THE CURRY CLUB

396 Bridge Rd, Richmond

Visited: 26th August 2013

Design: Well this is a first (for this blog), a door that pulls out to the street instead of a push in. Just to be sure you get the message there a 3 different PULL signs stuck at various positions on the door. To be honest I didn't see any of these when I opened the door. At first I was a little uncertain of the pull design, then I realized the reasoning behind this. In fact it was absolute brilliance, for within the restaurant the owners had built a draft barrier wall for the surrounding tables. This consisted of a tinted glass L-shaped wall framed in black timber. As customers opened the door none of the surrounding tables were bothered by the wind from outside. LOVED IT! To be honest, this door didn't need it as it had a smooth fast return with the hydraulic arm. The only problem with this concept was the aesthetic value was lost as the arm was visible as you entered. I liked the V-shaped entrance that guides you in a subtle way to the door. The vertical louvers are a nice touch at the top. A great door, all in all, black wooden frame and nice to see a brass mail slot built in. This added convenience seemed to create a touch of homely quality to the design. The door had a great full squeak that followed on the complete open and close and went through a range of tones. A nice little touch on the right window as you entered was the quote, "We're cooking all day, so you don't have to."

This was not curry in hurry, but papadam with a rustic charm.

Door resistance: 2

Closure mechanism: Hydraulic arm

Draft: Minimal

Squeak level: 3

Change return time: 15 sec

OTSUMAMI

257 High St, Northcote

Visited: 22nd August 2013

Design: Classic 4 glass panel shop front door structure. No additional work appears to have been done to this door to add any character or theme to represent this Japanese restaurant apart from a takeaway menu holder attached to the left door frame. The frame consisted of black Aluminium framing, simple and solid with rectangular hand grips both on the exterior and interior. Signage was a little understated and hard to see from the street at night. This was balanced with a circular metal OPEN/CLOSED disc suspended from a small chain that jingled quite nicely against the glass when the door was opened, almost calming. Light resistance on the open swing and a very smooth fast return on the close assisted by a hydraulic arm which was very effective in keeping the cold winter air out. We sat by the door and I found it to be well sealed with very little draft sucking in once closed.

Door resistance: 3.5

Closure mechanism: Hydraulic arm

Draft: Minimal

Squeak level: 0

Change return time: 1.12 sec

MISS JACKSON

2/19 Grey St, St Kilda

Visited: 21st August 2013

Design: I'm sorry Miss Jackson, I am for real. I found this door to be almost like a modernist painting or a Rothko with its simple bands of natural timber, black across the base and the L shaped stainless steel panel around the window trim. The central glass panel sat beautifully within the door, allowing a glimpse inside yet not revealing too much. There was a medium resistance on the open swing with a gentle return on the close. This door deserves to be somewhere more refined. Please don't take my words as criticism for the business itself. My criticism is for the building it is surrounded by, cement, black timber framing above the door and red brick. I feel for this door, it makes me sad to see such a beautiful door in this environment. Like a French model forced to live amongst poverty and squalor and uncultured peers, it sits there day after day performing its duty yet never given an opportunity to fully shine or to express its full potential. All I can say is render, please render and allow this door to be the door it was created to be.

Door resistance: 3

Closure mechanism: Hydraulic arm

Draft: Minimal

Squeak level: 0

Change return time: 15 sec

ROYAL MAIL HOTEL

98 Parker St, Dunkeld

Visited: 15th August 2013

Design: Every now and then a door comes along that sets the bar for what other doors should perform to. A door that stands in league of its own, the equivalent to a Rolls Royce in design, performance, quality and appearance. That door belongs to the Royal Mail Hotel. Simplicity in design is the strong point here, with 3 key materials wood, stainless steel and glass allow this door to sit comfortably in its structure. The glass is left free of any unnecessary signage or information, with the exception of a thick steel hand bar embossed with the name of the hotel. The rich mahogany texture of the wood allows the door to glow within its surroundings of pastel greens and white. The thick band of wood on the right, the off-centre glass and the buffed stainless steel across the base flow together like a symphony that is pleasing to the eye. Upon the first push to open you begin to realize that quality of materials and workmanship is of the utmost importance when it comes to a door and its performance. Behind this door one feels secure from the elements outside, the performance of this door exemplified the philosophy behind the establishment it protected. This door simply glides on the open push, despite its weight. Not a sound was made on its swing and closure. There was an elegance in the way this door slowly and silently closed on its hydraulic arm, almost like watching the Concord land at Heathrow Airport after a long flight across the Atlantic. Simply beautiful!

Door resistance: 4.5

Closure mechanism: Hydraulic arm

Draft: Minimal

Squeak level: 0

Change return time: 24sec

JASMINE THAI

213 Sturt St, Ballarat

Visited: 14th August 2013

Design: I loved the look of the rustic timber doors with their slightly asymmetrical wooden panels in the lower part of the door. Nothing works better than a gold door handle on natural timber. The handle was a pleasure to grasp with its ergonomic ornate design to cradle the hand on opening. I found the canary yellow of the "TAKE-AWAY FOOD", complimented the rich grains on the timber panels surrounding the door. The blue carpet in the windows combined with the foliage of tropical plants on either side and a gold waving cat, filled the mind with mystery and wonder as I entered into what felt like a Thai village temple. There was little resistance on the open swing and a slight squeak on the closure. It was nice to manually close this door. The wear and grime of many hands opening the door to the right above the handle, created a sense of history. All the necessary information (Open/Close Trading hours) was off to the right on a separate glass panel leaving the eye to wander. Minimal clutter in the main door glass, allowed the eye to be guided into the warmth of the interior. 

Door resistance: 2

Closure mechanism: Manual 

Draft: Minimal

Squeak level: 1

Change return time: 10.36 sec

MEXICAN KITCHEN

28 High St, Bendigo

Visited: 10th August 2013

Design: Two full length glass doors that gave a full view of the restaurant inside. No surprises here. The owners had decided to go a nice teal/aqua blue for the exterior to give it that full authentic mexican look. A classic stainless steel u-shaped handle positioned central to give full grip and a controlled swing. The slightly transparent vinyl lettering in what appears to be clip-art font along with an aztec sun adds to the mexican feel. Theme wise it lacked a little apart from the colour and signage.  A classic when it comes to country town Mexican restaurants. AAARREEEEBAAA!!!!!!!!! 

Door resistance: 1.5
Closure mechanism: Hydraulic arm

Draft: Minimal

Squeak level: 1

Change return time: 28 sec

THE STABLES OF COMO

Como House and Garden, Cnr of Williams Rd & Lechlade Ave, South Yarra

Visited: 30th July 2013

Design: An impressive entrance with the illusion of entering a private marquee in the bird cage area of the Melbourne Cup. Double full length glass doors in Hawthorn green (exterior) white (interior) add to the country club feel. There is a high reflection factor making it hard to see the interior until you are in the building. The handle is a modern stainless steel design that is smooth on the hand. I found that the door slightly jammed as I tried to open it, then did the buckle and shake as it released leaving me uncertain if the glass panel would not break. There was little resistance on the push and pull (once past the sticking issue). The hydraulic arm was slow on the close and only closed the door 3/4 of the way shut allowing a continual winter breeze to suck in until one of the staff had to walk over continually to close it (see photo). The door had a slight squeak but I found it pleasing to the ear. 

Door resistance: 2

Closure mechanism: Hydraulic arm / slow

Draft: High

Squeak level: 3

Change return time: 10 sec

DAINTY SICHUAN

176 Toorak Rd, South Yarra

Visited: 24th July 2013

Design: What a door to start with, these guys know what it takes when it comes to an entrance. Where do I begin? Your view is instantly guided to the central glass panel that gives you a glimpse of a fat bronze gentleman eating at table and some black vinyl chairs. Surrounding the glass we are presented with some impressive pyramid geometric panels, sectioned by black steel frames. This combined with the blue stone pillars framing the door gives the feeling you are about to enter an ancient temple. For the added level of kitsch the main door is balanced by four panels of marbled glass. Centralized trading hours were handy and visible.

   Normally I am not a fan of blatant advertising on the door, the central glass was plastered with it, yet with the pyramid panels, marbled glass, massive sign and lights, "IT WORKED". It seemed to add to the mystery of the entrance. I loved the anticipation this door created.

Door resistance: 4.5

Closure mechanism: Hydraulic arm

Draft: Medium

Squeak level: 0

Change return time: 6.18 sec