The monolithic door of the present invention includes a single panel door having a top edge and a front and back side. The door is hinged at the top edge, within a door opening, to a building structure (in one embodiment, a door frame header). A first cam style winding mechanism is secured towards the top of a first vertical member of the door frame and a second winding mechanism is secured towards the top of a second vertical member of the door frame, opposite the first vertical member. A compression strut on each side of the door is secured to tension straps or cables which are in turn attached to a corresponding winding mechanism secured to the building structure. An actuator operatively connected to the winding mechanisms rotates the drums to either to force the door open or allow the door to close.