i n n ovat i o n
Continued discussion and input was
received from installers, service teams,
end users and building supervisors. The
collation of this information gave Doric a
strong understanding of what challenges
all stakeholders faced and what product
features really mattered to them.
The team of Industrial Designers, Mechanical
and Electrical Engineers in Doric’s RnD
department explored a broad range of
concepts and rapidly tested them through
state of the art 3D prints and prototypes.
Through research, the design thinking
process created informed insights that
allowed effective ideas to come to light.
An example of this was through witnessing
the current methods of installation and
adjustment.
“We observed service teams hanging out
of windows on high rise buildings trying
to reach adjustment screws. We just knew
there had to be a better way,” says Aritesh.
All installation procedures of Doric’s product
were improved and simplified allowing the
product to be significantly faster and safer to
install. Adjustment blocks allow the service
teams to adjust the product from within the
building and all individual components were
designed to fuse together, removing the
need for accurate cutting lengths.
While awning windows can withstand
extremely high wind loads when closed,
they are vulnerable to high wind loads
in the open position. This issue was the
greatest challenge the Doric team faced with
the project. When occupants leave their
windows open for venting while away from
the building, two safety issues can occur.
Firstly, these open windows can flutter in
high-wind situations causing them to dislodge
and fall from the building. The second issue
occurs when windows are left open and the
internal walls become exposed to extremely
high positive and negative wind loads.
These internal partitions are generally rated
to lower wind pressures and when exposed
to these external pressures, can become
structurally damaged or collapse.
To overcome these issues in some instances,
building supervisors are being asked to
enter all apartments or offices and check
the windows are shut on days where there is
high wind.
This relies on the building manager being
aware of the weather conditions and
also putting the occupants through the
discomfort of having someone enter their
apartments at all hours of the day and night.
“At first we thought this might need to be
solved with a completely separate solution.
However, the challenge was to integrate a
solution into our multipoint system,” says
Aritesh.
This proved to be a huge task for the design
team and one that delayed the launch of the
product significantly. However, the solution
that was developed justified the effort.
The DN8000 self-latching multi-point locking
system uses specially designed awning stays
which release the window under high wind
loads. Once the window is released, it falls
under its own weight and is caught by the
self-latching devices which holds the window
shut. The handle is then operated to release
the window.
While greater challenges were uncovered
through the design thinking framework and
deep level of research, having the desire
to discover and take these issues on board
resulted in a unique product.
After five years of product development and
subsequent launch, the DN8000 recently
won the ‘Most Innovative Component’ award
at the AusFenEx 2016 conference, taking
home the title for Doric and parent company
Alchin Long Group.
“We’re so proud of this product and it’s great
to see the whole team recognised for the
countless hours of hard work that went into
turning this idea into reality,” says Alchin
Long Group CEO, Nigel Long.
“Innovation is what drives our industry. Our
capacity to think outside the box to solve
complex issues is what dictates our success
as a business and it helps influence the
direction of our industry. It’s very exciting
to be a part of this process and I’m excited
to see how we will change the market next,”
adds Nigel.
In addition to receiving the industry title of
most innovative component, this product has
already been noticed and specified in new
developments. These achievements validate
this new methodology for Doric and has
paved the way into new markets.
While Doric may not be creating disruptive
products at the same level as Uber just yet,
taking the first step of disrupting the design
process has proven to deliver positive
results which will see further development in
this area.
For more information, visit doric.com.au
Windows Magazine Summer 2016 21