Entrance to Paradise

The client’s vision was to create an inviting statement door for their newly renovated home. Departing from the ordinary, they opted for a bold choice of materials that harmonized beautifully with the surrounding cedar cladding and slate steps, extending a warm welcome to guests visiting this beautiful home.

The first challenge was managing the proportions of the space in relation to balance of the materials. The original plan was to centralise the opening but we decided to maximise the entrance by offsetting the position of the door. This design choice expanded the frame to encompass the full width, seamlessly connecting the large oak facing to the cedar cladding, resulting in a grand entrance. . The interplay of the dark-stained oak against the subtly aged cedar and the blend of blackened brass accents introduced an added element of sophistication.

Another significant challenge was the weight of the door which required careful planning and management both in the factory an upon delivery to the site. Manoeuvring it into position within the confined foyer space with minimal clearance required careful coordination. On the day of installation, it took four men to lift the nearly 200kg door into its final position. The use of a pivot hinge mechanism provided the necessary support for its weight, enabling minimal clearances. Additionally, fine-tuning the hinge system with dampening features allows the client to control the soft-closing speed and set the door’s opening position. As a result, the door operates flawlessly, and has met the client’s brief.