Japanese-Styled Entryway in Point Loma, CA
This client’s home in Point Loma has traditional Japanese styling and I can see why the client wanted a Japanese style door. The landscape has an Asian influence and the views of Coronado and the bay are spectacular.
The entryway is made out of a beautiful wood called Merbau that is very hard but carves beautifully with very fine grain and also does extremely well outside. The jamb, door and side lights are all made out of solid Merbau. The door is a little over 2 1/2 inches thick and the side lights as well.
One of the things that’s really cool about this entryway is the side lites I designed and made for them. The homeowners wanted ventilation through the area but didn’t want traditional windows with screens. They wanted the design to be continuous and also wanted security when opened.
I designed a fixed filigree-carved bamboo panel with hand-forged copper stems and leaves on the outside, continuous of the carving in the door. On the inside is a window that opens with carved wood bamboo, forged copper leaves, and carved fused glass set between the wood pieces. The glass panel allows light to come through and it can be locked when closed. And then a bronze screen is between the two carved panels that doesn’t interfere with the design and allows the ventilation the clients wanted. Who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too.
The the entry is absolutely stunning inside and out, is functional and will last a very long time. The door handle is part of the design with the full mortise lock barely detectable so you have the stunning design with the hardware integrated into that design.
I have utilized this screen and window design in my own home in several places. Living in Southern California we keep our windows and doors open most of the year. It’s a very unique way of incorporating screens into windows and doors, and by using bronze screens, as I do, they are very durable and long-lasting.
Sidelites. You can see the outside bamboo carving as shadows behind the art glass.