Lighting puts the front door in the spotlight

In recent years, front doors have often been integrated into the facade as discreetly as possible, noted Franck De Munster of Harinck, a manufacturer of Frager door panels. In this approach, the front door, mailbox, and facade became virtually one unit. “But that trend is shifting,” says De Munster. “We can be a little more playful again. A front door can once more draw attention.” Frager is responding to this trend with six new models in which handles, relief, and—above all—indirect lighting play a prominent role.

The manufacturer is introducing not just one design, but two series, each consisting of three models. In the first series, a handle that spans nearly the entire height of the door panel is the standout feature. The long vertical line makes the door appear taller and incorporates integrated LED lighting. This lighting serves not only an aesthetic purpose but also a practical one: the indirect light makes the lock cylinder more visible in the evening.

From Minimalist to Kusama

Each of the three models interprets that concept in a different way. Profilo is designed, among other things, for high-traffic entryways, such as those in apartment buildings. Lalinea, on the other hand, has a flatter, more understated design. Kusama is a more exuberant model and Frager’s homage to the Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, who is known for her exuberant dot-patterned work. “I went to a Kusama exhibition in Cologne, and it was incredibly crowded,” says De Munster. “Something like that really sticks with you. We translated those dots into round openings in the handle. By placing indirect lighting behind them, you get a completely different look in the evening.’

According to him, it also illustrates how Frager views lighting these days—not as a separate technical add-on, but as part of the design. “Of course, you light up the spot where you insert your key; that’s practical. But if you’re adding light anyway, you might as well use it to create something beautiful.”

An illuminated tube as a handle

For the second series, Frager chose a different starting point. Here, hollow tubular profiles are mounted on the door panel, which also serve as a handle. The lighting is housed inside the profile and directed toward the cylinder. “The idea is actually very simple: why should such a tube be just a handle?” says De Munster. “We illuminated it from the inside, and during the first test, we immediately saw that it created a unique effect.”

Even within this series, the designs vary. Less is, as the name suggests, the most minimalist version. Two tubular elements appear to move toward each other, creating a sense of calm. More takes it a step further and is ‘more ornate.’ The third model, Taliesin, is inspired by the floor lamp of the same name designed by American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Just like that lamp, the light isn’t directed outward. It comes from below and reflects off an aluminum plate, creating a softer lighting effect. “That adds a special detail that works well in both modern and more classic homes. With these models, it’s really all about playing with light.”

Despite the lighting, Frager wants to avoid the new doors becoming mere gadgets. The light should support the form, not overshadow it. For De Munster, this is precisely the creative freedom that has long been underutilized in entrance areas. “A front door is the first thing you touch when you enter a building,” he says. “So it’s perfectly fine for something to happen there. I expect we’ll introduce even more playful designs in the near future.”