30 years of KONE MonoSpace: How the machine room-less elevator has changed building planning

When KONE introduced MonoSpace, the world's first machine room-less elevator, in 1996, it was more than just a technical innovation. The system marked a turning point in elevator planning: a new principle that has permanently changed the planning and realization of buildings.

Three decades after its invention, the KONE MonoSpace is more than just an anniversary topic. As the demands on new and existing buildings continue to rise, the machine room-less elevator must also meet new requirements. Operators, planners and facility managers must use space efficiently, reduce energy consumption, organize building operations reliably and increasingly integrate technical systems into digital building structures.

More than just a technical principle
The machine room-less elevator was the starting point. Today, however, the decisive factor is how the system develops technically and functionally. Modern KONE MonoSpace solutions combine compact design with high energy efficiency, reliable operation and the ability to integrate securely into digital building structures. Today, the elevator is more than just conveyor technology. It is becoming a functional component of a networked building and a technical infrastructure that can support efficiency, availability and user comfort in equal measure. Digital connections create additional prerequisites for making operating data usable and controlling building operation in a more targeted manner.

Particularly in low and medium-rise buildings, cost-effective, robust and modernization-capable solutions are essential. This is precisely where the KONE MonoSpace has proven itself over many years. Its relevance lies not in its history, but in the underlying concept, which still meets current requirements in building operation today.

Relevance for new buildings and elevator modernization
The KONE MonoSpace remains interesting for new buildings because it simplifies planning and frees up space that can be used for other purposes. It is even more relevant for existing buildings. Many older systems are now reaching an age at which elevator modernization, replacement or further technical development are becoming a reality. This brings into focus not only the question of reliable transportation technology, but also of safe, state-of-the-art elevator operation, which ensures greater energy efficiency, good maintainability and integration into modern building logic.

Today, elevators are seen as part of intelligent buildings. Digital connections create additional opportunities to make better use of operating data, plan maintenance in a more targeted manner and integrate systems more efficiently into building operations. This also applies to predictive maintenance. AI-supported monitoring of operating data in the cloud helps to detect anomalies earlier and plan service calls better.

What began with a new design principle has thus evolved into a solution that offers tenants and users of different building segments as well as planners and operators of elevators more convenience and flexibility in everyday life and maintains its relevance even in increasingly digitalized buildings.

this year, 30 years after the revolution in the elevator market, KONE launches the KONE MonoSpace® 4 DX: a high-performance elevator designed for energy efficiency and sustainability and equipped with lightweight technology that further reduces the carbon footprint and energy consumption.

The technological development at a glance

• 1996: Introduction of the first machine room-less elevator
• 1996: KONE EcoDisc drive as the basis for new planning scope
• 2012: Advances in energy efficiency and ride comfort
• 2019: DX class with digital connectivity and open interfaces
• 2026: KONE MonoSpace 4 DX with focus on energy efficiency, sustainability and integration into new and existing buildings

You can find out more about KONE MonoSpace and its current further development on the anniversary website.