When seeking a grand entrance, one needs a partner who is confident in thinking of doors in extraordinary terms. Bill Alam, director of Ultimate Doors and Joinery, has profound experience with custom-built ultralarge door solutions and knows exactly what it takes to create an unforgettable access point. The Sydney-based company offers clients a one-stop shop for exceptional doors, providing extensive and thorough consultation, as well as handling the entire design, manufacturing, and installation process. Recently they have expanded their network of partners to master one door finish in particular: liquid metal. See for yourself how this material opens up a world of possibilities and paves the way for a wide range of potential outcomes.
A Consultation-first Approach
Welcome to the 8th episode of Opening up where we honor the grand entrance, known to be the specialty of Bill Alam. As the director of Sydney-based company Ultimate Doors and Joinery, he invites us to go the extra mile, not just in terms of dimensions but also in his unwavering dedication to a client-centric process. Emphasizing the importance of consultation and a holistic approach, his work centers on door designs that go higher and wider than ever before. From his favorite material to work with – liquid metal – to the hardware that is needed to reach new heights, this episode is all about redrawing the line between established norms and the seemingly impossible.
How to Become a Grand Entrance Specialist
Peaking in any field of expertise requires significant time and determination. Bill, a master of the grand entrance, can look back on over a decade of experience that has shaped him into an expert in this domain. After settling in Australia 12 years ago, he specialized in doors, steadily accumulating the know-how needed to design, manufacture, and install grand-scale projects. Along his journey, he learned from remarkable people as well as from companies like FritsJurgens, which he states, "have changed my perspective on how a grand entrance should look, function, and the size it can encompass.”
The Big Things Count
At Ultimate Doors and Joinery, clients with grand ideas can rely on Bill’s full dedication for the entirety of their project: “We invest 100% of our effort and time in order to deliver the exact result our customers want or the dream they have imagined.” Based on his experience, the grand entrance is not a spontaneous decision, but a vision that often was years in the making. Acknowledging the importance of a great partner during the realization phase, Bill oversees the complete process, from the design of the entrance to manufacturing the door and culminating in the installation. Extensive consultation encompasses every aspect – whether it's the door's size, finish, or the hardware that seamlessly brings it all together. The ultimate aim is to provide clients with an all-inclusive worry-free package, eliminating the hassle of sourcing various contractors for them.
The Material That Visions Are Made Of
“Besides the door’s size and the weight, the finish plays a very, very big role. I’d even say it’s the most important part.” emphasizes Bill, then promptly adds his favorite material to work with: “In my opinion, liquid metal has become the nicest finish for our grand entrances. It gives you so many options – different colors, different metals, and different designs on the door itself.” Over the years, the collaboration with their trusted company for liquid metal finishes has evolved into a true partnership, granting them the freedom to expand their design ideas by giving them complete confidence in the outcome.
FritsJurgens as a Trusted Partner
Speaking of the partnership that connects him with FritsJurgens, Bill values that it has “allowed me to go wider and higher and thicker with my doors.” In the early days, 2.5 x 1.5 meter doors already posed a significant challenge, until the right hardware gave him the means he needed to realize his bigger and bolder ideas. Today, he is working with doors up to 5 meters in size, weighing up to 500 kg. As a result, he is now competing in the high-end architectural market, where the seamless finish is highly sought after. Still, there are bigger objectives ahead with future plans to create entrances so grand they become record-breaking.
