9.25.14 | New York, NY | Lualdi, premier Italian manufacturer of luxury doors, interior furnishings and modular systems, is celebrating the U.S. launch of a new collection of doors developed in collaboration with HOK Product Design, a division of HOK.

The collection, called Half + Half, includes three doors that have been designed by the HOK Product Design team and engineered and manufactured by Lualdi in its family-owned factory near Milan, Italy. With a variety of materials and finishes, this collection delivers for the shared need of architects and interior designers to enhance residential and commercial spaces with more sophisticated, functional and high quality doors.

Half + Half is a high-end, elegant door that is perfect for small spaces, where swing and sliding doors are typically not feasible. This new door swings and pivots to open into a “half-in-half-out” position. The collection is available in three design styles that combine wood, and/or painted slabs detailed with a shot of intense color.

In the spirit of Italian manufacturing and Milan’s legendary fashion industry, the designs were inspired by men’s suits with a play on the classic pinstripe, a surprise dash of color from the pocket, and lining that peeks through when the jacket is opened.

“Working with an experienced, international team of HOK Product Design's caliber was an incredible experience for us at Lualdi. We are so happy that this collaboration was able to combine the needs of both designers and manufacturers for a truly exceptional product,” says Alberto Lualdi, CEO of LualdiPorte. “The doors we created express two fundamental elements: style and function. We developed a concept that could lessen the ever-increasing space constraints faced by today's professionals by applying our technical knowledge of doors to an eye catching design that compliments a vast array of environments.”

"It has been a fantastic experience working with Alberto Lualdi and his team, who truly made us feel like family during the development of our product. The Half + Half door was an idea HOK Product Design showed to Lualdi, which was developed by our Toronto team that specializes in high-rise condominiums and hotels, many of which are very small spaces,” says Susan Grossinger, Senior Vice President, Director of Product Design at HOK Product Design. “The design both swings open and pivots—half in one room and half in the other—and can meet ADA compliance. With this ingenious design perfectly suited to urban environments, we have developed three designs to accommodate high foreseeable demand in residential and commercial projects, be it homes, condos or hotel rooms, where space is at a premium.”

“Half + Half incorporates elements that answer the needs of designers and architects. The hardware allows the door to both pivot and slide in a fluid motion, almost unexpected. Once opened there is a surprise shot of color on the edge banding, “ says Daniela Barbon, Senior Associate at HOK Product Design. “ We purposely designed the color to appear as a surprise factor and integrated lever with the recessed color. The inspiration came from the tailoring and fashion component that is so vital in a city like Milan.”

The collection was unveiled this past spring during Salone del Mobile in Milan, Italy; and its U.S. launch is scheduled for Oct. 2 at LualdiPorti's NYC showroom.

Please see video and additional images at www.culturecommerce.com/portfolio/hok-product-design-lualdiporte-2

About Lualdi

Lualdi is a leading Italian manufacturer of high-quality doors, interior furnishings and modular systems. Known for their commitment to great innovation and design with a strong emphasis on the technical process of construction and production, Lualdi has established itself as one of the world’s leading manufacturers of luxury doors. Since the company’s groundbreaking 1960’s collaboration with renowned Milanese architect Luigi Caccia Dominioni, Lualdi has joined forces with such well-known architects as Norman Foster, Renzo Piano, Antonio Citterio, Robert A.M.
Stern, David Rockwell and Dror Benshetrit, bringing it to the forefront of the high-end market. A fifth-generation Italian company, LualdiPorte traces its roots to founder Bruno Lualdi, who began by creating tailor-made furniture and windows in the early 1960’s. Today, the LualdiPorte name continues to be synonymous with quality, craftsmanship and innovation.

More information at: www.lualdiporte.com

Lualdi is headquartered in Milan, Italy, with showrooms in the U.S.:

LualdiPorte New York Showroom
110 Greene Street, Suite 306
New York, NY 10012
Tel. +1.212.334.4544

LualdiPorte Miami Showroom
209 Altara Avenue
Coral Gables, FL 33146
Tel. +1.305.461.5464

About HOK Product Design

Founded in 2009, HOK Product Design is an independent business that engages designers who use design thinking to create innovative products for the built environment. Our company partners with manufacturers to develop new ideas that enhance their portfolios while strengthening their market presence. HOK Product Design has received three design patents and three utility patents and the prestigious Best of Neocon Gold, Silver, Innovation and Editor’s
Choice Awards for four products. HOK Product Design work has been profiled in Interiors & Sources, Architect, Fast Company Design, Contract, Landscape Architecture, OfficeInsight, Form and Healthcare Design. Susan Grossinger is a twenty year veteran of HOK and was Director of Interiors in Los Angeles for 15 years prior to taking the Product Design leadership role.