Doors: Beyond the Obvious

For the most part, doors provide access…..or exclusion. But they can also surprise, delight, deceive, inspire, and impress. From the multitude of doors IA has designed, here is a notable sampling.  

Doors that appear to be what they aren’t—a vault door that leads to a speakeasy—are particularly engaging,

ScotiaBank Vault

Scotia Digital Factory, Toronto. Photography © doublespace.

 Doors can support culture. Angled pine slats feature inlaid wood subtly painted in brand colors.

DPR Construction, Austin. Photography © Peter Molick  

Hidden doors seem invisible, but push in the right place and they give way.

Eastside Tech Hub

H-E-B/ Favor Delivery, Austin. Photography © Peter Molick.

Hidden door

Confidential Client, San Francisco. Photography © Jason O’Rear.

Doors can pose a challenge. Which phone gives access to the speakeasy?

LinkedIn, New York. Photography © Eric Laignel.

 At the door, changing colors anticipate the experience within.

Virgin Voyages main entrance

Virgin Voyages, Plantation, FL. Photography © Robin Hill.

Retractable doors can reshape space.

Photography © Jasper Sanidad.

Confidential Client, Cupertino, CA. Photography © Jasper Sanidad.

A classic garage door at the interior adds interest and defines space.

LinkedIn garage doors

LinkedIn, Toronto. Photography © Eric Laignel.

LinkedIn, Toronto. Photography © Eric Laignel.

At the exterior, they shift the action outside—maybe for alfresco dining if weather permits...

..

Bumble Bee, San Diego. Photography © Benny Chan.

...or to other relaxing diversions.

Sapient Santa Monica Garage Doors

Sapient, Santa Monica, CA. Photography © Eric Laignel.

Barn doors have moved beyond the farm.

Red Hat barn doors

Red Hat, Boston. Photography © Robert Benson.

Doors reclaimed from demolition, now a design feature, can honor a site’s past.

Confidential Client, Seattle, WA. Photography © Sherman Takata.

Confidential Client, Seattle. Photography © Sherman Takata.

Some doors just look great and pique curiosity.

Exterior door at Austin's Eastside Tech Hub

H-E-B/Favor Delivery, Austin. Photography © Peter Molick.


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