In conjunction with Design Tide Tokyo, architect Hideyuki Nakayama – a protégé of Toyo Ito – has teamed up with UNION, a manufacturer of door handles and levers, to create a glass globe doorknob. As you approach the doorknob you catch a glimpse of what appears to be another world, waiting for you to enter and join, but in fact is a reflection of the room on the other side of the door.
When I first saw this it was very Ghibli-esque to me. I’ve never seen so much thought go into a doorknob. It’s currently on display at Plain People in Aoyama.
via Openers
November 10, 2010 at 10:22 am
This doorknob, while a seemingly small detail, is the embodiment of so many things, as magical as it is meticulous. I’m feeling definite product lust for this! The interior of the Plain People shop is so inspiring as well. Thank you!
November 10, 2010 at 12:26 pm
@chelliswilson thanks for your thoughts! I agree, it certainly is a fascinating piece. And the good news is that, unlike a lot of concept pieces, this one is actually going to be buyable.
November 10, 2010 at 3:02 pm
Very cool design piece, but not the most practical. The whole point you shut the door is so people don’t see whats on the other side. Now the sock has to go over the doorknob inside the room not outside.
November 10, 2010 at 3:07 pm
@Nick good point. I suppose it would really only be practical in a retail setting such as a storefront, or a bar.
November 11, 2010 at 8:29 pm
My first thought was !!! This made my heart flutter. Magical.
November 14, 2010 at 11:07 pm
@Juli isn’t it enchanting? I keep coming back to it.
November 23, 2010 at 1:34 pm
i live alone, and sometime i just shut my door to keep the energy out. find this to be a magical idea! love it.