08 Oct AgResearch chooses EasyGate Elite to safeguard Christchurch headquarters
Leading New Zealand Crown Research Institute AgResearch complemented its state-of-the-art Lincoln headquarters with two lanes of EasyGate Elite speedgates to streamline access for staff and visitors when it opened in 2023.
The cutting-edge centre is a hub for agricultural research and collaboration with industry and tertiary partners throughout the Canterbury region, and is designed to drive innovation and enhance productivity in the sector to benefit New Zealand’s environment and society.
Entrance Control General Manager Michael Bystram said the gates installed at the facility were chosen to provide a secure solution that was reliable, aesthetically pleasing and easy for building occupants and visitors to use.
“Our EasyGate Elite speedgates offer the perfect blend of robust security and user-friendly operation, ensuring smooth passage for authorised personnel while protecting the centre’s high-tech laboratory equipment and valuable intellectual property.
“As research institutions worldwide face evolving security challenges, the successful installation at AgResearch Lincoln serves as a testament to the effectiveness of modern entrance control solutions.”
The speedgates’ stylish stainless-steel finish provided an elegant contrast to the rich wood panelling expressing the centre’s agricultural identity, greeting and guiding guests through its main entrance, he said.
What’s in EasyGate Elite?
The recently upgraded EasyGate Elite speedgate contains a suite of safety sensors to pinpoint the location of users and prevent barriers closing on people passing through a lane, while a squad of 18 S-Beam sensors maintain watertight security coverage.
On-board technology allows easy integration with access control and destination lift control systems, plus activation of door locks, elevators, CCTV and other third-party security devices if a security breach occurs. The speedgate model is compatible with a range of accessories, including WAV players, QR Code readers, biometrics and visitor card return systems.
AgResearch’s HQ: A building for the modern age
The design philosophy of AgResearch’s headquarters was firmly rooted in environmental sustainability and aimed to minimise its ecological impact by using local materials and employing a lightweight timber framework for its office spaces. The result was a 78% reduction in carbon emissions compared to traditional steel and concrete constructions.
The building is fittingly adjacent to the Lincoln University campus, with the university boasting an impressive pedigree as the oldest agricultural teaching institution in the Southern Hemisphere, having been being founded in 1878.