02 Dec EasyGate SPT speedgates complete the look at Brisbane’s Midtown Centre
Nestled in the heart of Brisbane’s CBD, the Midtown Centre is a welcome addition to a vibrant inner-city environment. With its focus on the fluid movement of foot traffic, Centaman’s state-of-the-art EasyGate SPT was an easy choice for the centre’s entrance control system.
The commercial complex, combining two repurposed ex-government buildings, is a look to the future under Brisbane’s New World City Design Guide – Buildings that Breathe. Meshing modern aesthetics and a contemporary attitude to work with a more comprehensive, lifestyle-centric inner-city vibe, the building is set to be a hub of urban culture in the fast-changing city.
Designed by renowned Australian architects, Fender Katsilidis, the building is being promoted as an exemplar for a more sustainable approach to urban design, allowing aged buildings to be repurposed and given a new lease of life. The repurposing and refurbishment of the two buildings into one was 230 per cent more environmentally-friendly than a demolition and new build job, according to sustainability rating system Green Star.
Greeting visitors as they enter the building are Centaman Entrance Control’s EasyGate SPT. With 1200 mm glass barriers, the gates provide free-flowing entry, while the customisable aesthetic seamlessly blends into the surroundings.
The gates are integrated with the Schindler Destination Lift Control system, promoting further entry efficiency. When any visitor to the building passes through a gate, they are allocated a lift number, which is both displayed on a screen and called as they swipe through.
“Destination lift control systems are all about getting people up into the building with maximum efficiency,” says Michael Bystram, general manager at Centaman Entrance Control. “The system can also be set to limit how many people can enter a single lift, meaning appropriate social distancing can be easily managed to mitigate the risks posed by COVID-19.”
The building has six lanes of EasyGate SPT at the Charlotte Street lobby, with a further two lanes at the arcade retail entry. Powered by Centaman Entrance Control’s market-leading MDD motor – quieter and faster than alternatives – users gain access by swiping an authorised access card before passing through a bi-directional door-like glass barrier, which then closes quickly to prevent tailgating. The door-like design removes any entry hesitance that might come with other options, such as turnstiles, moving people through quickly.
The cutting-edge gates, with their hands-free entry system, seamlessly fit the overall design of the building, with its emphasis on safety post-COVID-19.
The centre features a wealth of greenery inside, filtering the air through natural means, as well as an emphasis on touchless amenities where possible.
The Midtown Centre, with its eye to an inner-city future that is safe and accessible, is well-positioned to add to the energy of Brisbane, and is already providing a blueprint for the sustainable revitalisation of urban property assets all around the world.