The Chihuly – Part III A door really isn’t just a door

How many doors have you walked through today?  Did you notice the door?  What type of material was it? What type of handle was on the door?  As long a door works it is just a door, right?  Well it doesn't have to be. 

A door definitely should be functional so get you through to the other side without hassle.  However a door can be a piece of art.  Did I just hear a scoff? Well let me share with you a door that is, without a doubt, the most beautiful and functional door I have ever seen.

That door is at The Chihuly Museum located in St. Petersburg, FL.  When plans fell into place to visit the Chihuly (see Part's One and Two) all I could think about was THE door.  It had been discussed with fellow local industry professionals so I was anxious to see it. 

This door is 10’ x 10’ of steel which hangs on pivots and I think is quite the manufacturing marvel!  The door handle is wood and installed within a cutout of the steel.  

Wayne David Atherhold, Director of Marketing/Communications

The door hangs on both a top and a bottom pivot that are installed through the piece of metal that is being used as the door frame. I have no idea what this door weighs but I would think it is comparable to some of the lead and vault doors the company I work for, a-fabco, inc., makes.  We use pivots to hang our doors also.

 

Top Pivot

 

The thickness of the steel door

Not only were Alfonso Architects the architects and designers on the project but also served  as the contractor.  They were able to conceive, design and build their vision. There is nothing standard about this door.  On Interior and Sources blog   the steel fabricators are listed as Alfonso Architects and Stack Design.  I would have loved to have seen the this door being fabricated.  

Top of door in a almost closed position 

The bottom of door also in an almost closed position

The very slick looking door floor stop

This is a very simple but streamlined looking door stop that, as you can see, is installed into the floor.  

The combination of steel for the door, marble floor and wood walls along with the fantastic wood door pull really makes this whole opening a feast for the eyes.  Ok maybe just my eyes because I like doors but it really is beautiful! 


The doors in your office or home don't need to be this elaborate but you also don't have to settle for the off the rack door either.   Feel free to post any cool doors you have seen along your way.

The Chihuly Part II

Twitter and Social Media rocks, in my opinion.  I started tweeting in September of 2008 and the first local tweeter I met was Paul Anater.  Paul is the king of connections and it has been a joy to watch his life evolve as he embraced social media.  Paul is a designer and has met many other designer tweeps both locally and throughout the world through some pretty cool trips.  It was one such trip that brought a group of local tweeters together.  Luckily they decided to get together again and that is how this tweet up was born.   My name was suggested (thank you thank you thank you) and I was game.   During the on-line discussion JoAnn Locktov (see Part I) asked if we would be interested in touring The Chihuly.  Everyone jumped at the chance!  

I was excited because my industry had been buzzing with the fact the space was designed by local architect Albert Alfonso and by all accounts it was stunning.  There was also a door I was very interested in seeing but that is Part III.

We were met at the Morean Arts Center by the Director of Marketing and Communications Wayne David Atherholt.  All I could think of is how the heck was I lucky enough to get to do this!  The tour was phenomenal.  Wood, metal, light and glass brought together to create dazzle.  Again pictures are going to say so much more than I could possibly.  A cool effect was that each room had a glimpse into the next, a tease if you will.

After the tour we walked down Beach Drive to Ceviche Tapas Bar and Restaurant where we enjoyed many delicious dishes, laughed and got to know each other a bit better.  I really had a wonderful time and want to say thanks to  Eric Miller, Carmen Christensen, Tom Wiebe, Michelle Wiebe, Jeremy Parcels, and Paul Anater .  Please check out what they had to say about the evening.  A very big thank you to Wayne for taking the time to conduct such a wonderful and informative tour.

 

I highly recommend touring The Chihuly and if you can take a stroll and have some gelato afterwards, all the better!!

The Chihuly First in a Series of Three

Downtown St. Petersburg

Here in the Tampa Bay area we are in what’s known as the dog days of summer; where you are drenched in sweat just going from your house to your car.  For me I am all about the a/c this time of year and I know just the place to recommend.

If you are anywhere near downtown St. Petersburg (and I suggest you should be) stop in and visit The Chihuly Collection housed in the Morean Arts Center.   

I was able to take the tour thanks to a wonderful Tweeter JoAnn Locktov.  How that all came to be will be in Part II.  All I will say is how can you not love social media!

Anyway visiting the Chihuly Collection is a wonderful way to spend a few hours out of the heat and it is a treat for your senses as well.  If you haven’t heard of Dale Chihuly he creates the most amazing pieces of glass.  I had not previously seen his work and it was breathtaking.  Here is a sneak peak.

Now if you have kids you are currently saying there is no way this will work for my family.  Ah but it would because once a month a few blocks from the Arts Center there is a center where you and your family can make glass yourself! 

This just touches the fringe of beauty at the Chihuly Museum.  I will be writing more about how the Museum was created by one of the premier architects located in Tampa, Florida, Mr. Alberto Alfonso.  His use of materials, lighting and space to house the collection is amazing.  Of course there is THE door too.  Oh the door will be a post of its very own because 16 years in the door industry I have never seen anything like it.

Stayed tuned and if you have experienced the Chihuly please share in the comment section.