A 4-Panel Vetrina Aluminum Bi-Fold Door Delivered in 4 Weeks
PROJECT SCOPE
Type: Commercial
Location: 499 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Age of Structure: Adaptive Reuse
Architects: One Hat One Hand
Window System: Bi-Fold Door
When an automotive brand is preparing for a grand opening tied to a major event like the LA Auto Show, the storefront has to do more than “look good.” It has to perform like a piece of equipment: reliable, secure, energy-compliant, and capable of transforming the space in seconds for press, product reveals, and high-traffic visitor flow.
For the new AFEELA Studio Beverly Hills, a brand new EV showroom in Los Angeles, CA envisioned by One Hat One Hand, Vetrina Windows designed, manufactured, and delivered a 4-panel aluminum bi-fold door on an ultra-compressed schedule, while still meeting California Title 24 commercial fenestration requirements.
Project Fundamentals
The schedule was the element that made this project particularly challenging. Shop drawings were signed and accepted in mid-October (2025), and the completed system was delivered 4 weeks later. That timeline represents an exceptionally fast turnaround for a custom commercial bi-fold package.
We executed the order on a true rush basis, at no additional charge, by strategically utilizing on-hand black bi-fold materials, all while maintaining full compliance with the project specifications and performance requirements.
Size and configuration (from approved shop drawings)
The approved shop drawings called for a single 4-sash bi-fold unit, configured in a 3/1 split. This configuration consists of three folding panels paired with one active swing panel, providing both flexibility and controlled access.
The unit was engineered as an outward-opening system with the panels stacking to the left, optimizing circulation within the showroom while preserving a clean exterior presence. The overall rough opening measured approximately 164 1/4" in width by 125 1/4" in height, creating a substantial glazed opening appropriate for an automotive retail environment.
This was a single bi-fold door unit configured as a 4-sash bi-fold with a 3/1 split (three folding panels plus one active swing panel), designed for an outward-opening operation with the stack to the left.
Frame, track, and finish
The system was fabricated using thermally broken 6063-T5 extruded aluminum profiles for both frame and sash construction, ensuring structural integrity while supporting energy performance. A concealed track configuration was used to maintain refined sightlines and a more streamlined threshold, which is especially important in a high-end commercial setting.
The finish was specified in black, meeting AAMA 2604 standards, with RAL-9004M color applied consistently to both the frame and hardware. This finish not only aligns with contemporary architectural aesthetics but also provides durability suitable for commercial applications.
Glazing (Title 24-friendly performance strategy)
To meet California Title 24 commercial energy requirements without compromising transparency, the system incorporated a 1 1/8" overall insulated glazing unit. The glass makeup consisted of a 1/4" exterior clear lite with SunGuard SNX62/27 low-e coating positioned on surface #2, paired with an argon-filled air space utilizing a black spacer, and a 1/4" interior clear lite.
This configuration was selected to reduce solar heat gain while maintaining high visible light transmission, supporting both energy efficiency and the bright, gallery-like quality expected in an EV showroom environment.
Technical Challenges Solved
1. Delivering a true rush order without “rush order quality”
Fast-track storefront work typically fails in two places:
Engineering decisions get rushed, then field conditions expose gaps
Fabrication gets accelerated, then tolerances and finishing suffer
To avoid both, we focused on a few non-negotiables:
Early design lock through shop drawings that were clear enough for GC + installer coordination
Stable bill of materials using on-hand black system components (profiles, hardware, finish strategy)
Manufacturing sequencing that prioritized the critical-path items: frame fabrication, thermal breaks, glazing procurement, and hardware prep
The result: A door system that looks and operates like it was on a standard lead time.
2. Title 24 compliance, without sacrificing the “gallery glass” aesthetic
Showrooms want transparency, but California energy requirements demand control. This is where the system selection matters.
By pairing:
a thermally broken aluminum bi-fold platform, and
a solar-control low-e IGU with argon fill,
We delivered a storefront opening that supports the architectural intent (bright, clean, minimal) while aligning with commercial energy standards.
3. A showroom door has to operate flawlessly, not just photograph well
Bi-fold doors in commercial spaces get used hard. Staff will open it daily, visitors will push traffic through it, and events will demand quick transitions.
The system uses standard bi-fold hardware with dedicated hinges, rollers, and guides engineered for repeated operation. We also detailed gasketing and sealing components (brush gaskets, glazing gaskets, and perimeter seal strategy) to support consistent operation and weather management.
4. A low-profile entry that supports premium retail expectations
This is a subtle point that matters in high-end commercial spaces: the entry must feel effortless. Concealed track and thoughtful threshold detailing help deliver:
cleaner sightlines at the base
fewer visual “parts”
a more intentional transition between sidewalk and showroom floor
(As always, final accessibility and site-condition coordination are project-specific, but the system architecture supports a refined, low-profile outcome.)
Vetrina Bi-Fold Doors are a great choice for automotive showrooms and car dealers
Automotive retail is becoming more like hospitality and gallery design: open, bright, flexible, and brand-forward. A well-designed bi-fold supports that shift.
The practical benefits
Transformable frontage: Go from secure storefront to open-event mode quickly (ideal for launches and media moments).
Large clear opening: Useful for vehicle move-in/move-out logistics, display changes, and oversized deliveries.
Daylight and visibility: A clean, high-glass storefront keeps the product visually connected to the street.
Thermal strategy that makes HVAC more manageable: Thermally broken framing + solar-control low-e glass helps reduce heat load and glare.
Durability for daily use: Commercial-grade hardware and a system designed for repeated cycling.
The brand benefits
Modern minimal sightlines: Black architectural aluminum frames read premium and intentional.
A “wow” moment that is functional: The door itself becomes part of the showroom experience.
General contractors, glaziers, and commercial property owners should view this project as proof that a high-performance bi-fold system can elevate both the functionality and presence of a commercial space when it is engineered and delivered correctly.
Whether for automotive showrooms, experiential retail, hospitality environments, galleries, or modern office lobbies, a commercial-grade bi-fold door creates flexibility, expands usable frontage, and enhances the overall customer experience.
The key is partnering with a manufacturer that understands engineering details, code compliance, installation coordination, and real-world construction timelines. With the right team, a large-format opening is not just an architectural feature, it becomes a strategic asset to the space.
Why Vetrina Windows for Your Fenestration Projects
We are structured for commercial work that demands speed and accountability:
In-house engineering and shop drawing development
Manufacturing control from profiles through glazing coordination and final assembly
Installer-friendly detailing and responsive communication during the field phase
The ability to execute fast-track timelines when the project schedule leaves no margin
If your next commercial space needs a bi-fold opening that is performance-minded, code-aware, and delivered with urgency, Vetrina Windows is ready to scope it.
Want to spec a similar system for your showroom or commercial space?
Send us your rough opening, elevation intent, and performance requirements, and we will turn it into a fabrication-ready package. For more info – call us at 267.703.2230 or email info@vetrinawindows.com.