KON THAI

481 Nepean Hwy, Frankston

Visited: 19th June 2014

Design: Once again, another aluminium framed door with the standard U-tube handle. Nothing really exciting about the door itself, it was dark they had the shop address number displayed vertically on the centre of the door. That distracts you from the door. Lucky there was a bright yellow neon sign displaying the name in the window left of the door as the vinyl lettering could not be read as it blended into the background of the interior. What I did like about this door was that it revealed the interior. As you approach you really feel like you are entering an authentic Thai restaurant on the island of Ko Chang. I have got to give it to the owners for creating the illusion. Entering this door was like being transported from Frankston into a 10 day packaged deal of Thailand. That's what I like about doors, they don't have to be that exciting, but combined with an amazing interior they can shift your mind and perception of reality. On this particular night I was taken from a shitty outer Melbourne suburb into tropical holiday, where in my mind I was planning what temples and beaches I would be visiting tomorrow. Thank you Kon Thai for the break.   

Door resistance: 2

Closure mechanism: Hydraulic arm

Draft: Minimal

Squeak level: 0

Change return time: 56 sec

SEOUL SOUL

315 High St, Northcote

Visited: 7th June 2014

Design: If you have ever seen TRON: Legacy, walking into Seoul Soul is like entering, The End of The Line Club. Standing on the footpath it feels like you have stepped into the year 2020 from a 1984 vision of the future. You expect everyone to be eating capsules instead of real food. Not the case. The hot pink and yellow neon glow, the skeletal cages hanging from the roof and the full frontal glass window all work to create a sci-fi fantasy vision that L. Ron Hubbard would be proud of. Forget about super speed monorail trains and billboard sized LCD screens projecting propaganda films, this is the future right here. If you are going to do glass, go all the way. I found the extended vertical steel handle emphasised the height of the door and surrounding window. It also reflected the caged tubing structures hanging from the roof on the interior. Wether you are 6ft or a child there is somewhere to grab this handle. I like that it creates a visual loop through the glass, a metaphor for eternity. Simple, minimal and effective in gaining your attention. Normally I like a bit of mystery a door conceals to the interior, but this was like, "HERE IT IS, BABY. COME AND LOOK."I loved the reflection on the window when standing on the street. The door had a nice resistance and smooth flow on open and close. 

RELAX THEY'RE OCCUPIED!!!!     

Door resistance: 3

Closure mechanism: Hidden Pivot 

Draft: Minimal

Squeak level: 0

Change return time: 48 sec

BRUNSWICK FOODSTORE

29 Weston St, Brunswick

Visited: 16th May 2014

Design: Like a set from a Baz Luhrmann film, the entry to the Brunswick Food store is classic Australiana. The type of entry you would find in Broome or a small town in outback Queensland. There is something about corrugated iron walls that screams,

THIS IS AUSTRALIA!!! You'd better bloody believe it.

This is the look I think they are going for, your classic old country town food store. The white fly screen door ties it all nicely. It had a squeak on the open and close that only comes from a screen door. There was classic bang at the end on the close to allow the staff if they may be out the back on a quiet day, aware someone had just entered. There was a nice spaciousness to the door, it felt generous as you entered. The handle felt comforting in the hand and was easy on the pull open. Despite it being a cold day and this being the only door keeping the cold out, it seemed to do an amazing job for a screen door. Could be different on a windy day, but hey I was surprised. I was a little disappointed I didn't get to use their amazing wooden door that sits behind the screen door. This was permanently open while I was there. It has a rich golden stain to it and small panel windows in the top half that replicate the porch windows. I liked the recycled timber floor and planter boxes with the black country windows. It all created a welcoming feeling of goodness inside, almost like entering a Quaker barn. 

Door resistance: 1

Closure mechanism: Small hydraulic arm

Draft: Medium

Squeak level: 4

Change return time: 1.12 sec

JIMMY'S BAR

82 Vincent St, Daylesford

Visited: 6th May 2014

Design: Ok, now this isn't normal practice for me, to review a door I haven't eaten behind but this was one exception. On a little mid-week winter getaway to the picturesque town of Daylesford with the little lady, I came across this magnificent door handle of Jimmy's Bar. At the time the bar was closed so we didn't have the chance to experience the full eccentric qualities of this door. I must admit I was about to walk away from this but my judgement got the better of me and I could not possibly let this one go unnoticed. The door itself was nothing amazing just a glass panel on a pivot hinge. Yet the combination of the clean glass with the cast forearms with hands lifted it to another level of unique. I have never seen another door handle like it in my life. I am unsure of the significance of the hand gestures in relation to the bar itself. If we were to reference the hand Mudras of Hinduism and Buddhism the first gesture on the left door of the open palm would be known as the ABHAYA MUDRA, (the energy of No Fear) or PATAKA, (flag) in Indian Dance and the second gesture on the right door, (2nd photo detail) would be the GYAN MUDRA (Mudra of knowledge) which is meant to increase memory power and sharpen the brain, also known as the VITARKA MUDRA. Two very powerful symbols for an entrance. The thing I like about these handles is the worn polished surface of the handle on the right from thousands of hands pushing on the arm bringing a beautiful golden quality of the bronze to the surface. This reminds me of the Fontana Del Porcellino, (piglet fountain) the bronze fountain boar I came across in my travels in the bustling market of Mercato Nuovo in Florence. It is believed that if you place a coin in the mouth of the boar and the coin falls into the water you then rub the nose of the boar, you will one day return to Florence. Maybe this is the idea of the owners that by pushing on the forearm upon entering you will return to Jimmy's Bar or you will come away with no fear and a better memory. 

Original!! 

Who knows, either way it makes you want to touch it and on this rainy day it caught my attention even though the place was closed I had to go back and touch it and take a photo. Well done Jimmy!      

Door resistance: ?

Closure mechanism: Pivot

Draft: ?

Squeak level: ?

Change return time: 0 sec