The Streaks Collection
A collaboration between architectural hardware specialist Bankston and YSG Studio’s Yasmine Ghoniem, The Streaks is a bold new series of door levers, pulls and joinery pieces.
The word ‘streak’ has multiple meanings: it can be a line or mark, a fast movement, a way to describe a behavioural characteristic or an attention-grabbing run in the nude. All these concepts coalesce in The Streaks, a boundary-pushing collaboration between Australian architectural hardware company Bankston and Yasmine Ghoniem, the founder of award-winning Sydney-based architecture and design practice YSG Studio.
Experiments with mismatched timbers and coloured joinery surfaces – hallmarks of Ghoniem’s practice – find form in this collaboration.
The collection is Bankston’s fourth collaboration with a leading studio, following partnerships with Sans-Arc, Civilian and Edition Office. Bankston co-CEOs Emily and Steve Bradley were drawn to Ghoniem for her approach to storytelling through design and her bold, imaginative aesthetic. These characteristics align with Bankston’s drive to broaden the scope of hardware design and its commitment to working closely with artisans. Experiments with mismatched timbers and coloured joinery surfaces – hallmarks of Ghoniem’s practice – find form in this collaboration.
Crafted from globally sourced FSC-certified timber, the range of door levers, pulls and joinery pieces are enlivened with contrasting bands and stripes (‘streaks’) that mimic the natural wood grain. Some pieces combine American White Ash with Australian Blackbutt, others bring together American Walnut and Australian Red Cedar. New Zealand Purpleheart and African Padauk are also utilised. Over time, the timbers intensify in appearance as natural oils develop, heightening the colour contrast.
“We like to think of handles like the eyes of a face. They literally hold the key to what’s inside or beyond and should be celebrated.”
Equal weight has been placed on aesthetics, ergonomics and originality. Importantly, each piece has been designed to create a dramatic entrance – a nod to the naked run or ‘streak’. “We like to think of handles like the eyes of a face,” says Ghoniem. “They literally hold the key to what’s inside or beyond and should be celebrated.” Tactility is also central to the collection’s impact; upon contact, users find warmth and solidity in their hand, a tribute to the integrity of the materials. A clutch of Patinated Bronze pieces is emblematic of Bankston and Ghoniem’s creative approach: the finish is the product of experiments to ensure the hardware’s outdoor durability.
The Streaks is roughly split into three series, but the pieces can be mixed and matched. Products with ‘Streaker’ in their name have the boldest contrasting markings. That includes the Straight Streaker, a universal lever available in three distinctive colourways, including a deep brown paired with blond or earthen red. A tilted timber lever has earned the name Kooky Streaker for its 45-degree angle, while the Sensible Streaker is a vertical elongated pull that works across residential and commercial spaces. Handsome and sturdy, the Wide Guy door pull boasts a rectangular form that culminates in a peak and is available in timber. A more slender version, the Slim Jim, is cast in bronze.
“The Streaks is what happens when you marry perception-challenging design with the unadulterated beauty of timber,” says Steve Bradley. “Yasmine pushed us to step outside our comfort zone, playing with bold contrasts, unexpected material pairings and new production methods.
“We feel that each piece in The Streaks is like a little personality in itself – bold, cheeky and full of energy,” he adds. “It’s a reminder that great design isn’t just about form and function but about having fun along the way.” Following its international launch at the 3daysofdesign festival in Copenhagen in June, The Streaks is now available.
