by ellysharples
In today’s hybrid workplaces, office receptions are no longer quiet areas, they are dynamic hubs where employee numbers can swing from 30-40% capacity on a typical day to near full during peak events or all-hands on meetings. Security remains non-negotiable, yet the last thing any organisation wants is for entrance control to create bottlenecks, queues or frustrated users. At Gunnebo Entrance Control, we believe security shouldn’t slow people down. Our speed gates are specifically engineered to deliver seamless, intuitive access control that prioritises user experience in high-traffic office buildings while maintaining full compliance and advanced fraud prevention.
The challenge is clear. Hybrid schedules create unpredictable traffic patterns. Employees expect contactless, mobile-first entry. Visitors and contractors need time-limited, zone-specific access . At the same time, entrances must be accessible and inclusive for everyone, including persons with reduced mobility (PRM), in full compliance with relevant standards. Traditional solutions often force a trade-off between security and flow. Speed gates eliminate that compromise by designing entrances for people, not just policies, while remaining fully compliant.
Real-world challenges in high-traffic office entrances
Modern office receptions face “feast-or-famine” occupancy. A quiet morning can turn into a surge of 200 people arriving for a major meeting within minutes. Manual check-in desks create queues; rigid policies frustrate hybrid workers who simply want to “just walk in” using their phone or badge. Overly cautious systems trigger false alarms when someone pauses to scan credentials, eroding trust and slowing everyone behind them. Conversely, insufficient detection invites tailgating, compromising security and audit trails.
Accessibility adds another layer. Entrances must accommodate wheelchairs, pushchairs, luggage or deliveries without compromising aesthetics or security. Inclusivity is no longer optional, it is a core part of brand experience and regulatory compliance. Employees and visitors expect intuitive, welcoming design that feels premium and effortless, not like passing through a checkpoint.
Gunnebo Entrance Control speed gates address these challenges head-on through intelligent, people-centric engineering. They combine high throughput sleek aesthetics that complement modern interiors, and smart features that guide users naturally while delivering robust security.
Intuitive access control: the key to better flow
The most effective security is invisible until it needs to be felt. Our speed gates achieve this through in-lane badging, a smart detection system that only activates credential scanning when a person is properly standing in the lane. This prevents unnecessary alarms caused by users scanning from the wrong position or while still walking through. Combined with single-person detection, tailgating alarms, wrong-way detection and well-proven fraud-detection algorithms, the system ensures only authorised passage without interrupting legitimate flow.
Visual and audio guidance within the gates further enhances the experience. Clear visual cues come via LED indicators; dynamic passage lighting, way-mode indicators and illuminated pictograms that instantly confirm or deny passage. These features reduce hesitation and create a welcoming “come through” gesture as the panels open smoothly in the direction of travel. Audio feedback provides additional clarity, especially valuable for PRM users and in busy, noisy environments. Wider configurable lane widths (standard 600 mm or 900 mm) and adaptable gate behaviour for different user types ensure the system feels inclusive and intuitive for everyone.
The result? Employees and visitors move confidently and quickly. Queues disappear. Reception areas stay calm and professional. Real-time occupancy data from passage confirmation signals can even feed into building management systems for smarter hot-desking, HVAC and cleaning decisions.
SpeedStile range: tailored solutions for office lobbies
Gunnebo’s SpeedStile family offers four standout models optimised for busy office environments. Each balances security, aesthetics and flow while allowing full customisation to match corporate branding and interior design.
SpeedStile FL is an elegant flap-panel speed gate that combines an effective barrier with exceptional throughput. Its transparent glass design preserves natural light and minimises the perceived barrier effect, while the panels swing open in the direction of passage, creating an inviting welcome gesture. With flow rates up to 40 people per minute, configurable 600 mm or 900 mm lanes, and flap heights from 1.0 m to 1.8 m, it adapts perfectly to varying security needs. Optional dynamic passage lighting, way-mode indicators and illuminated symbols provide clear visual guidance. Minimal footprint and customisable finishes (stainless steel, powder-coated aluminium or Corian® lids) make it ideal for premium reception areas where style matters as much as security. Bi-directional operation and integration with any reader device (including future-proof biometric and facial-recognition systems) ensure it grows with your organisation.
SpeedStile FLs brings a slim, elegant profile with tempered glass swing gates and a stainless-steel body. Its minimal footprint is perfect for space-constrained lobbies, yet it delivers high reliability in high-traffic settings. Key intelligent features include single-person detection, card-controlled passage, crawl protection (165 mm gap beneath the wings), tailgating and wrong-way alarms, plus stacking capability, allowing multiple users to tap once and enter sequentially without delays. Configurable lane widths and different glass heights provide flexibility for diverse users, while fraud-detection algorithms keep security tight. Custom materials and finishes ensure the gates blend seamlessly into any office aesthetic, optimising both space and user experience.
SpeedStile FP Glide represents the latest evolution in entrance control. This full-panel speed gate features smooth, fast-operating sliding doors and bi-directional passage that feels effortless. Advanced sensors distinguish between climb-on and climb-over attempts, dramatically reducing false alarms while deterring fraud in real time. Door opening and closing speeds can be adjusted according to authorised user profiles, further enhancing the experience. Customisable lane configurations, glass heights and a wide range of powder-coated finishes allow perfect integration with modern office architecture. Suitable for card readers, QR codes and barcodes, the FP Glide is future-ready for mobile credentials and biometrics, ideal for hybrid workplaces that demand both style and uncompromising security.
SpeedStile FLs MAX completes the family as a high-security variant within the FLs series. It retains the slim, elegant design and all the intelligent detection features of the FLs while offering maximum security options; higher glass, enhanced fraud prevention and robust construction for the most demanding office environments. Like its siblings, it prioritises flow and inclusivity without ever compromising on compliance or aesthetics.
All four models share core strengths: high reliability, minimal maintenance, and the ability to adapt gate behaviour to user type, delivering faster flow for familiar employees while maintaining strict control for visitors. Wider lanes and audible/visual feedback ensure full PRM compliance and genuine inclusivity.
Designing entrances for people, not just policies
Gunnebo Entrance Control speed gates prove that compliance and user-centric design are not mutually exclusive. They deliver layered security; credential validation, physical barriers, anti-tailgating sensors and real-time alarms; while presenting an open, welcoming face to the building. Transparent materials reduce intimidation. Dynamic lighting and audio cues guide users intuitively. Configurable lanes accommodate everyone. The result is an entrance that feels like an extension of the brand: professional, inclusive and efficient.
Organisations using Gunnebo Entrance Control solutions report smoother morning rushes, fewer complaints at reception, and better utilisation of reception space. In hybrid offices, instant credential updates for flexible schedules and real-time occupancy insights further streamline operations. Over 90,000 SpeedStile installations worldwide demonstrate that these gates deliver measurable improvements in people flow without ever sacrificing security.
The future of office access is already here
Busy office buildings no longer have to choose between security and speed. With Gunnebo SpeedStile FL, FLs, FP Glide and FLs MAX, you gain entrance control that works with people rather than against them. In-lane badging prevents nuisance alarms, visual and audio guidance removes hesitation, and sleek, customisable designs enhance rather than detract from your workspace aesthetic.
Security shouldn’t slow people down, and with the right speed gates, it never will.
Ready to transform your office reception? Explore the full SpeedStile range or contact our team to discuss how these solutions can be tailored to your building’s unique requirements. Because the best entrances don’t just control access, they enhance the entire arrival experience.