The Rise of Customization and the Role of Balanced Doors

As design and performance trends constantly evolve, the architectural industry is shining the spotlight on sustainability, functionality, and of course, customization. Leading the charge is personal customization and tailored functionality to create spaces that are unique yet practical for owners and occupants.

In fact, according to Archiscene, “the modern era has ushered in a renaissance of personal expression intertwined with functional design, propelling customization to the forefront of architectural and interior design paradigms.”

From primary, core design elements to those considered more secondary, architects and designers are pushing past one-size-fits-all solutions and designing the most customized buildings the industry has seen to date.

Ultimately, customization unlocks a realm of new possibilities, and doors and entryways are no exception. Being the first touchpoint to a building, commercial doors must be able to deliver the visual appeal to attract visitors while also withstanding the wear and tear that comes with the territory of a commercial entrance. For their design, customization is becoming more of a requirement.

More Aesthetic Choices

Bringing a design to life is all about balancing the aesthetic preferences of the owners and the practical requirements of the structure. When designing commercial entryways, choosing a manufacturer that can meet the most unique specifications is crucial, particularly for buildings that go beyond a typically boxy shape.

Entrances that are custom crafted with different materials, colors, and sizes help to set the look and feel for the rest of the building.

What if every door could be custom designed to your liking?

With custom balanced doors from Ellison, they can.

Ellison takes door design to the next level by custom making them to an architect’s specification. Ellison doors can be manufactured from a variety of materials and finishes and to various sizes and dimensions. Whether bronze, stainless steel, aluminum, glass, or wood, Ellison doors are created to deliver versatile designs for any building. They can come equipped with custom ornamental elements such as grilles, designed in conjunction with coordinating overhead transoms, or integrate seamlessly with matching sidelites.

This even applies to those on the historic McKean County Court House, where the doors had to be designed to match the architecture of the era. Since 1937, the owners had relied on Ellison doors to maintain the architectural integrity of the building. However, after suffering a devastating fire in 1940, the Ellison doors were salvaged from the effects of the flames and used on the new building, continuing to greet guests for another 80 years.

During capital improvements to the courthouse in 2020, McKean County and Ellison reconnected to reinspect the original bronze doors and refurbish them for another lifetime of use. Again, this time around, the doors needed to match the architecture of the structure, because capturing an architectural image of the past was important for McKean County and its historic courthouse.

“The Ellison entrance is the crown jewel of the building,” said Ed Tronetti, maintenance director at McKean County. “I can’t even imagine these openings with different doors in them. They just match the architecture so well.”

Ellison doors serve as a statement piece for the courthouse, dating back to the early days of balanced door design and 1940s architecture. The Bright Bronze finish for the doors set a tone that stands out while effortlessly connecting the entryways with the building’s historic design.

Durability That Delivers

While designers and architects are occupied with the look and feel of a design, it also needs to be backed with quality materials that will deliver durability and longevity. Custom doors need to be robust enough to withstand the heavy traffic and abusive wear and tear. Unlike traditional hinge doors that suffer from constant gravitational pressure, Ellison doors feature a unique design that ensures greater durability to deliver on this front.

Ellison doors open at two-thirds width, eliminating lateral stress. These doors are pre-assembled and hung at the factory, allowing for thorough testing and adjustments by craftsmen before installation. Ellison custom balanced doors far outlast typical commercial entry doors, and in many cases, can endure for the life of a building

The Key to Customization

Whether they adorn a skyscraper in one of the world’s biggest cities, a luxury multi-family residence, a corporate office, or a historical building, Ellison doors have a well-earned reputation for reliable performance and for the ability to be customized so they can fit any design scheme.

In the construction arena, customization allows for the creation of spaces that are functional and reflective of individual tastes and needs. While new technologies such as 3D printing continue to gain momentum in architecture, tried and true materials such as balanced doors remain some of the most critical components.

With Ellison Bronze, these doors can be customized just as precisely as other architectural materials to accommodate even the most daring and imaginative designs

The future of architecture lies in a personalized approach, and with elements like Ellison custom balanced doors, customization is embraced to every last detail.