It’s the little things that make good products into very good products: a membrane, a hidden hinge, the look. The latter in particular is one of the main criteria for architects when choosing the right solution. After all, architects and specialist planners expect the technology to work and the material to meet individual requirements. And so most companies continue to attach great importance to design aspects – without neglecting function and additional benefits.
Josko Industrial Style glass door. Photo: Josko
Glass doors with maximum minimalism
With its unmistakable design claim, Josko has created new, extraordinary interior doors: the glass doors of the MET-Loft series. They are characterized by their uncompromisingly reduced design and are pure perfection for people with a high aesthetic sense. The puristically elegant glass doors are meticulously crafted and feature discreet, clear lines. With extremely slim frames of only 15 millimetres face width made of easy-care aluminum and concealed fittings without a visible lock case, they underline the claim of modern architecture: minimalism for advanced users.
Another example of Josko’s minimalist design language is “ONE”, the uncompromisingly symmetrical and slim window with a purist look. What both products – ONE and MET Loft – have in common is that they received the “Red Dot Award” even before their market launch.
For a more industrial look, the glass doors in the MET Loft series can also be designed with discreet transom doors. Depending on the style of living and taste, there are models with different glazing bar spacings and glass with textures and tints. Thanks to the innovative locking magnet and the shell handle specially developed by Josko, which is discreetly concealed in the aluminum frame, no lock case is visible on the glass doors. The discerning eye will also look in vain for hinges here, as they are concealed in the MET frames. Beauty is what you don’t see.
Product: MET-Loft glass doors
Manufacturer: Josko Fenster und Türen GmbH, A-Kopfing
Features: Sliding and hinged doors, powder-coated aluminum frame with 15 mm face width, invisible frame, concealed hinges, with and without glazing bars, glass also with textures and tints, in three aluminum shades: light bronze, medium bronze, and black
Award: Red Dot Award
Aiming high thanks to airtightness
Strong wind loads, building movements, driving rain and high noise levels are major challenges for the tightness and comfort of sliding systems in high-rise buildings. The solution lies in the seal. And that is why Schüco has brought a competent partner on board for the development of the “AS AL 75” single-track sliding system: Air-Lux. Their patented pneumatic sealing technology with membrane function meets these high requirements – and works with air.
When the sliding system is closed, air is pumped into the seal by pressing a button. The gap between the sliding sash and the frame closes so that the sliding system is 100 percent sealed. The air can escape from the seal by pressing the button again: The sliding element can now be opened and closed smoothly again.
The filigree aluminum profiles of the Panorama Design windows can be installed flush with the floor and ceiling as well as laterally in the reveals, so that a level threshold ensures barrier-free access. The interior thus opens seamlessly to the outside. Large elements can be installed up to a height of six meters and a width of up to eight meters and can optionally be operated with a concealed drive. The integration of the Schüco AS AL 75 sliding system into all standard building management systems offers a high level of convenience. Control with a mobile end device is also possible.
Product: “AS AL 75” sliding system
Manufacturer: Schüco International KG
Properties: 75 mm basic depth, for high-rise buildings, wind loads up to class C4/B4, watertightness up to class E1500, burglar resistance up to RC 3, sound insulation up to 44 decibels
Blunt is trump
Discreet design, straight lines and purist solutions continue to define the current architectural design trend. This is why the demand for building elements in which technically functional elements are formally integrated is also increasing.
Flush doors with clear lines, aesthetic shadow gaps and harmonious edges meet this demand within modern architecture and combine functionality and design at the highest level. One example of a particularly clan look combined with a very high functional standard is the flush-fitting “T30-1/2-FSA-Teckentrup 72 ST” fire protection door. The door element is available with one or two leaves and the door leaf is 72 mm thick. The door and gate specialist Teckentrup has also developed the “Designprofil-FB” for the uncomplicated realization of flush-fitting requirements. This frame solution enables cost-optimized and simple installation of doors with a flush look. The profile – available for Teckentrup doors in the “62 series” – is easily combined with standard frames. With a block frame, the door is flush with the wall, while with a corner or U-frame, the door leaf itself is flush with the frame and at the same level as the skirting board.
Both series offer numerous additional functions – such as smoke, sound and burglary protection, thermal insulation – as well as different surfaces and glazing.
Manufacturer: Teckentrup GmbH & Co KG, Verl-Sürenheide
Product Teckentrup 72 ST: Door leaf 72 mm, door leaf/frame rebate-free and flush with the wall, single and double-leaf, sound-insulating up to 42 dB, burglar-resistant up to RC 2 (to DIN EN 1627)
Product design profile-FB: Door leaf 62 mm, depending on frame type flush in the wall or in the frame, 1- and 2-leaf, sound-insulating up to 43 dB, burglar-resistant up to RC 4 (according to DIN EN 1627)
Architect’s Best Products: we present selected products and solutions in this portfolio.

