Botanic Sanctuary in Antwerp, Belgium is the city’s first 5-star superior hotel, designed as a place of refuge and relaxation rather than in the glitzy mode of some international hotels. AIDArchitecten restored a historic monastic complex to provide bedrooms, restaurants and public facilities where every detail has been considered.

Rod Reading of Dormakaba, which supplied the hotel entrance door locks, introduced izé to the project to develop rustic-looking door handles that were sized appropriately for the large doors. There are lever handles, matching thumb turns, and door knobs. In keeping with the rustic aesthetic, there is a deliberately rough surface finish, in a signature izé dark bronze. All the elements were sand-cast.

izé is now working with the hotel on additional lever handles for a further 50 doors, and also on a different design for the spa complex, where the handles will need to withstand the damp environment.