Photo Friday: Unconventional conventional doors
Doors are often used as examples of good and bad design. As in, “Handles are for pulling etc.”
Last week I came across these doors and was a little confused. Upon looking at the photo, it is clear how each door operates. My confusion may have been a ‘user issue’ but it did defy my expectation that double doors open in the same direction. Is it me or the doors?
Myvan I take your point, in a restaurant this design would make perfect sense. As ever context is so important. I’m not sure how many offices are as frantic as a restaurant kitchen, though. I guess the design does offer user’s options however I’d be concerned that it would confuse people – should I push or pull?
On second thought, I guess it is quite considerate of the designer to give both the ‘pull’ and ‘push’ options.
Hello Chris,
These doors are indeed well labelled and their design does seem strange. They remind me of restaurant kitchen doors, where the one on the left is for ‘pushing out’ and the one on the right is for ‘pushing ‘in’. That is, no one should have to ‘pull’, as they may not have their hands free to pull and no one should crash into anyone else if they use the wrong door, as the doors would only open one way.
Perhaps these were restaurant kitchen doors that have been converted and the ‘pull’ handle added later?
In such a fast paced environment, you want those who are leaving/entering to be using a consistent door