Residential entryways in American homes have traditionally been
given short shrift, when compared to the grand entryways that are common
in similar sized homes in parts of Europe and Central and South America.
Cities like Barcelona and Rio de Janiero are famous for the monumental
wrought iron entryways that grace the houses along their tree-lined
boulevards.
When we originally designed and built the entryway to the Project
House, we were thinking "big front door", and built a nine-foot portal
for a door, with columns on either side.
Then we met Alberto Perez of Solara Doors and Lanterns. Alberto
showed us a design for a nineteen foot tall wrought iron and glass
entryway, with foyer, gas lights, a porch and columns that was so stunning
we decided to tear out what we had built and start from scratch.
The Solara Doors and Lanterns
Artisans can do things today with wrought iron that weren't possible
fifty or a hundred years ago, when wrought iron work was in its heyday.
Modern technologies have expanded the design possibilities and most
important, have brought down the prices of wrought iron work to levels
that are affordable a vast number of people who formerly would have
been priced out of the market.
Wrought iron doors are a great alternative to wood for several
reasons:
- They have a distinctive and dynamic look.
- They won't warp or wear out.
- There are no height or width limitations when working with
wrought iron.
- They provide excellent security.
- They can be equipped with hinged glass panels for easy cleaning
and ventilation.
Gas lanterns are making a comeback as primary features of a
distinctive front entryway. As with wrought iron doors, a design element
that was extremely popular a hundred years ago is making a comeback
in homes today.
New technologies have greatly increased the safety and energy
efficiency of gas lanterns. The Solara lanterns on either side of the
front entryway of the Project House have photo-sensors that turn the
gas lights off when the sun comes out, greatly decreasing the cost of
operation. The lanterns are also equipped with an automatic re-ignition
feature that ensures that there will be no buildup of gas in the
unlikely event that the flame is extinguished, thus eliminating the
primary safety concern traditionally associated with gas lanterns.
Contact Information:
Solara Doors and Lanterns
(214) 744-9900 |
