A frustrating game of give and take. That is what the common architect’ s mind-set 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

To the architect, it is no surprise that the primary consideration is aesthetics. For door hardware, it is best if it were invisible.

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 become 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 tradeoff made is that they become less durable and functionality worsens.

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. It is at this point where it can potentially get even

stickier between manufacturer and architect, as while aesthetics are important, the ultimate priority of security and safety door hardware is to prioritise the health of building occupants and to satisfy the security aspects that the opening in question needs.

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.