When a prestigious investment banking firm undertook the renovation of its Bond Street headquarters, the design brief was clear: every detail had to reflect the building’s renewed status as a place of discretion, influence, and refinement. From the marble reception floors to the bespoke joinery in executive suites, no compromise was to be made on quality, aesthetic, or functionality. One element, however, posed a significant challenge—the bathroom door handles.
The client required handles that would be fully compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), ensuring accessibility for all employees and visitors. However, as the design team quickly discovered, the vast majority of DDA-compliant handles available on the market were limited in style and finish. Standard catalogue options, often produced in stainless steel or utilitarian aluminium, clashed with the sophisticated design language of the project. The cool, functional look was at odds with the warm, high-end palette of the interiors, which featured brass detailing throughout.
Recognising the need for a solution that balanced legal compliance with uncompromising luxury, we proposed the design and manufacture of a bespoke set of solid brass bathroom handles. This approach would ensure not only adherence to accessibility standards but also absolute cohesion with the building’s broader design vision. Working closely with the architects, we refined the profile to meet all ergonomic and dimensional criteria required under DDA regulations, ensuring ease of use for individuals with limited dexterity or strength.
The manufacturing process was equally meticulous. Using solid brass stock, each handle was precision-machined to the approved design, with careful attention paid to achieving a comfortable grip and the smooth transitions essential for accessibility. The handles were then hand-finished in a custom antique brass tone, complementing the bronze accents, lighting fixtures and door hardware elsewhere in the building. To guarantee durability in a high-traffic environment, a protective lacquer was applied, preserving the lustre while making maintenance straightforward.
Installation was carried out with exacting precision, ensuring every handle sat perfectly aligned, both functionally robust and visually harmonious with the surrounding door furniture. The result was a set of lift-to-lock bathroom handles that met every requirement: fully DDA-compliant, comfortable to use, and visually in keeping with the understated elegance of one of London’s most exclusive office spaces.
By taking a bespoke approach, the project was able to overcome the limitations of standard accessible hardware and create a functional necessity that also served as a statement piece. The brass handles now stand as a subtle but telling detail in a renovation defined by its attention to excellence—proof that accessibility and luxury can coexist without compromise.
