The redevelopment project for the historic Italian headquarters of the Schindler Group, one of the world’s leading suppliers of lifts and escalators, was officially unveiled on 27 May 2025: the new face of the Swiss giant’s Italian headquarters was unveiled during a press event attended by Matteo Napoli, CEO and General Manager of Schindler Italia, Antonio Gioli, founder of GBPA Architects, and Mauro Capitanio, Mayor of Concorezzo.

The design of the new headquarters? An innovative concept that focuses on the well-being of employees through the combination of architecture and sustainability. The new headquarters is signed by the international studio GBPA Architects and will meet the most up-to-date requirements in terms of energy saving and renewable sources. Consistent with these principles, the entire complex is designed to achieve LEED GOLD certification.

“An intervention that has strategic value for Schindler because,” CEO Matteo Napoli told Elevatori Magazine, “the Italian market is, after China, the second largest market in the world for installed elevators, it is a core market and with this investment it becomes even more important for the Schindler family.”

The Project’s First Images

Schindler Italia’s new headquarters in Concorezzo: a sustainable hub designed for people’s well-being

With a presence in Italy for more than fifty years, Schindler first developed in the production area of Novate Milanese (where the first Schindler Spa plant was built in 1956); in 1969 it was Alfred N. Schindler himself, a representative of the founding family of the Swiss company that recently celebrated 150 years in business, who decided to buy the plant, tower and offices in Concorezzo. Schindler himself, representative of the founding family of the Swiss company that recently celebrated its 150th anniversary, decided to purchase the site consisting of the factory, tower and offices in Concorezzo and to move the Italian headquarters to the Brianza province.

In over fifty years of activity, the company has interwoven its history with that of the region. A visual emblem of this presence is the Schindler Tower, which stands as a true hallmark of Concorezzo. Used to test prototypes of new lifts and for training courses for its specialist technicians, the tower is not only a symbol of the company’s commitment to research and continuous innovation, but also an architectural and identity landmark for the local community.

‘The redevelopment of our headquarters in Concorezzo,’ says Matteo Napoli, CEO and General Manager of Schindler Italia, “is an expression of the Schindler Group’s desire to continue investing in the Italian market with important medium- and long-term growth objectives, consolidating the company’s position among the industry leaders in innovation, technology and customer service. It is no coincidence that, in addition to the regeneration project of the central headquarters and in conjunction with the increasingly widespread presence of our company throughout the country, a constant renewal of our regional offices has also been underway for years. At the same time, the Concorezzo headquarters project represents a renewed commitment to the territory that has been our home for over fifty years. Here we have built valuable skills and relationships: giving back to the community now a regenerated, modern and sustainable piece of urban fabric means for us to strengthen this bond to continue growing together in the future”.

“Schindler Italia’s new headquarters represents a virtuous example of how a company can dialogue with the environment, the community and the future, transforming them in a contemporary way and with an attentive eye to sustainability,’ says Mauro Capitanio, Mayor of Concorezzo. ‘The Municipality of Concorezzo renews its commitment to stand by the companies in the area with the aim of enhancing the important entrepreneurial reality that in our town finds a suitable ecosystem for growth and development.”

Matteo Napoli, CEO of Schindler Italia, left, with Architect Antonio Gioli, centre, and Mauro Capitanio, , mayor of Concorezzo, during the event.

An example of industrial identity enhancement

The redevelopment project, signed by the international studio GBPA Architects, redefines the identity of the historic headquarters through a modern and sustainable approach, whose cornerstones are the wellbeing of people, the quality of the working environment and sustainability. The masterplan covers an area of 22,580 square metres, with more than 11,000 square metres of existing buildings reorganised and upgraded, taking the form of an integrated architectural system, articulated in three main bodies: two existing buildings, subject to renovation, and a central volume of new construction that acts as a link between the two bodies. The first building will house the executive and administrative offices, while the second will accommodate the main shared functions, reception and representation spaces. The new volume, designed with a transparent and light architectural language, acts as a connecting element, contributing to a coherent and unified definition of the executive complex.

The test tower

The lift test tower, an iconic element of the headquarters and a recognisable symbol dear to the local community, is already the subject of a conservative restoration. The aim is to preserve its historical memory and integrate it into the new architectural context, through lighting and finishing solutions consistent with the language of the project.

A green project

The new headquarters will meet the most up-to-date requirements in terms of energy saving and renewable energy sources. Consistent with these principles, the entire complex is designed to achieve LEED GOLD certification, one of the most authoritative international standards for environmental sustainability. The buildings will be powered by a high-efficiency geothermal system, supplemented by photovoltaic panels and monitored by an intelligent BACS system for optimising consumption. Modular prefabricated glass and brick façades will ensure durability, low environmental impact and a significant reduction in construction time. Finally, the radiant ceiling heating system will ensure uniform thermal comfort and low consumption. “The project for Schindler Italia’s renovated headquarters,” says Arch. Antonio Gioli, founder GBPAArchitects, “was conceived as an integrated ecosystem of functions, capable of responding effectively and sustainably to the needs of the company and its people. Through the redefinition of the spaces and the adoption of advanced plant engineering solutions, we have given shape to an evolved company hub, oriented towards wellbeing, energy efficiency and the quality of the working experience.”

The focus is on people

In an age where interconnectedness and the quality of working life are increasingly important, this architectural project stands as a benchmark for a new vision of the working environment, where people are the protagonists. The pivotal element is the central square, a convivial and multifunctional space conceived as the beating heart of the architectural complex. Accessible from all the buildings and connected by an internal glass walkway, the square accommodates the common functions – auditorium, cafeteria, restaurant – becoming a meeting and relationship place for employees and collaborators. A context where dialogue and the exchange of ideas are not only encouraged, but designed to stimulate meaningful and innovative relationships. The project fully embraces the importance of a healthy working style focused on well-being, including spaces that encourage physical activity and relaxation, as well as personal growth and skills development. A company gymnasium and the renovated Training Centre, the technical training centre that has always been the company’s flagship, complete the project.

The offices will be distributed over several levels, each with green terraces designed as informal spaces for breaks and socialising, thus promoting more agile and collaborative working. The architecture emphasises flexible spaces, natural light and acoustic and thermal quality for a healthy, dynamic and attractive working environment. The architectural design does not merely respond to practical needs, but reflects a vision that places the human being at the centre, creating a place where innovation, well-being and collaboration are the keys to success. An environment, therefore, designed to stimulate creativity and teamwork, where every element has been conceived to meet the needs and desires of those who live there on a daily basis. Schindler thus confirms its commitment to building a more human future, with a space that is not only functional, but a place that inspires, encourages encounters between people and with the environment and promotes well-being in all its forms.

Dialogue between institutions and business

At the event on 27 May, in addition to the Municipality of Concorezzo, represented by the mayor, other important institutions in the area were also present: the Province of Monza and Brianza and Assolombarda. The President of the Province of Monza and Brianza, Luca Santambrogio, was represented on the occasion by the Councillor in charge of Labour and Welfare, Francesco Cirillo, who said: “Through this important intervention on its premises, Schindler confirms its relationship with Concorezzo and Brianza. His is a precious presence for us for several reasons, first of all the solid contribution in terms of qualified jobs, but also for the partnerships built in terms of training of our young people, such as the one with the Marconi Professional Training Centre of AFOL MB here in Concorezzo. We are counting on this intervention to be a model for many other enhancements of historic companies in Brianza that, by renewing and consolidating themselves, can also renew and consolidate the attractiveness of our province for investments and workers”.

“Schindler has forged very close ties with our territory and has decided to invest in a renovated, innovative, sustainable and functional headquarters also for the people who work there and for the many young people who come here to strengthen their skills,” says Matteo Parravicini, President of the Monza and Brianza Branch of Assolombarda. “I am convinced that today a company must be able to attract people, talent, ideas, investments. A company must be a place where working is a choice, not an obligation, and where growing is a real possibility. In this way a virtuous system is generated that makes the area attractive, creating development opportunities for everyone.”