AZURE_2014_07_08.pdf

focus
OPEN
HOUSE
Entry systems today are smarter
than ever. When high tech comes
knocking, will you answer the door?
BY erin donnelly
Forward thinking is a critical design tool today. By the
time a product rolls off the assembly line, technology has
already advanced, creating a potentially endless struggle
to keep up with the Jetsons. However, it seems product
designer Yves Béhar, of Fuseproject in San Francisco,
stays one step ahead by keeping an eye on the future. This
spring brought the release of his latest venture, the August
Smart Lock, a streamlined design that aims to be “safe,
simple and social.” It’s the brainchild of California innovator
August, co-founded by Béhar with Jason Johnson, a veteran
of start-ups and tech companies such as Dolby, and Global
IP Solutions (since acquired by Google).
The lock is one of several devices vying to gain a foothold
in the smart-home market, similar to what Nest has done
with its app-controlled thermo stats. Among the competitors
is Kwikset’s Kevo Bluetooth lock, sold for $240, which
opens with just a tap. Lockitron, based in Mountain View,
California, has a smart option priced at $195. It is now in
production, thanks to a crowd-funding initiative that raised
over US$2.3 million. Other concepts include the Off door
handle, which allows you to switch off electricity and gas
connections as you exit; and Grabit, which uses an ergonomically
placed thumbprint reader.
Some of these high-tech systems employ the same
security encryption as online banking, and like car entry
systems many products offer a Bluetooth-enabled autounlock
feature. They also track comings and goings, a
debatable “benefit.” Going back to August’s three tenets
of safe, simple and social, one marvels at how a lock can
be “social.” August and Lockitron’s models let you send
invitations to friends so they can access your house, and
for others to download the app to open the lock. Whether
we need our door locks to do all of these things remains to
be seen. August Smart Lock, $215, august. com
Street Smart Architects get a handle on hardware
This cylindrical handle, part of Tom Kundig’s
collection for 12th Avenue Iron, is available in a
range of sizes and finishes including glossy
red or white, and wax-finished blackened steel.
From $155, 12thavenueiron. com
Among Olivari’s latest collection is the uniquely
proportioned Conca, from Patricia Urquiola,
which lends a surprising visual weight. In chrome,
matte chrome and Superinox satin. From $160,
olivari. com
Italian-Brazilian architect Lina Bo Bardi crafted
this handle for her own home. Now in production by
Izé, this model is faithful to the original details,
and it comes in all of the company’s finish options.
$435, ize. info
36 jul ⁄ aug 2014 azuremagazine.com