Project Description
Finland’s high-end Smartblock Company chose Waterson hinges for its popular MeetTime Closed, ChatTime Closed, and TalkTime pods. Waterson’s innovative frameless glass door hinge design was desirable to the Smartblock team for its reliable self-closing, speed control, and hold open features. In addition, Smartblock was interested in Waterson’s space-saving easy installation and adjustability.
Why Meeting Pods?
Our modern, fast-paced lives have been rapidly changing over the past several years from mobile phone technology advancements to office space innovations and everywhere in between. Even traditional business meeting rooms, generally considered a staple of the office environment, are evolving into relocatable meeting pods. These unique blocks serve many meeting room functions but with less expense, less space, and more flexibility. Many pods have connectivity, seating, power, and ambient lighting built-in, allowing you to plug and play with minimal fuss.
Waterson K51GG w/ hold-open feature on Smartblock MeetTime Closed +AV Vallila design branding ID Helsinki 2018
Meeting pods generally use frameless laminated glass as their front face and entryway. Not only does frameless glass look clean and elegant, but it provides a needed sound reduction quality. Unfortunately, this poses a material problem for pivot hinges since they aren’t suitable for laminated glass due to clean edge concerns. At the same time, there simply isn’t enough space in a tiny pod for a bulky ground spring door closer, so they aren’t a good solution either. Enter Waterson glass self-closing door hinges.
Waterson Glass to Glass closer hinges and Glass to Wall closer hinges
Waterson Meets Smartblock
As mentioned earlier, Smartblock chose Waterson for its high-quality self-closing functionality. Self-closing ensures that frameless glass doors won’t be left open as a possible hazard to others. At the same time, Waterson’s state-of-the-art hydraulic hybrid mechanism prevents the slamming of fragile glass doors. And yet while it’s important to have efficient and effective door closing, Smartblock also chose to include Waterson’s built-in hold open feature to further maximize user experience.
Waterson provides solutions for both glass-to-glass (K51GG), glass-to-wall (K51GWL), and glass-to-frame (K51GM), as well as optional built-in hold open function with invisible door stop. Look for more Waterson Closer Hinge product information.