During 2023, the renowned Best Pivot Door competition took place, featuring cutting-edge projects characterized by a mix of originality, innovative design, and engineering precision. One of the most interesting and innovative categories was dedicated to special applications, where doors are not just considered access elements, but real sensory experiences. These doors stand out for their central pivot point, allowing them to transform into rotating walls when needed.
The winner of the first prize
The prestigious first prize for special applications has been awarded to Hayden Kidd and Dan Mckerrow in Australia for the project conceived by Nicholas Elias. The unique circular pivot door, which required a precise 360-degree rotation, posed a unique challenge that the authors successfully tackled.
The features of the award-winning pivot door
Harmoniously integrated with the building materials, this innovation blends seamlessly with the surrounding architecture, creating an almost imperceptible effect with a subtle shadow line. The interior and exterior design of the door has been carefully crafted to ensure the continuity of the wood. Based on a central pivot system and devoid of a handle, this door offers an interactive experience that seamlessly integrates with the building's movement. It adds dynamism to the entrance, creating a welcoming foyer when closed and a connected, airy space when partially open, facilitating the transition between public and private areas.
The hinge used: FritsJurgens Reversed
Regarding the hinges used, the chosen upper hinge is the FritsJurgens Reversed, specifically designed for easy installation in the upper transom of the frame or ceiling, even with particularly thin thicknesses. This hinge stands out for its specific technical features, allowing the integration of large glass panels in the pivot door. The adjustable system from the ceiling or upper transom of the frame, without the need for holes on the door side, adapts to all weight classes and is compatible with all FritsJurgens lower hinges. It offers a variable pivot point, from 130 millimeters from the door side to the center of it, with a 15mm pin.
Ease of Installation
Easily installable even in external doors with an upper transom, this hinge facilitates adjustment even in ceiling installations, making it the ideal choice for centrally positioned pivot doors. Its internal installation in the upper transom or ceiling ensures that the hinge surface remains visible, thanks to a magnetic cover plate available in stainless steel, white, and black, which is placed after installing and adjusting the door leaf.
