HARDWARE&SECURITY • 45
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A clash of perspective?
» » ONE COULD IMAGINE THAT
architects and door hardware pioneers
would constantly be clashing – the former
strives for aesthetic perfection while the
latter for functionality, safety and security.
However Simon Osborne, Commercial
Leader of Allegion UK, believes that it need
not be this way.
A frustrating game of give-and-take. That
is what the common architect’s mindset
must be when it comes to door hardware.
Of course, there are many considerations
when choosing door hardware. On choice,
the globalisation of the industry means
there are now vast ranges available on the
market. On compliance, increasing media
scrutiny means we must get it right or
face potential backlash, while legislations
that health and safety institutions and
government bodies impose are constantly
changing. This all makes today’s door
hardware world a complex one that
architects must contend with.
Balancing aesthetics, security and
safety needs, standards requirements and
product integration is not an easy job and
one that is seldom achieved, particularly
on large commercial projects.
LOOKS MATTER
A recent interview from our US
headquarters with Marceli Botticelli, an
architect with Payette, demonstrates this
point perfectly. Botticelli shared some
common thoughts across the architect’s
world, saying that “architects like thin
profiles and abstract designs, so door
hardware by nature can be in conflict
with that” and that while they know door
hardware “serves a purpose”, they really
just want it to “disappear from an opening
as much as possible.”
Whilst some door
hardware components
have gotten much
better at concealing
themselves, such as
door closers, other
components are
naturally much harder to hide, and in some
cases must be visible to be able to fulfil
their purpose, such as panic exit devices.
A point of contention for the architect and
one of the first compromises.
As some manufacturers have tried
making panic hardware with a more
minimalist look, the trade-off made
is that they become less durable and
functionality worsens – highlighting the
difficult balancing act manufacturers and
architects face in achieving each other’s’
dreams.
SAFETY, SECURITY
AND STANDARDS
The next compromise
an architect is commonly
faced with is when they
must take into account
the level of security an
opening needs.
How you secure a
main perimeter door varies
greatly from an interior one,
and then the type of interior space
– storage, classroom or highly sensitive
areas such as labs or data centres – also
dictates the hardware used. Meeting
standards also needs to be factored in. Is
the opening fire-rated? Does it meet the
accessibility requirements? All of these
considerations directly influence the type
of hardware that can be used on a door.
As a result, architects have often had
to compromise the flow of their desired
buildings, and you can eventually end
up with hundreds of different doors and
components that don’t match with each
other. The general effect becomes one that
is clunky and clumsy, with integration
not possible due to the mix of hardware
unable to communicate with each other.
This then causes a nightmare for facilities
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managers and the ongoing maintenance
schedules and for any retrofitting that may
be required in future.
A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH
The key to navigating this balancing act
is by having a knowledgeable manufacturer
on your side to understand what your
visions are, what rooms are needed and how
you intend for your building and openings
to look. This way, recommendations and full
scale building solutions can be produced, as
opposed to haphazard suggestions midway
through a project.
It is always ideal if an architect
brings in the spec writer early
in the process, such as when
schematics are being done.
This is when security and
door design decisions are
being made. While products
may not be specified at this
point, manufacturers can still
provide guidance on whether or
not something can be realised, or
what options are available to accomplish
an objective.
There are a series of selections an
architect makes before door hardware
which then directly affects the hardware
that can be used. These selections include
door material, profile, thickness, style
dimensions and frame material.
Such decisions can have a domino effect,
a nd the sooner the manufacturer can
get involved, the more likely it is that an
architect’s exact vision can be achieved.
Good collaboration involves lots of
open dialogue, questioning and even
drawing. Asking the architect to sketch
their visions for an opening is when we,
as manufacturers, can see what is wanted
and thus recommend the products that will
accomplish that goal.