L-door key

Standard door keys consist of the blade, which is inserted into the keyhole, and the bow to be gripped to turn the key, but the relative symmetry of a key’s shape makes its orientation difficult to discern at first glance. When the bow becomes L-shaped, however, the principle of leverage enables the user to turn the key effortlessly, like a hex key. Further, the asymmetrical shape allows for easy identification of the key’s top and bottom, front and back, so users with low vision can feel the key’s correct orientation in their pockets or in unlit areas with only their fingertips.
The design does not add elements to standard keys but instead structurally shifts the bow off center for operation, so the key is neither wider nor bulkier than usual. Brass was chosen as the material for its durability and bacterial and viral resistance.

Collaborator:
Shinichiro Umehana
Zhao Jie
Photographer:
Akihiro Yoshida
2021.02