PROUD MARY

172 Oxford St, Collingwood

Visited: 25th October 2013

Design: Well, what can I say. I am not sure if it was the combination of red brick, cement and navy blue colour scheme or the design I can't put my finger on it, but this door didn't really grab me in any way. It was clean, uncluttered, symmetrical and well crafted, ( I should love it for those qualities) but I don't know what to say, maybe it lacked soul. Is that too harsh? The most interesting thing about the door was the portafilter grips curved to form a handle on the interior.

Door resistance: 2

Closure mechanism: Hydraulic arm

Draft: Minimal

Squeak level: 0

Change return time: 12 sec

UAE

487 High St, Northcote

Visited: 21st October 2013

Design:  There is something I love about the v-shaped windows of shop fronts in the outer suburbs. Rather than a flat window, to be guided in by two diagonal lines to the central part of the door, I feel it's an unconscious homage to the door itself. The rustic wooden charm of this door is the first thing that instantly makes one feel welcomed and ready for an interesting experience. Like visiting an old friend or sitting in your favourite couch, the look and feel of this door is familiar and comforting. The term shabby chic has been thrown around so much lately I feel dirty using it, but this door holds those qualities in a good way. What looks like something that has been thrown together from scraps of wood, the construction of this door has been lovingly assembled and for me that holds a lot of appeal. The framing of the central window along with the patched nail holes and the gold art deco handle, unify to form a beautiful combination of materials. Up until this point, I don't think I have had the pleasure of opening a door from the right hand side. Great for the lefties in the world. The combination of pastel mosaic tiles, a retro shop number, stainless steel framing, natural timber and a brilliantly designed logo all work together in harmony. They shouldn't, but they do. An interesting feature was the OPEN / CLOSED sign displayed in English and Arabic Script. The squeak of the door once inside was soft and pleasing to the ear. I really loved the copper glazed lock on the interior. Above the door you are presented with some lovely ribbed glass, however I guess over the years one of these panels had to be replaced and they couldn't find the same glass which throws the symmetry off a little. Apart from that there is little to fault here. There is minimal fuss on the glass apart from a menu and some hand written trading hours, so there is little to distract the eye.

Door resistance: 2

Closure mechanism: Manual

Draft: Maximum

Squeak level: 2

Change return time: 47 sec

ORA-THAI

146B Station St, Fairfield

Visited: 18th October 2013

Design: Aluminium framed doors, I mean really how can you make these interesting? Well these guys have given it a damn good try. We have some Oriental styled vinyl graphics of flowers and oil paper, bamboo parasols, a simple push/pull sign and then on the interior a tropical fish chime to notify the owners of new customers entering. Colour choices for the surrounding wall of brick red I struggled with. However we are in Fairfield were red brick fills the landscape of most streets here. I guess they are subconsciously appealing to the home owners, clever. Now let's just work our way around each window. Starting on the bottom left we have an LED OPEN sign, some Thai figurines, a couple of menus, a notice, and some beautiful neon, with FAST in Italics and a tin for copies of takeaway menus. We then move to the top left window and here we have some lovely floral wrapping paper. Top centre we have some blue tac and paper sheets to make the phone number clear and easily visible for passing cars. Across to the top right, empty except for some led strip lighting cord. Then we finally come down to bottom right window and we have a collection of neon again with FAST italics, menus, some welcome pig statues and a sales corner of a magnificently framed photo of Dale Thomas in mid action shots playing for Collingwood. 

BEST OFFER CONSIDERED!! Not even taken, just considered. Interesting.

That's just the outside view.

Let's move inside. 

The best surprise is when you move inside to discover as you look back that the pieces of white paper in the top window are posters of Sydney Harbour Bridge and Uluru (Ayers Rock). The tropical fish chime on the door is a nice touch to alert the owners of new customers entering. The windows are filled with decorations of white plastic flowers and numerous other items, but you will just have to go and visit yourself to discover the complete collection of this sculptural masterpiece. 

All in all, despite being a rather dull run of the mill door, I was impressed with the amount of effort gone into bringing this drab piece of manufacturing to life. The door itself had a nice feel to it on the hand and the open and return were smooth with a gentle close. 

Door resistance: 2

Closure mechanism: Hydraulic arm

Draft: Minimal

Squeak level: 0

Change return time: 8 sec

WOODS SHERBROOKE

21 Sherbrooke Rd, Sherbrooke

Visited: 16th October 2013

Design: One of the most unusual doors I have been through. From the outside you feel as though you are about to enter a Roman burial crypt. With its black facade pillars and the Parthenon styled pediment and ornate tympanum you can not help but feel austere. Encased within these features the door is framed by thick heavy timber beams, again black, then the black timber door. On the inside you have a bright red wall and an arch feature that once in the past referenced a Chinese temple gate as this may have once been a Chinese restaurant. 
The mid panel of glass is filled with clutter of seven Good Food guide references, credit card stickers, Dandenong Ranges Tourism member number, a no smoking sign, some local notice, trading hours and a Licensee notice. Hmmm!!!

The gold plated cast door handle cradled the palm nicely, the door had a good weight to it and a mid range resistance. Nothing really inspired me about this door. It almost felt like the miss matched architecture of the Portmeirion village that features in the 1967 production of The Prisoner. 

Door resistance: 3

Closure mechanism: Hydraulic arm

Draft: Minimal

Squeak level: 0

Change return time: 49 sec

HANNAH

141 Chapel St, St Kilda

Visited: 10th October 2013

Design: Palindromes? Let me ask this question. If you were to stand on one side of a door on the exterior of a building, then walk through the door to the interior of the building and look at the same door, are you still the same person or has something changed in you?  Can I be two people and the same person at the same time? These are the questions I asked myself as I entered the door of HANNAH @ 141. Weird!!! You read it from the outside, you read it from the inside. Nothing has changed, except the perception of where you are. Are you opening the door to go in, (to go outside, in)? Or are you opening the door to go out, (to go inside, out)?....................WHAT!
For such a simple door it has created such complexity.
Black aluminium framing, full panel glass and a u-tube stainless steel handle, all standard characteristics of a shop front door. The clean lines and lack of clutter allow it to frame the interior of soft moon lamps and palms like a dream. The open is smooth with a soft close and click on the end. The metallic silver lettering is a nice touch with the capitals leading the mind to ponder, "are you reading it correctly, or is it reversed?" Pure fate that this door HANNAH should be at 141. Two palindromes working in unison.

Door resistance: 3

Closure mechanism: Hydraulic arm

Draft: Minimal

Squeak level: 0

Change return time: 10 sec

FRIENDS OF MINE

506 Swan St, Richmond

Visited: 2nd October 2013

Design: I always feel like I'm in the south of France when I enter this door. In some rural village like Beziers about to purchase some Crottin de Chavignol and a bottle of Pierre-Marie Chermette Vissoux Les Griottes Beaujolais 11. Its white, black and yellow palette and red blooming flower baskets hanging, OH SO RIGHT and that rustic country door that has aged so well. What more can you say. I love the signage playfully painted on the white brickwork and the yellow awnings bring an air of sophistication that make you feel defined and elegant in a Country Homes and Gardens kind of way walking through this door. Aesthetics are the key here and you know these people care about appearances. The copperesque metal plating on the base and the cast iron handle, work in unison with the natural timber of the door to form a marriage made in heaven. The handle fits to hand like a glove, with very little resistance on the push, the return is soft and pleasing. It appears this door was not made for this doorway as there is a large gap at the base where the length of the door falls short. This however, is no issue as the seating begins in the next room once you enter and go through the welcome reception area. I always find it interesting where people place their hands or their shoes hit the door on arrival. In this instance, even though the there is a door handle people have pushed just above the handle and the centre of the door. Looking at this door gives me a feeling of completeness and comfort knowing you are about to indulge in fine food and good conversation behind this door in a relaxed environment that is almost homely.   

Door resistance: 2

Closure mechanism: Hydraulic arm

Draft: Minimal

Squeak level: 1

Change return time:  15 sec

BREAKAS RESORT

Vanuatu

Visited: 25th September 2013

Design: Key Largo, Montego, baby why don't we go down to Cocomo. We'll get there fast and then we'll take it slow. 

Can you hear it? How can you not as you approach this amazing door, or lack of. With a sea breeze flowing through, sand right to the door, white linen table cloths, wooden carvings decorating the interior and a thatched roof, you are instantly transported to utopia. The only time I ever saw these doors closed was during a day of heavy tropical rain. By-folding wooden doors with glass louvers you can't get much better. I didn't get a chance to try these doors or see them in operation so I am not sure how smoothly they ran when opening or closing. Aesthetically it worked, the white sand against the dark timber and grey of the weathered thatch combined to create a vision of tropical wonder that instantly relaxes and calms the mind. You know even before entering you are about to experience something that can only be found on a tropical island. Paradise. 

Door resistance: 0

Closure mechanism: Manual

Draft: Maximum

Squeak level: 0

Change return time:  29 sec

WILD RICE - Asian Fusion Restaurant

Warwick, Le Lagon Resort & Spa, Vanuatu

Visited: 24th September 2013

Design: What an entrance! The low ambient lighting set in the garden and ponds on either side of the stone walkway lead you to the Asian magnificence in front. Menu boards symmetrically displayed beside two carved wooden pigs lead you to the solid timber doors.  A touch of Zen contemplation hits you as you push on the large copper circled handles that curve deliciously around the door to the interior. The theatrics of this door were amazing, I felt like a European dignitary entering a Royal Chinese Palace. Thick wooden beams surrounded the door and the glass panels on either side gave you a sneak preview into the interior. The weight of the door was appropriate for its size with enough resistance to add to its quality and appearance. A pleasing push to open with a gentle soft automatic closure. Exotic never felt so good.   

Door resistance: 4

Closure mechanism: Hydraulic arm

Draft: Minimal

Squeak level: 1

Change return time:  18 sec

BALI HAI

Iririki Island Resort, Vanuatu

Visited: 24th September 2013

Design: Slight disappointment with this one. Here we were in Vanuatu and I felt like I was in Noosa or Port Douglas with this door. Hand written chalk boards featuring the specials of the day cluttering up the entrance, terracotta tiles, hastily installed spotlights and lime washed timber, all came together to create a beer garden welcome for the Aussie tourist wanting a taste of home. Very little was appealing about this entrance and even though there was no door, there was no comparison to K & R Exotic Thai the night before. This was like the poor cousin. There was a sadness about this door that felt dirty, and had had its day back in the early 90's. 

Door resistance: 0

Closure mechanism: None

Draft: Maximum

Squeak level: 0

Change return time:  42 sec

K & R EXOTIC THAI

Port Villa

Visited: 23rd September 2013

Design: One of the problems I have found with Vanuatu is that many of the buildings have no doors, walls, windows or in this case the right signage. K & R Exotic Thai has taken over The Lookout restaurant & bar a month ago and are still using their signage. ISLAND TIME!

Aesthetically you can not get much better than than this. Approaching this entrance I felt like I was on the set of The Bachelor or Beauty and the Geek and someone was about to be eliminated. The "door" in this instance I guess, would have to be the gate. Modern, contemporary and simple in symmetry. Horizontal slatted wood, would give the passer-by a glimpse inside when closed. Yet open, these panels guide the eye to the tropical wonder behind. The soft lighting and rich dark browns of the timber entice you in, down the pebble path and soft green lawns to tropical paradise behind. With decking, vases of island flowers, thatched roofs and a beautifully lit skeleton of a once thriving tree for dramatic effect. You are taken to a magical place where the lack of doors, walls and windows are no longer important. I found this fascinating that even though there was no door, the structure of the building created the concept of a door. It was strange because, the absence of the door was more beautiful and pleasing than if a door had been there. Sometimes empty space can surpass the greatest craftsmanship. LESS IS MORE.

Door resistance: 0

Closure mechanism: Manual

Draft: Maximum

Squeak level: 0

Change return time: 1.15 sec

THE HAVANNAH

Samoa Point, Port Havannah, Vanuatu

Visited: 22nd September 2013

Design: Entering the private manicured grounds of The Havannah Resort the tropical garden path guides you down to this magnificently crafted door. The eye is instantly guided to this towering beauty, you can not miss it. Framed in black slate tiles with water fountains on either side and a mahogany timber beam across the top, this monolithic structure stands in dominance over the entrance like a tribal warrior. The design is a beautiful reflection of elegant tropical resort architecture. The seven glass horizontal panels allow a glimpse into the interior when closed, they also help to create a lightness to what would be a heavy form if it was just solid wood. The panels also seem to reflect the wooden venetian blinds that are popular in this part of the pacific. The handle was a simple carved stainless steel pipe, that felt comforting in the hand to hold. To my disappointment, the door was locked in the open position, so I did not have the pleasure or the opportunity to experience this amazing door in operation. With a door this size in order to gain smooth effortless flow it works on a central pivot system with a counterbalance. In regards to draft, this door was custom built for drafts. The central pivot allows the door to still be on display when open to allow the sea breeze to flow through without been hidden against a wall. Yet it has the strength to keep at bay a tropical storm when closed as gale force winds test its capacity.

The thatch roof above is open to the elements and compliments the door perfectly. These people care about an entrance, quality within a door and the importance of having this door as the main focal point on entry. Folks within my heart. What a pleasure to have had the opportunity to walk through this.       

Door resistance: ? Unsure as it was locked in the open position

Closure mechanism: Manual

Draft: Maximum

Squeak level: ? Unsure as it was locked in the open position

Change return time: 38 sec

SPICE INDIAN RESTAURANT

Nambatu Area, Port Villa, Efate, Vanuatu

Visited: 21st September 2013

Design: Well I am very excited to be reviewing my first International door in Port Villa Vanuatu. Like a beacon drawing you in from the dark dusty streets of Port Villa, the Spice Indian Restaurant door glows a magnificent violet from its flashing neon OPEN sign. As we were guided into a parking bay out the front of the restaurant by three shady characters sitting in the dark I was surprised to find one of these guys was a security guard for the premises who actually opened the door for us. An unexpected gesture I was not expecting. Framed in a navy blue aluminium, the single panel glass doors are simplistic in their design. The thing that lifted the mundane to a level of personal was the small chime that hung on the inside of the door, ringing gently as the new customers entered. The door had a stainless steel tube handle that felt nice in the hand, with a manual close. The subconscious is hit with a WELCOME mat that you don't tend to notice on your way in, a subtle touch. Being in a tropical area this door had the flexibility of by-folding panels to allow the doors to be opened up and the breeze to flow through on those hot humid nights.   

Door resistance: 1

Closure mechanism: Manual

Draft: Minimal

Squeak level: 0

Change return time: 35 sec