Design vs Functionality of the door to your Office or Home

Brains or Looks.  It always seems to come between these two things whenever you have to buy a product or find a girl/boyfriend.

This is the root contrast that we have to approach whenever designing a door.  In a metaphorical way of speaking.

The door has to fit the building.

Take Levers for instance.  Levers are VERY functional.

Ever get caught carrying a huge armload of boxes full of yardsale items or hardware?  Carrying tons of documents from work?  Try turning the knob when you've got your hands full.  The lever can be opened with anything.  Your knee, your elbow, your foot if you can reach it.

Any part of your anatomy can be used to push a Lever down.  You could use whatever is keeping your hands so busy to pull the lever down.  However, there is that one little catch.

The design of the Lever for it's practicality will always look as if it is a sign of heavy work.  The Lever on a door symbolizes that this door has a function of commercial use.  And that's not pretty.

That's the reason why we have knobs.  Dainty little things that aren't meant to be overly used.  They bring the subconscious aesthetic design of comfort.  We've evolved beyond primate work machines of moving boxes and we can be civilized.

So civilized that you can turn knobs.

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As you can see.  I have a slight propensity towards one of these two.  But that does not mean that I don't see the value in both.  After all...

What are the two functions of a door?

- To allow access to those you mean it to
- A symbol of your character or company's character

If the function of a door itself is to put your client or guests at ease.  Then it's no longer just a good looking door.  It's a part of it's function.

It's function is a supplement of welcoming and branding the mind of your client or guest.  When your new neighbors walk through your door.  They're branded with the subconscious look of that door.  When your clients walk through your door, they too are branded with their idea of the company.

And if your door looks silly, what's that going to say about you?

More on this subject next week.  Concealed vs Unconcealed Door Hardware

~john Chau