.S.E in China? For Paul, it's a no-brainer.
"Innovative technology helps make our industry safer, more sustainable, and more efficient," he says. "This is the future."