Seven Imaginative Door Designs Rethink the Function of Entrances
Should a door serve more of a function than just being an entrance and exit to a room? Doors have pretty much remained the same for centuries, rarely straying from the original form of a simple hinged panel set into a flat surface. But why can’t it also be a place to hang pictures, or a way to let in light? Japanese design firm Nendo reimagines entrances in both purpose and form with a new series of door designs created to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Abe Kogyo, a manufacturer of wooden front and interior doors.
The Seven Doors series envisions ways in which doors can be even more useful and adaptable, whether to offer additional functions in compact spaces or serve as decorative elements in their own right. Each design is borne from techniques and technology developed by Abe Kogyo.
‘Lamp’ incorporates a lighting fixture, employing the wiring techniques used in electronic locks. ‘Baby’ gives adults and children their own doors that match their respective heights, envisioned as particularly useful in nurseries and pre-schools.
‘Slide’ offers various small openings that let light and fresh air pass into the room and provide a visual connection to the outside while maintaining privacy. ‘Hang’ is outfitted with trays, hooks and vessels for plants, gadgets and other small items.
The beautiful ‘Kumiko’ applies a technique of the same name that enables the assembly of wooden lattices without nails or other fasteners, gradually blending into the smooth wooden surface of the door.
On the other end of the spectrum is ‘Wall,’ perhaps the most multipurpose of all: you can barely discern where the door ends and the functional elements of the wall begin, with built-in shelving and edges that fit perfectly flush. A newly-designed connector prevents the shelves and frames from shaking when the door is opened and closed.
Finally, ‘Corner’ is a dream come true for anyone who’s ever tried to fit large pieces of furniture through an average-sized entry. The idea is to ‘transform the way we think about interior layout,’ creating greater accessibility in the process.
