AgResearch Construction Update

Construction of the new AgResearch facility in Lincoln, just outside of Ōtautahi Christchurch, is starting to take shape. Located on AgResearch land, the new facility is co-located with Lincoln University to encourage and enhance industry collaboration and partnership.

Designed to showcase the organisation’s research and innovation as well as attract future generations of scientists and students, the facility features a new workplace building and a laboratory building organised adjacent to one another.

Construction of the laboratory building is underway. Due to its specialised function, this building features a heavy mass concrete structural system with shear walls for lateral bracing and steel columns to take vertical loads.

Soon to start on-site will be the construction of the workplace building using a lightweight timber structure, which responds to the client’s brief to reduce the building’s carbon footprint and use of locally sourced materials. It has been designed to optimise efficiency and buildability and will be a showcase for innovative timber technology.

Construction of the facility is expected to be complete by the end of 2023.

Looking northeast, laboratory building precast shear walls all erected, structural steel placement underway. In the foreground, the Workplace building structural slab works are ongoing.

Laboratory building coloured precast concrete shear wall with rib texture

View from south end of laboratory building ground floor looking up though the building. Preparation of in-foundation fill is in progress. Comflor decking placement ongoing to upper levels.