The challenges facing today’s primary sector industries are manifold and profound. If we are to continue to use traditional farming methods, greenhouse emissions and the amount of the earth’s landmass dedicated to agriculture would need to double, and water would need to increase to over 120 per cent of the available resource.

More than ever, we need science to deliver creative, innovative and smart solutions to managing our food security, resources and waste. The new Waimarie Lincoln University Science Facility creates an environment for researchers and scientists to come together to overcome these challenges through collaboration.

Designed to be an epicentre for education and research in the land-based disciplines, as well as a hub for interorganisational partnerships, industry-wide collaborations and centres of excellence, Waimarie features state-of-the-art teaching, research and collaboration spaces complemented by multi-use flexible workspace and social zones, all set within a biodiverse park-like environment.

The project is home to Lincoln University’s Department of Pest Management and Conservation, the Department of Soil and Physical Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences professional staff including faculty administration, Bioprotection Aotearoa. It houses one of the largest entomology collections in the southern hemisphere and is home to several other significant research partnerships.

Furniture: Europlan. Lighting: PLN Group – Hush round pendants, EnergyLight – Linear Extrusions, EAE Lighting – Rinoa pendant, Exenia MAG Pendant. Finishes: Canterbury Clay Bricks – cladding, Equus DeBoer membrane – roofing Wools NZ – Carpet, Jacobsens – wall and core tiles, Nora – rubber flooring, Laminex – Interior Joinery finishes, Durastone -tiles entry / cafe, Woven image and Asona – acoustic linings, Tarket Vinyl – flooring to laboratories, T&R acoustic ceiling battens, Forman Armstrong metal – ceiling mesh, Quantum group – Cork finishses, Textilia – NZ wool furniture fabrics. Fittings & Fixtures: Tectonus – seismic dampening system, Kaynemaile – Café security, Xlam – timber stairs , Westlab – Lab joinery, JB joinery – Interior joinery, Carl Stahl Xtend – stair balustrade.

Photography: Hamish Melville