Probably, the one with the most unique doors would be South Korea because of the fixed doors – something only Korea seems to have. Fixed door has become a common thing for Koreans; it’s everywhere and we don’t even recognize its existence. The major reason for fixed doors are said to help energy by reducing the chance of people leaving both doors open, which could allow heat or air conditioning to escape. It was especially an efficient solution when conserving energy became a national priority in South Korea during the 1980s energy conservation policies. Regardless of any of the reasons, the problem is the act of not asking why – that’s what comes back to us as inconveniences. The core of this discussion is this: by asking ‘why’, we create the opportunity to build a better world. This is exemplified by the indifference towards the existence of fixed doors by Koreans. 

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Origin of Fixed Door in Korea

Globally, fixed doors have been employed for enhancing safety, maintaining stability on uneven surfaces, and improving energy efficiency. In South Korea, however, their widespread adoption is rooted in the energy conservation policies of the 1980s. Amid rapid industrialization and energy scarcity, the government prioritized measures to reduce heating and cooling losses in buildings. Fixed doors offered an efficient solution by ensuring only one side of a double door remained operable, minimizing drafts and conserving energy in high-traffic areas. Over time, this practical adaptation became a normalized feature in Korean architecture, blending into everyday life to the point of indifference.

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What's the Problem?

While these doors fulfilled their purpose during a time of energy crises, their continued use highlights a broader societal issue: the act of not questioning designed norms. As fixed doors persist despite posing challenges in emergencies and accessibility, they symbolize the need to revisit established practices. By asking "why," we create opportunities to reimagine spaces for a more thoughtful and inclusive future. Despite their practicality, fixed doors also illustrate a broader cultural phenomenon: the acceptance of design norms without question. Fixed doors are so prevalent in South Korea that many people no longer notice their existence, much less consider their implications. This indifference highlights a societal tendency to embrace convenience and efficiency without critically examining whether these designs best serve modern needs.

Fixed doors often pose challenges in emergencies, such as fires, by creating bottlenecks and hindering evacuation. Additionally, they complicate accessibility for individuals with disabilities or those requiring more space to pass through. Yet, these issues are rarely scrutinized because the fixed door has become normalized—a testament to how unexamined habits can shape infrastructure and convenience alike.

As Tyler Lee eloquently states, “By not challenging fixed ideas—whether about doors or anything else—we limit our potential.”

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Find Waldo.

The "Waldo" here—the root cause of the fixed door problem—is the unquestioned normalization of design choices rooted in outdated priorities. This issue stems from a broader societal tendency to prioritize conformity and functionality over adaptability and user-centric design. Fixed doors represent a mindset that values standardization and collective goals, but this comes at the expense of individual needs, accessibility, and critical questioning. The act of not asking "why" perpetuates this problem, making fixed doors a symbol of how unexamined norms can create lasting inconveniences and barriers.

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