March 20, 2007 -- KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - What do you get when you take a dash of inspiration and a pinch of history and stir it up with some of the most creative young minds in the architecture industry? For the top winners of this year's JELD-WEN Student Door Design Contest, the results are dream doors turned into reality.
Anna McCorvey's radius-top door design, inspired by Victor Horta and Art Nouveau style
JELD-WEN, the world's leading manufacturer of reliable windows and doors, unveiled the prototypes of this year's winning door designs at the International Builders' Show (IBS). The designs, created by students Nathan Williams of Virginia Tech and Anna McCorvey of Howard University, earned each winner a $5,000 scholarship and a trip to IBS in Orlando, Fla., where they saw for the first time full-scale versions of their door designs. While very different in style, each door is a study in high design.
"Every year, students amaze us with their creativity," said Shane Meisel, product marketing manager for JELD-WEN. "This year's winning designs perfectly blend today's hottest contemporary looks - modular doors and radius tops - with historic inspiration."
A door that commands undivided attention
The winning door design created by Williams is based on the traditional Dutch door, a style that has a 400-year-old history. Dutch doors were used long ago as a way for homeowners to keep livestock out while allowing in fresh air. However, unlike the traditional Dutch door that is simply split in half, Williams' design includes six individual hinged wood and glass panels that can be opened separately - giving it a very contemporary, modern flair. Also heavily influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright's legendary residential designs, this door artfully blends creativity, beauty, simplicity and functionality.
Nathan Williams' modular door design, inspired by Dutch doors Contest judges felt that the design was not only modern, but also inspired fun and creative new uses. For example, to help control ventilation, homeowners could simply open one or two panels while keeping the others in a locked, stationary position. The bottom section may be opened separately to let in the family pet. Or, opening the middle panel allows just the right access for delivery of a package or a pizza. This door also provides an interesting twist on a classic design that is already enjoying a major resurgence in popularity.
"We're seeing quite a bit of interest in contemporary style as well as more classic styles, such as Dutch doors," Meisel said. "This design combines the best of both worlds and provides a completely fresh take on a door design that is beloved by homeowners."
The prototype unveiled by JELD-WEN at this year's IBS trade show demonstrated how different wood stains and hardware may be used to give the door a distinctive look. Different glass styles and wood species are also possible.
Romance of Art Nouveau redux
A very different interpretation of history was the inspiration behind the second grand-prize winning door design. Big and bold, McCovey's door design harkens back to the European Art Nouveau movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries and is inspired by Victor Horta, an exemplary architect of the time.
Nathan Williams' modular door design, inspired by Dutch doors
In contrast to the strong horizontal lines of Williams' design, this radius-top door is crowned by an asymmetrical transom, the glass window above the door, in a fanciful paisley shape. Overall, the door creates a composition of curving forms that flow from the top down the side. The door showcases traditional elements - glass and wood - to create a dramatic entry without being too dark or heavy.
The popularity of Old World and Tuscan home design in recent years has led to a resurgence in demand for radius-top doors that evoke European style. McCovey's design capitalizes on this trend with a door that measures up to 10-feet tall and blends a combination of wood species. Today's homeowners also crave more natural light in the entry, and this is accomplished with the glass transom and door. Additional textures that personalize the design can be added by drawing on JELD-WEN's catalogue of standard and custom glass.
"This door design is perfect for homeowners who want to make a big impression on guests at the front entry," Meisel said. "The asymmetrical design and options for contrasting woods and textured glass mean that this design can be personalized."
About JELD-WEN JELD-WEN, inc. is the world's leading manufacturer of reliable windows and doors. Based in Klamath Falls, Ore., JELD-WEN began as a small Oregon millwork plant in 1960 and has grown into a company with more than 150 divisions and more than 20,000 employees worldwide.
JELD-WEN is the official window, door and millwork provider of the PGA TOUR and Champions Tour, Proud Partner of THE PLAYERS and title sponsor of the JELD-WEN Tradition. JELD-WEN was the only window or door manufacturer to be named 2003 ENERGY STAR® "Partner of the Year" by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. Eleven JELD-WEN® product lines and all windows and doors constructed with AuraLast® wood have earned the Good Housekeeping Seal. JELD-WEN® windows and doors have been honored by numerous consumer and industry publications. In 2005, JELD-WEN® IWP® Aurora™ Custom Fiberglass exterior doors received a Consumers Digest Best Buy rating.
For more information about the exceptional value and reliability of JELD-WEN products, or to find a dealer near you, please visit www.jeld-wen.com or call 800-877-9482.
MEDIA CONTACT
Darcie Meihoff, APR, CMD on behalf of JELD-WEN, 503-274-7006 or JELD-WEN@cmdagency.com