Stories from Cities
Date of completion: October 2025
Floors: 10
Building owner: As Oy Lahden Paavolankeskus
Thanks to KONE's lifecycle approach to equipment care, an aging KONE MonoSpace elevator was given a new life – upgrading all key elements with a KONE Upgrade modular package. The goal was to provide smooth, safe rides at improved speed for years to come, incorporating energy savings to deliver a more sustainable solution.
Even well-maintained elevators eventually need modernizing. Thanks to the KONE Upgrade offering, all needs were met with a sustainable, energy-efficient approach.
To avoid expensive spare part repairs in the future, a modular upgrade package was considered the best option to extend the elevator's lifespan. By performing the required upgrades all at once, elevator downtime was minimized and the job was completed in just 2.5 weeks!
The renovation went really well and ended up being very quick – thanks to (KONE installer) Mika.
Rauni Lindman Chairman of the Board of the Housing Association
Since the elevator is used so heavily, it’s a big advantage that it’s now really fast. And of course, we also got new displays, which is new for us — before, we couldn’t see which floor the elevator was on, so those improvements have been great.
Rauni Lindman Chairman of the Board of the Housing Association
Removing old parts and installing new ones is much easier than trying to fit old and new together. For example, when the motor was replaced, the wiring fit directly. A complete, pre-designed package makes the process much faster.
Mika Vähämäki Installer, KONE
We want to give credit here, since we had a fast delivery time, and direct thanks to (KONE installer) Mika — he did an excellent job. Thanks also to you, (KONE sales) Janne, and to KONE.
Rauni Lindman Chairman of the Board of the Housing Association
In this 10-storey building, the elevator waiting time could be long. So long, in fact, that for some tenants taking the stairs felt like a more efficient way to get home. But this exhausting mode of travel clearly wasn't suitable for everyone.
The neighbouring building had partnered with KONE and undergone a partial modernization upgrade a while ago. Seeing the positive benefits for both the building and its tenants – the housing association decided explore a similar process.
The Board of Directors at the housing association looked at a range of options – including modernization proposals from KONE competitors. But KONE is a partner for life – and it was quite clear no other company could offer the same (speed lift) package and service.
The benefits weren't just improved speed – with a connected elevator, they unlocked digitalization and predictive maintenance, key to future-proofing equipment and saving money on callouts down the line – even remote rescue is possible. Connectivity also enables integrations with different access systems – for example, iLOQ.
By continuing to partner with KONE, the housing association is able to take advantage of our lifecycle approach to equipment care, and reap ongoing benefits across the years: The grass might appear greener elsewhere – but in reality, it grows best where you water it.
A new motion sensor that uses a beam of light spans from floor to ceiling. This allows the system to recognize movement from smaller users – such as children and pets – who may not have been reliably detected before, significantly enhancing the safety of the elevator.
The oldest MonoSpace series moved at a speed of 1m/s. In a 10-floor building, this can sometimes feel slow. With the comprehensive KONE MonoSpace DX Upgrade the speed was increased to 1,6m/s – and tenants could immediately feel the difference in their everyday life.
By modernizing all key parts of the elevator at once, it gets a second life with minimal disruption to tenants. Downtime can be as short as two weeks, and because the guide rails and other major mechanical components remain in the shaft, the work is less intrusive – keeping living areas clean and accessible.
In the same way as in-shaft maintenance keeps the process contained – it also keeps CO2 emissions as low as possible, contributing to improved energy efficiency over the equipment lifecycle and uplifting the sustainability credentials of the building at the same time.
For this project, the customer selected a comprehensive KONE MonoSpace DX Upgrade, including a speed upgrade with car and sling module, allowing for a faster, all-in-one uplift. Thanks to KONE's lifecycle approach to equipment care, which uses age-specific solutions to efficiently manage equipment from installation through maintenance and replacement – an effective uplift was delivered on-schedule and at a reduced lifetime cost.
A new controller and electrification system enables connectivity while improving the elevator’s reliability, energy efficiency, and safety. With connectivity in place, the elevator supports predictive maintenance, remote diagnostics, and digital services, reducing downtime by allowing issues to be detected and resolved before they occur.
Upgrading the part of the elevator that does most of the hard work is vital to maintaining safety and ride comfort.
A new automatic door for your elevator improves safety. Our lightweight doors maximize space inside the car and ensure a smooth and quiet ride.
The upgraded car interior improved both the building’s value and the ride experience, and the customer appreciated being able to choose a design that matched exactly what they wanted. Tenants also responded positively, especially to the brighter lighting and the clear display screens.
In this 10-storey building, the elevator waiting time could be long. So long, in fact, that for some tenants taking the stairs felt like a more efficient way to get home. But this exhausting mode of travel clearly wasn't suitable for everyone.