SLIDING DOORS AT THE MOSS STUDIO
On a beautiful day at the moss studio we do more than open our windows—we open the door. The overhead door to be exact (see it in action below). When we moved studios from one big open loft to another big open commercial space, we made sure to take our overhead door with us. Like a garage door that can be opened from above or below, our overhead door gives our space even more versatility—we can essentially tuck away a portion of our wall, letting in sunlight and fresh air. We can extend our office outwards into the street for a party, event or gathering, we can watch the rain from a deck chair, we can enjoy a slight breeze without curtains or blinds getting in the way. It’s the best of both worlds when the weather is nice! Without further ado, our favorite features of our overhead door.
Our overhead door is one of our favorite features about the former and current moss studios!
OVERHEAD DOORS: MAKING THE MOST OF A SMALL SPACE
In a smaller apartment or home, having an overhead door can make all the difference. Being able to join indoor and outdoor spaces easily makes both appear larger while enjoying the luxury of a retractable wall—basically the convertible of the housing market. Sunlight is a natural space expander, and smaller apartments and homes are often lacking in the gigantic bay windows of one’s dreams. A versatile overhead door affords increased connectivity with nature, easy surveillance over young ones, or just the chance to catch the scent of jasmine flowers during the washing of a dish or typing of an email. More affordable than a folding glass wall or door suite (although glamorous), an overhead door is also tougher against the elements. The only potential negative is of course bugs and critters. Some critters like ants are a summer inevitability, but others, like mosquitos are just plain pesky. It’s a trade-off, but one that can be well worth it depending on your needs.
In our Lawrence House project, modern glass overhead doors provide plenty of space to scoot onto the roof lounge with ease.
OVERHEAD DOORS: PLAYFUL, MODERN, MODULAR
If there was one word to describe recent architectural trends it’s gotta be multipurpose. From factors like overcrowding leading to downsizing, to tiny homes and conservation, minimalism to modular, the architecture of today wants to exist for all seasons, serve all purposes and do it in a right-size footprint, especially as urban populations boom. During our big moss move, we took our beloved movable walls with us, which continue to allow us to create a private meeting space at a moment’s notice, bifurcate kitchenette from computer center, or open up our space for an event or soiree. These walls fit, if not easily, (they are heavy!) then seamlessly into our new office via our overhead door. Between movable walls, an overhead door and a loft-like office, our space is our canvas for however we want to utilize it.
There are many more options for overhead doors than there used to be. Far from looking like a garage-door knock-off, overhead doors can be sleek with metal and glass, charming with cherry red coating and pint-sized windows, rustic, alluding to french country or farmhouse aesthetics, and dozens of other finishes and materials.
CASE STUDY: BEGYLE BREWING CO.
Moving in barrels of community-beloved beer? That calls for an overhead door.
As a local brewery with a unique business model, Begyle wanted an industrial modern showroom that maximized square footage. The overhead door we installed, complete with glass panels and sleek black framing, made sense in the context of their space, as it easily allowed deliveries to and from, while also providing the versatility for open houses and food trucks to park outside!
The two overhead doors make the space sunlit and versatile
Later on, we expanded the showroom to include a taproom, using an overhead glass door again to connect the two spaces without sacrificing natural light. Other small businesses, especially retail or eatery establishments, could benefit from an overhead door, whether it’s to give consumers a peek at their wares, accommodate a larger patio-experience (no one wants to be stuck in a dark, air-conditioned space in 70 degree weather!), or simply show off their meticulously designed interior.
The newly expanded Begyle Brewing Taproom
OVERHEAD DOORS: INCREASING ACCESSIBILITY IN ARCHITECTURE
Accessibility is key to a thriving city, but it’s also important to think about it in our homes. Whether you have mobility restrictions, are a wheelchair user, or know of someone who is or might be in the future, an overhead door can be a helpful addition. The ultra wide entry provides enough space for full rotations, walkers, canes and other devices, while the door itself touches down flush with the sidewalk/walkway, doing away with entrance steps that might provide an obstacle when entering a home or office.
OVERHEAD DOORS: PERFECT FOR THE HOME / STUDIO HYBRID
A gallup poll reported that about 43% of Americans are working from home on a consistent basis. This doesn’t just cover computer-based work. Most people with a passion for working with their hands don’t start out in a studio, but working out of their living room, kitchen, bedroom or garage. What’s more, some people don’t ever move out to a separate studio. Depending on their workflow, home set up and family life, artisans and artists may choose to keep home and work life under one roof. And with an increase in svelte tools of the trade, whether on the side of business or art, it’s not surprising. However moving and shipping artisanal works, whether hand crafted benches, room sized canvases or an 18th century pump organ through a human-sized door? A little dicey. Enter the overhead door, perfect for home recording studios, furniture making, painting and even a troupe of theater actors on a wheelie’d float.
To wrap it up, we love overhead doors as just another tool to add versatility and natural light to a variety of unique and traditional spaces. Watch our project pages for the next overhead door near you!
