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43 Times Architects Failed At Their Jobs And Made Doors That Lead Absolutely Nowhere
Interview With ExpertWhether it’s the pearly gates of heaven or a hidden portal to another realm, doors have long been depicted as an entryway to adventure, danger, wonder, and sometimes, the unknown.
That’s why when we spot one that literally leads nowhere, it makes us awfully curious.
Some doors reveal only thin air, a brick wall, or nothing at all — not even Narnia.
Bored Panda has narrowed down some of the most absurd doorways from around the world, that will make your mind race with questions. Is it a magic door? Does it lead to another world? Or is it simply a forgotten remnant or a silly architectural mistake?
We spoke to James WP Campbell, author of ‘Doors: History, Repair and Conservation,’ to answer some of these questions for you.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Rail Installed, Boss
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#2
This Bed & Breakfast Has A Door To Nowhere On The Second Floor
Bill Swallow 8 months ago (edited)
My theory is that at least some of these second-floor doors are to facilitate moving large furniture in and out that would not be able to negotiate the stairs. (Would you rather hoist a piano up from the truck to that door, or try and manhandle it up through the interior from the ground floor?) As an example, back on the farm, we had a two-story chicken house with a door like this up on the second floor. When time came to clean the place out, we'd back the manure spreader up to the building, open the door, and shovel it right out.
#3
Hidden Door
UnclePanda 8 months ago (edited)
I became part of the university's safety team and I eventually got to go through all of the Engineering College's 'Harry Potter' doors. What surprised me the most was how many I'd walked past regularly and never noticed. Tiny access ways to the roof, every overhanging or elevated roof, the top and bottoms of the elevators, HVAC, network closets, etc. A few were merely access points to traces of earlier construction, like the void behind the ends of a new and excitingly curved synergistic learning wall. They should all be accessible somehow for maintenance and emergency services.
#4
Where Does This Door Lead?
#5
Door To Nowhere, Wigan, UK
#6
This Door To Nowhere
#8
A Building In My City Has Three Green Doors That Open... Nowhere
#9
The Door To Nowhere
#10
Door To Nowhere In Battersea Power Station, London
#11
These Doors To Nowhere
#12
The Door To Nowhere
Hippopotamuses 8 months ago (edited)
It looks very weathered for something in, or on, a modern looking building.
#13
A Door To Nowhere At The Airport
#14
I See Your Chair And Swing, And Raise You This Door Out Of Nowhere
Debby Keir 8 months ago
see it in 3D and there's a place for bears (or humans) to sh*t in the woods.
#15
We Found This Ridiculous Door Whilst Exploring Glasgow
#16
This Random Doorway To Nowhere
#17
My Friend Has A Door In His Stairwell That Leads Nowhere
#18
This Building With A Door To Nowhere In Galena, Illinois
#19
This Door Leads Nowhere
Nicole Weymann 8 months ago
Presently at #16 I feel compelled to say that most of these do not lead "nowhere", but to broken bones and hospital.
#20
I Found A Door While Hiking
#21
This Door Leads To Nowhere
#22
Went To A Graphic Arts Place Found This Door
#23
Emergency "Exit" In A Friend's Office Building. First Time They Opened It Was During A Fire Alarm
#24
Door That Lead To Nowhere At My School
#25
Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport Has A Door To Nowhere
#26
2nd Floor Door To Nowhere
#27
Door To Nowhere Found In A Florida Alley
#30
I Wonder Where This Random Door Leads
Randomly found this in the woods. To which room of the manor does that go?
#31
What Should We Do With A Door To Nowhere?
#32
I Found A Door (And Nothing Else) On An Abandoned Beach
#33
I Randomly Found This 2ft High "Magic Door" In Fife, Scotland
#34
This Door To Nowhere
#35
A Door To Nowhere At Sams Club
#36
Either This Door Is A Secret Portal Only Accessible By Certain People, Or It's A Door That Leads To Nowhere
Hippopotamuses 8 months ago
It looks as though something - like a moveable wall - slots into the end of it.
#37
This Door Leads Nowhere
#38
A Door In My Building Leads To Nowhere
#39
I Found A Door Under A Bridge That Leads To Nowhere
Bill Swallow 8 months ago (edited)
Sure about that? Could be to facilitate structural inspections. I frequently see access hatches in highway overpasses.
#40
Door From The Attic Leading To Nowhere?
#42
When You Build A Porch A Little Too High And The Door Be Looking Like Dis From Da Inside
#43
Door On The Second Floor
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What do you think ?
Bill Swallow 8 months ago (edited)
For those who like this list, if you haven't seen it, you might enjoy 'The Lost Room' (TV miniseries, 2006, streaming on Plex, CW, Roku, Tubi, Prime). Three episodes, 90 minutes each. Guy finds a motel room key that opens any door - and the non-existent motel room is on the other side.
Bill Swallow 8 months ago (edited)
For those who like this list, if you haven't seen it, you might enjoy 'The Lost Room' (TV miniseries, 2006, streaming on Plex, CW, Roku, Tubi, Prime). Three episodes, 90 minutes each. Guy finds a motel room key that opens any door - and the non-existent motel room is on the other side.
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