TrIIIple has transformed the Vienna skyline forever. The three high-rise buildings are not only the pride of the Austrian capital: They’ve left a lasting impression on the elevator installation specialists who’ve worked on them.
Our chief elevator installation engineers Mario Schlaffer and Gerhard Taschwer have both worked with us for over 30 years – and their enthusiasm for the work they do shows no sign of abating.
"Tall structures like the TrIIIple towers never fail to inspire me," says Mario. "With our training and experience, and thanks to great teamwork, we master any tasks set for us."
TrIIIple, which is located in Vienna’s third district, is within walking distance of the cosmopolitan city center, the green spaces of Prater Park, and the famous Danube Canal. Built between fall 2017 and fall 2021, the architecturally striking TrIIIple towers, with their eye-catching cantilevers, stand at just over 100 meters. The development houses more than 1,000 apartments, a library, shopping facilities, cafés, and restaurants.
With the help of Installations Manager Stephan Weickenmaier and that of a young team, Mario and Gerhard have installed 13 Schindler 5500 elevators in TrIIIple’s three towers. The elevators are equipped with our Schindler PORT system, which reduces waiting times by up to 25%, and lowers energy consumption by up to 40%.
We deployed one of our newest innovations while working on TrIIIple – Schindler R.I.S.E. This robot carries out difficult, dusty work on behalf of the installation engineers – drilling holes for the elevator guides and fitting anchor bolts.
"We're glad that we didn’t have to perform that part of the work," says Gerhard with a laugh. While Schindler R.I.S.E is not necessarily quicker than experienced professionals, it does achieve a higher degree of precision, as it doesn’t get tired. The robot can also detect the presence of iron in the concrete and avoid it when drilling.
Our team completed the installation of the elevators ahead of schedule despite the coronavirus pandemic, the highly complex nature of the project, and global shortages of raw materials.
The reason for this is clear, according to Daniel Reisenberger, CEO of Schindler Austria: "We have a dedicated team that doesn’t allow problems to escalate. Employees stay with us for a long time. That means that we also retain their expertise, which is one of the reasons why Schindler Austria is so successful."
Environmental sustainability – and more
TrIIIple was named the "Best Tall Residential Building" by the Council of Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH). It received this award for excellence mainly in recognition of its climate-neutral heating and cooling system, which uses water from the Danube and wind power rather than fossil fuels.
But TrIIIple has more than just environmental performance going for it. Its southern tower has 670 micro-apartments spread across 33 floors that have been leased to students and young professionals – helping to alleviate the city’s notorious housing shortage.
"When I see the three towers, I feel very proud," says Gerhard. "I don’t know how many elevators I've installed in my lifetime, but I'll never forget the ones in TrIIIple."