With Jan Krejčí on minimalism and the hidden frames of DORSIS

Elegance in interiors manifests differently in each era - the present favors simplicity and aesthetic purity. The company DORSIS, a Czech manufacturer of premium concealed frames, has its say on this. We spoke with its managing director Jan Krejčí not only about the beauty of minimalism but especially about concealed frames. These represent one of the fundamental stylistic elements of modern interiors, even though - as Jan Krejčí says - their main purpose is to be unseen.

What trend do you see generally in interior design and architecture?
We are glad that Dorsis is growing in a time that embraces minimalism - a style that is highly designed, modernly practical, and yet unobtrusive, simply the ideal solution for door spaces. As manufacturers of door systems, we see trends mediated through collaboration with architects, developers, and customers. We are fortunate to participate in modern projects and perceive the fundamental role of minimalism in contemporary architecture closely. Even though it is a concept developed eighty years ago, its style is more applicable today than ever - highly designed, modernly practical, and yet unobtrusive.

Why did you start focusing on concealed frames at Dorsis?
We admire design simplicity and functionality, and in the segment of door spaces, concealed frames represent the ideal solution. Doors with concealed frames are suitable for modern residential and hotel projects, or even office buildings; they are simply one of the fundamental elements of contemporary interior design.

What are the advantages of concealed frames?
Concealed frames represent a beautiful design solution for door openings – the frame and hinges remain hidden, and the door leaf is flush with the wall; we only need to choose the door design. From a construction and technical perspective, doors with concealed frames offer a complete range of possibilities – they are suitable for walls and drywall partitions, universal for opening in or out, with a passage height of up to 3500 mm, meaning up to the ceiling of most common interiors. The advantage over traditional cladded frames is definitely the easy application of finishes, wallpapers, and coverings on the flush side of the leaf and a lower maintenance requirement for all edges protruding from the wall surface.

What is the most important factor to consider when choosing doors?
Customers naturally prefer to focus on the design of the door leaf; our role is to assist in the door selection process to consider the practical aspects together. It is necessary to think about where the doors are placed – are opening or sliding doors better, do they need to withstand moisture in the bathroom or better dampen noise in the quiet zone of the apartment? Do we want to install additional technical equipment, such as concealed automatic closers, magnetic stops? It is simply good to realize that doors are installed permanently, so sufficient care must be given to the choice of the right design and technical solution; it pays off.

Have you noticed any changes in customer purchasing behavior recently?
In the premium door segment, more and more customers prefer collaboration with interior designers and architects, and in the case of commercial projects and public buildings, collaboration with investors and architects is natural. For us, it is crucial to provide sufficient information and offer maximum cooperation to these professionals so that the final realization of concealed frames is not only aligned with the interior design but also technically perfect.

What materials are Dorsis doors made from, and do the different variants differ in properties?
The vast majority of our production of doors with concealed frames DORSIS is custom-made for specific projects. The core construction of the door leaf Fortius 52 is a double wooden frame combined with a lightweight filling panel, but the individual solution complies with the technical specifications, particularly the dimensions of the door opening. The choice of internal construction is defined by functional requirements – acoustic doors providing sound attenuation of up to 37dB have a different internal composition, as do fire doors or unique security doors with concealed frames.
For the customer, the design of the door leaf is often the most important, that is, the visible outer layer - they can choose between natural veneers, lacquered MDF panels, or a preparation of the door leaf for finishing, wallpapering, or cladding. The cladding with an above-standard thick MDF board combined with a solid frame ensures exceptional strength of the Fortius 52 doors, so there is no need to fear that using cladding or finishing on the doors will affect their long-term stiffness compared to lightweight veneer.

How does Dorsis collaborate with architects?
Collaboration with architects is essential for us. We do not want to produce prefabricated frames; our standard is the choice of solutions tailored to each project in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. For this reason, we strive for collaboration as early as during the construction preparation phase; the installation of our door systems needs to be addressed well in advance of the finishing works. A sufficient team of specialists, developers, and regional managers is available to architects and developers, who collaborate on specific projects.
We passionately admire minimalism and design, but we never compromise on the demands for premium quality and craftsmanship. We know that we leave behind not only a quality product but also a precise installation, which is crucial for the customer.

www.dorsis.cz