Achieving maximum flexibility (and style) with frameless pocket doors

In an ideal world, doors could seamlessly disappear and reappear, creating connections and barriers when needed to provide the ultimate flexibility. Domestic interiors increasingly combine work and leisure, requiring both conviviality and solitude, and the same is true of workspaces, which increasingly feature adaptable ways to link different zones and activities. Tried and tested spatial concepts such as open plan or many small, cellular rooms are no longer sufficient as, on their own, they do not provide real flexibility and adaptability.

The epitome of modern design, pocket doors are sliding doors that fully disappear into a cavity within a wall. They can help to create more flexible spaces as they do not require an opening radius and are also more friendly to wheelchair users. When combined with precision engineering and craftsmanship, they can help achieve both a seamless look, and the feeling of flow between spaces. Based in Puglia, Italian manufacturer Ermetika has been making these sliding doors for over three decades and is a leader in European and international markets. Initially specialising in hidden door frames, the company now provides fully integrated systems of sliding and pocket doors, flush swing doors and hardware accessories such as door handles.

The company's latest range, the Echo, launched last year, combines the elegant frameless door design with a wide range of high quality laminate surfaces. Its integrated perimeter frames – which maintain a slender integrated profile – are available in various finishes to match a range of interiors. Whether bronze, chrome, or white, these can be paired with a similarly wide range of door finishes such as ash, walnut, mountain and grey elm, and white. This ensures that the Echo can be adapted and customised to any number of design styles – from minimalist and industrial chic to more opulent and nature-inspired interiors.

These colours were chosen after a careful study of contemporary interior design trends to ensure they reflect customer demand, and doors can also be finished in the same colour as the walls for a truly seamless look. But it's not just about the aesthetics; pocket doors also provide a silent, ergonomic function as well. The hidden sliding mechanism is precision engineered by Ermetika and the cavity with its surrounding cage is sturdy, all while being slender enough to double as a standard partition wall.

Ermetika's Adapta door handles can be used to complete the minimalist look. Available with a locking mechanism for added privacy (or without), the discreet, recessed handle comes in colourways that include black, white, champagne, satin chrome and dark bronze. The locking mechanism is integrated within the handle, rather than being an additional element, meaning that the integrity of the design is consistent in both options and can still offer the minimalist, uncluttered look that pocket doors provide.

While pocket doors are a good solution for some spaces, clients and designers are often looking for more solutions to use within the same space – whether this is a home or an office, to accommodate a range of layouts and functions. Matching different doors can be a challenge, but the Echo is also available as a swing model. Featuring the same colourways for all its components, it helps in creating coherent interiors while maintaining the same minimalist, frameless look throughout when combined with Echo sliding doors. On their own, Echo swing doors still feature the signature seamless look suited to a simple, contemporary interior.

The Echo is the latest addition to Ermetika’s product range, which also features more classic models with frames, such as the Evolution, Staffetta or Velio, which are also available in multiple panel configurations for extra wide openings. The company also manufactures Arkimede, the first curved sliding door introduced in 1996 and Luminox, which integrates light switches and power sockets within the cavity wall for additional functionality.

© Architonic

Head to the Architonic Magazine for more insights on the latest products, trends and practices in architecture and design.