A Mechanical Puzzle Must Be Solved in Order to Open the Hidden Door to a Secret Passage

Client : UK historic estate owner
Location : A noted historic English Estate outside of London
Description : 3-step mechanical system that resets upon completion
Materials : Custom fabricated aluminum parts
Timeline : 6 months to design, engineer, and fabricate

Challenge: How do you create a new twist to the tradition of secret passageways in historic mansions?

Solution: Design a Rube Goldberg-style mechanical puzzle that must be solved in order to open the hidden bookcase door.

Process: A series of prototypes were built, tested, refined and rebuilt at each step to create the integrated, multi-step mechanical system. The sequence of our final iteration was to open the door latch by turning the bookshelf armillary 180° and then pulling down the 2 “Domesday Books” in the proper order.

Next, the entire mechanism needed to reset itself because the door had to easily open with a single step when re-entering the room from the passageway. No electronics or electrical systems were permitted.

System components included: