Hidden Compartment – Portfolio

My project vision was to create a fantasy-inspired hidden compartment, something subtle enough to blend into a home setting. Influenced by my lifelong love of stories like The Lord of the Rings, Dune, and The Last of Us, I wanted the artifact to reflect the theme of something magical hidden in plain sight. I imagined a minimalis t hobbit door concealing a secret compartment, quietly nestled within a wall. It would invite discovery, but only from those who looked closely enough.

Originally, I envisioned a complex rack-and-pinion locking system tied into a rotating window, perhaps even voice-activated with Tolkien’s Elvish password. As time went on, I simplified the mechanics but stayed true to the central idea: an interactive piece that fuses fantasy, minimalism, and storytelling. The aesthetic hovered between clean, modern lines and rustic fantasy.

The piece was designed to fit between wall studs (approx. 12×8 inches), with a 4x4x4-inch hidden compartment. My initial materials included birch plywood and clear acrylic, but I ultimately opted for wood throughout after finding suitable laser-cutting stock. The final piece consists of a circular hobbit door, painted and layered with laser-cut wood rings. Behind it, a hand-built compartment opens with a custom-cut key hidden in the doorknob. The internal box was crafted from MDF for lightness and strength. Unfortunately, the wooden key broke at the last minute, so I removed the locking mechanism—though the interaction remains the same.

The design journey included multiple iterations and alternative concepts. I considered a ski-lift spice rack and a mechanical bike-themed compartment before returning to the hobbit door. Once committed, I modeled components in CAD to refine dimensions and prepare for laser cutting. While the CAD files offered ideal tolerances, real-world adjustments were needed. For example, I shaved down parts of the locking mechanism for smooth operation and adjusted slot dimensions to accommodate frame tightness.

The fabrication process ran from late March to mid-April. I laser-cut and glued the wood layers for the door, painted the front panel by hand, and incorporated small aesthetic details like faux greenery. The piece was installed into a drywall cavity in my basement with minimal patching and final paint touch-ups for a seamless look.

Though I forgot document every step with photos, the build involved standard laser cutting and gluing techniques. Most complexity came from fitting tolerances and maintaining aesthetic balance. The final form delivers on my goal: a discreet artifact that feels like a little piece of Middle-earth.

In hindsight, I would have benefited from committing earlier and pushing the fantasy design even further with additional textures or carved detailing. Still, the piece is a fantasy version of form and function.