Powermatic concealed door closers used on new Thames apartment buildings

Powermatic controlled, concealed door closers from Samuel Heath have been used on one of the newest apartment buildings on the banks of the River Thames.

The apartment building, Riverwalk House, has been designed by architects Stanton Williams for Ronson Capital Partners and is situated at Millbank, overlooking the Thames.

The curves of the river as it winds past the site inspired the architecture. The building’s interlocking form creates an open aspect for the 116 residential apartments and penthouses, maximising natural light and internal space.

The building’s limestone, bronze and glass exterior is continued inside; created by United Designers, the interior features a light, airy decor scheme, tastefully detailed with contrasting dark stained oak apartment doors and surrounding panels.

The rich dark wood theme has been extended to apartment interiors, with concealed fittings allowing doors and panelling to be shown to their best.

Stanton Williams specified Powermatic concealed door closers for entrance doors to the individual residences, conscious of the need to retain this high-spec appearance to doors and interiors. Doors were supplied and fitted by Ruddy Joinery, and mortices routed on site to accept the door closers, which were supplied by leading architectural ironmonger, Franchi plc.

Powermatic door closers are very discreet as they are totally concealed when the door is closed and barely noticeable when the door is opened, although the polished chrome face plates selected for Riverwalk do ensure that, if seen, the door closers will complement the doors’ polished metal detail strips and other door furniture.

The concealment ensures that the appearance of the dark wood doors and interior finishes is not ruined by mechanical arms and control boxes that would be an unavoidable consequence of using surface mounted door closers.

Jason White of Stanton Williams comments: “The Powermatic concealed door closer meets the necessary fire and accessibility requirements and, is hidden from view when the door is closed, helping to retain a clean appearance to doors and interiors.”