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Beyond the Door: Designing for Safety, Accessibility, and Smart Integration

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Friday, November 14, 2025 Season 1, Episode 9

This podcast explores the evolving intersection of design, technology, and human experience in door hardware and access control systems. Through expert discussion, listeners will gain insight into how innovative hardware solutions can simultaneously enhance security, accessibility, and design intent. The conversation examines how divisions 8 and 28 converge to influence specifications, the growing role of IoT and mobile credentials, and how retrofit-friendly and sustainable platforms extend building life cycles. From high-end residential to multifamily and commercial environments, the course highlights real-world strategies for achieving both performance and aesthetic excellence in modern access design.

Learning Objectives: 
  1. Examine how the evolution of access control systems and fire-rated hardware influences occupant protection, accessibility, and code compliance in today’s built environments.
  2. Identify strategies for balancing performance, durability, and design intent when selecting materials, finishes, and technologies for doors and hardware.
  3. Evaluate how emerging smart technologies, including IoT, mobile credentials, and cloud-based platforms impact user experience, facility management, and long-term operational efficiency.
  4. Discuss methods for integrating Divisions 8 and 28, ensuring coordination among design professionals, contractors, and installers to meet project requirements and performance goals.
Professions: 
Architecture
Design Category: 
(08) Doors, Windows and Openings
Podcast Host: 

Megan Vipond

Megan Vipond

With a Master’s degree in Architecture, Megan has a unique blend of technical expertise and practical experience. She has a foundation in architectural design and an understanding of both design and construction processes, honed through years of hands-on project coordination and fostering on-site relationships. Currently, as a Specification Consultant, she works closely with architects to introduce innovative new products and navigate the latest advancements in the industry.

Podcast Guest(s): 

Qianyan Cheng

Qianyan Cheng

Qianyan Cheng is the Co-Founder and Vice President of Product Development at Unison Hardware, creators of the INOX™ brand of elegant door hardware. Her manufacturing and industrial design expertise come from more than 20 years in the hardware and lock industry in Europe, Asia, and America, with the last decade devoted to the growth and innovation of INOX™ in Sacramento, California. Her published works include many articles in Doors + Hardware magazine on topics including barn door locks, door hardware design fundamentals, and electrified access control for sliding doors.

Applicable Credits