Engineering Elegance – Fitzwilliam Hotel, Dublin

Irish Door Systems (IDS) delivered a landmark entrance for the prestigious Fitzwilliam Hotel in Dublin, combining aesthetic refinement with precision engineering.

IDS was responsible for the design, fabrication, and installation of a bespoke Schüco Jansen ECO50 steel-framed pivot door system with clerestory fanlights and a Schüco Jansen VISS canopy above. Though minimalist in appearance, the installation required advanced structural calculations to handle wind loads, high public usage, and Dublin’s challenging climate.

The 3.3-metre-high pivoting doors were engineered for durability and smooth operation, while the overhead canopy, glazed with 10.4mm toughened laminated opal glass, was designed to support snow and wind loads without compromising elegance.

All visible steel elements were finished in Metallic RAL Tiger Drylac 068/60960 Dark Bronze—an ultra-durable, Qualicoat Class 2 coating offering superior UV and corrosion resistance. Custom-pressed panels and over cladding tied the new system into the existing structure.

Late-stage design changes required a complete system rework—IDS returned components to its factory, stripped the coating, revised the locking system, re-coated, and reinstalled—all without disrupting schedule.

Automation was delivered through a Tormax 3201i operator and BEA LZR® sensors, achieving touch-free access without visual compromise.

From initial surveys to final commissioning, IDS managed every detail in-house—ensuring seamless integration, compliance, and excellence.

This project stands as a benchmark in engineered entrances, showcasing IDS’s full-service capability and commitment to combining beauty, performance, and craftsmanship in a live city-centre environment.

The Fitzwilliam Hotel Entrance showcases how steel can deliver both architectural elegance and structural excellence. Located at one of Dublin’s most prestigious addresses, the project reflects innovation in design, fabrication, and execution—making it a strong contender for the Irish Steel Awards.

Irish Door Systems (IDS) was commissioned to design, fabricate, finish, and install a bespoke Schüco Jansen ECO50 steel-framed glazed pivot door system, with clerestory fanlights and a VISS rooflight canopy. While the final design appears minimalist, it involved deep technical complexity.

The 3.3-metre-high pivot doors were structurally engineered to withstand wind load and heavy daily footfall. Overhead, the VISS rooflight canopy, glazed with toughened laminated glass, was designed to resist snow load and weather stress without compromising aesthetics.

All steelwork was custom fabricated and powder coated in-house by IDS using Interpon D2525 Anodic Bronze and Tiger Drylac finishes—meeting Qualicoat Class 2 and GSB standards. IDS also delivered bespoke overcladding elements to ensure seamless integration with the existing façade.

Late-stage changes in colour and locking system were addressed with agility: IDS disassembled, shot-blasted, refinished, and reinstalled the system—without affecting project timelines or quality.

The entrance also integrates Tormax 3201i automatic door operators and BEA laser sensors, achieving touch-free automation with no compromise to design intent.

This project is a testament to what’s possible when precision steel engineering meets high-end architecture. IDS has delivered not just a façade, but a landmark entrance worthy of national recognition.