Blog - Martin Pierce

architectural hardware designs

Neptune's Treasure - Ocean Front Door Handles

The scroll serpentine handle was designed for Baha Mar, a beach front resort in Nassua the Bahamas and was created in response to a request from Michael Hong Architects who were the architects and designers for this project. The long curvaceous pull is part of the Morphic collection but the coral inspired design needed to better capture the oceanic nature of this resort. We chose to fashion the ends of the pull on the moon snail shaped seashell thereby making the piece more like the trident spear used by Neptune God of the Ocean in classical mythology.


The oceanic theme was further reinforced by a blue powder coat which we added to inside of the handle. At a height of 40” the new piece was appropriately scaled to suit the grand entry doors to the SLS resort Hotel.

The handle is cast in 3 sections and the 2 scroll ends are welded to the coral stem to form a seamless piece. Cast in stainless steel, the handle is both durable and rust resistant and as with all exterior hollow vertical grips there is a “weep” hole at the lower end for rainwater to drain through.

We are currently completing an order for this piece and have been inspired to design a new set of handles using the snail shaped ends. The scroll ends will be free standing handles and at a height of 6” will be well suited for more modestly scaled residential entry doors. Stay tuned to see or perhaps sea how this piece evolves.


What was your most memorable vacation--as we revist past vacation posts

Summer is nearing the end and our vacation destinations this year have been relatively close to home so I thought it might be interesting to relive some of our past vacations, both to far away places and nearby: England

In September of 2012 we journeyed back home to England to visit friends and family.  We shared many of our adventures such as scuttling races, quaint villages and the beauty of both old and new London.  This is also where the inspiration for our popular Hedgerow collection of custom hardware began many years ago.

St Mary's Ross-on-Wye from Martin Pierce Hardware Los Angeles CA  90016

Gherkin Building in London.  Photo taken by Martin Pierce Hardware Los Angeles Ca  90016

Spain

Fall of 2014 found us in Barcelona Spain enjoying the trip of a lifetime.  We spent days visiting and admiring the work of Antoni Gaudi .  His awe-inspiring designs are certainly inspirational and we spent many  enjoyable hours soaking up every little detail.

Casa Battlo, Barcelona Spain photo by Martin Pierce Hardware Los Angeles CA  90016

Casa Battlo photo by Martin Pierce Hardware Los Angeles Ca  90016

 Local

We have enjoyed many "local" trips to areas that include Griffith Park, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, Idyllwild, Pt Reyes and a road trip that introduced us to the grandeur of the Grand Tetons.  The beauty of these areas never ceases to amaze us as we enjoy the wildlife, scenery and all that Mother Nature has to offer.  Many times our beloved Iris is able to join us and no one enjoys a hike quite like Iris does.

photo by Martin Pierce Hardware Los Angeles Ca  90016

We are looking forward to more travel as we depart for Istanbul in late September.  We will be viewing plenty of examples of Moorish architecture and other sites and will be certain to share photos;  so, happily, vacation time has not ended quite yet for us.

What was your most memorable vacation?

You can view our entire collection of architectural hardware at www.martinpierce.com.

Designers can visit the showroom located at:

5433 W. Washington Blvd.

Los Angeles, a  90016

323 939 5929