GEZE’s automatic doors provided the perfect solution for a new building where environmentally friendly criteria was at the heart of its design.

When CABI needed a new home to replace the old school building they had been in for 33 years and now required a high level of maintenance they turned to international design practice Scott Brownrigg.

The challenge was to design an energy efficient, purpose-built headquarters for the not-for-profit organisation that was in keeping with their values of protecting the environment and enhancing bio-diversity, provided a workplace for up to 180 members of staff and was an impressive local landmark.

The new entrance had to meet this exacting vision.

A GEZE Slimdrive SCR automatic curved sliding door was chosen to provide a light and airy all-glass lobby entrance which blends seamlessly into the facade.

The circular entrance features two sets of automatic bi-parting curved glass sliding doors, creating a lobby that minimises heat loss or gain and so helps to contribute to the building’s environmental credentials.

In addition the Slimdrive SCR combines high performance with unobtrusive operation – the drives are just 7cm in height and very discreet.

Situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and in keeping with CABI’s values the building is topped with a living roof designed to attract insects and birds and enhance bio-diversity.

GEZE UK national specification manager Richard Richardson-Derry said: ‘Creating an environmentally friendly building was essential to CABI and we were delighted to work closely with Scott Brownrigg to play a part in achieving this. The Slimdrive SCR is perfect for providing an entrance that limits temperature variation‘.

Said Ed Hayden from Scott Brownrigg: ‘We are extremely proud of the CABI Headquarters, it is an eye catching building yet stays true to the core values of the organisation. GEZE’s solution of a lobby entrance fitted perfectly with what we wanted to achieve‘.

The CABI headquarters were shortlisted for the ArchDaily Building of the Year 2021 Awards.