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

THE PETTY OFFICER

113 Victoria Ave, Albert Park

Visited: 19th September 2013

Design: Like a naval officer in uniform this door presented itself with impeccable professionalism. Soft greys, crisp whites, clean glass and blonde wood. All ship shape and reporting for duty sir!

I found the simplicity of this door pleasing to the eye, it framed beautifully, the colour scheme worked well together and everything felt in proportion and balanced. The feel of the 45 degree angled stainless steel handle felt amazing in the hand. I also liked the font of the lettering with the stripes. Yet despite all of this one thing kept throwing me out. Like mud on the pants leg of a bleached white naval suit, I didn't understand the purpose of the second bespoke crafted bronze handle above the stainless steel handle. Why is it there? Do you open with stainless steel then quickly reach for the bespoke or reach for the stainless steel with the right and push the bespoke with the left? The bespoke handle was a great design but it just didn't suit the door, have one or the other. Too much going on. Or if you are going to put a second handle on, keep going put 12 handles on. Cover the door in handles. Fast, smooth close yet there was a loud bang on the last section of the close. The sergeant has spoken!! 

NOW GIVE ME 20 FARKARRR!!!!!!

  

Door resistance: 3

Closure mechanism: Hidden hydraulic arm

Draft: Minimal

Squeak level: 0

Change return time: 15 sec

SAPA HILLS

112 Hopkins St, Footscray

Visited: 15th September 2013

Design: Like anybody who has been on an Antarctic expedition the first time you experience the majestic beauty of an iceberg floating precariously in the ocean with such grace defying physics, you can't help but be amazed and yet in awe of such a mass balancing like a skyscraper on a pin. This feeling surges in me whenever I come across a sheet of glass this size acting as a door with no support except for two pins on which it glides. I know it's possible, it's happening before my eyes, yet my mind can not accept this feat of engineering and physics. The fact that the complete shopfront is glass with no framework creates a seamless continuity of beauty. You almost feel as though you could be walking into a secret passage when opening the door. I like the exaggerated length of the stainless steel door handle, I feel emphasizes the size of the door. The square tubing however does not feel comfortable in the hand. Minor detail though. Minimal signage with a small push sign and some credit card stickers. The vinyl artwork works well and the font complements the interior. One minor design aesthetic fault though, why couldn't they have moved the open and closed sign down below HILLS. I know it's at eye level but it destroys the clean simplicity of this glass megalith by creating a busy cluster of clutter lapping in the central view of the door. Watching this door open and close was a constant source of wonderment and satisfaction.     

Door resistance: 2.5

Closure mechanism: Hidden hydraulic

Draft: Minimal 

Squeak level: 0

Change return time:  18 sec

ST EDMONDS

Rear 154 Greville St, Prahran

Visited: 12th September 2013

Design: A simple black steel framed door with a u-tube stainless steel lever handle, that was nice on the hand. Slight resistance on the open with this one, not uncomfortable though. The closure was guided by a hidden hydraulic system that I found delightful. The return was a medium pace, fast enough to keep a wintery breeze out and a slight bang at the end on the final close. I could say a little too loud to be comfortable however, the thing I found unique about this door is that it was deceiving. It looks like your average cafe door, it opens like any other cafe door, but yet the bang at the end of the closure replicated the sound of wooden bank door in a country town. How can this be? I listened intently every time someone left the building. Bang!! again, Bang!! again. I was instantly taken back to my childhood in the old Westpac of my home town. When I began reviewing doors, I never once thought the sound of a door could invoke such memories or even mimic the sound of another door. 

The distressed brick and sleepy birds graffiti, work well with the black hard edge of the door frame. I kind of like the random cross bar in the lower half of the window to break up the symmetry. The reflection on the glass is enough to keep a sense of mystery on the interior from the outside. Not too much is revealed upon arrival. The simple lines and the minimal spearmint green title and opening hours allow this door to almost vanish or even camouflage itself amongst the endless textures that surround it. I like the slight worn patch on the bottom left, which I hope is from years of foot traffic rubbing against it upon entering.

Factual history: The town of Saint Edmond in the centre east of France is 

10.38km2

The nearby cities and towns of Saint Edmonds are: 

Saint-Martin-de-lixy at 2.35km

& 

Saint-Maurice-les-Chateauneuf at 3.24km

154 Same as the address. Coincidence? I don't think so.

Door resistance: 2.5

Closure mechanism: Hidden hydraulic system

Draft: Minimal

Squeak level: 0

Change return time: 33 sec