Solutions in the Built Environment

Shaken not stirred sir?

Radio Frequency Identification technology not only allows hotel guests to gain access to their room easily…

…it can allow frequent guests to use it for quick check-ins and check-outs with a special automated kiosk.

RFID can also store details and preferences – so that guests can be greeted by name on arrival and served their favorite cocktail as a welcome drink. RFID allows every hotel staff member to deliver the same hospitality even for infrequent visitors.

The service is always optional for those concerned about intrusion, and RFID bearers can choose to restrict access to information with a simple RF shield that wraps around the tag, blocking information until the bearer gives the go-ahead.

Loo doors light up!

Brighthandle doors are lighting up a ladies-only lounge at the new, trendy club PUSH, in Gothenburg, Sweden. The man behind Brighthandle, renowned designer Alexander Lervik, was also responsible for the club’s interior.

“My first idea was to use a glass door but that doesn’t work in a club because of security reasons and durability requirements,” Lervik says. “The solution was to use an ordinary door and LED technology. The door is covered with plastic that has a special pattern to spread the light in the right way.”

“The innovation is not in the products or technologies used in this project” comments Assa Abloy door solutions managing director, Kevin Phippen. “What’s exciting about this project is the potential that putting LED together with an intelligent locking system can unlock. It has a great future not only in the leisure industry but for schools, airports, high security and so on. We’re very keen to work with designers who are interested in developing this further.”

The history of Brighthandle can be traced back to 2001 when Alexander Lervik, lead designer and co-founder of Brighthandle came up with the idea to create a door handle that communicates with colored light. Alexander created a prototype that he displayed at the Milan fare for interior design in 2001. The response was massive. The Brighthandle product was considered one of the most innovative products on the fare and it was selected ‘product of the year’ in the hardware category in prestigious American magazine, Architectural Record.

Brighthandle, offers designers a stylish new way of showing whether any room, toilet or changing cubicle is occupied – by using a flash of brilliance. The stainless steel unsprung handles have illuminated acrylic stems, which change colour when the matching thumbturn is operated. A truly innovative concept in door furniture design, the Brighthandle turns a functional requirement of any private area into a focal point of design.

Brighthandle Alfa Online is powered by mains electricity, which is wired through the door to enable constant colour communication. When the door is open the handle will glow green, when it is locked it will glow red. Brighthandle Alfa is available with a plain stainless steel internal lever or as Brighthandle Alfa Duo, where both the internal and external handles illuminate. Brighthandle Alfa Battery requires two standard AA batteries fitted inside the internal lever. The set comprises a plain stainless steel internal lever and illuminated external lever, which will glow red when the door is locked.