Poor Door is a term used in architecture and design to describe the practice of creating separate entrances for tenants in a building who have different incomes or social status. This practice has been implemented in some residential buildings and has been met with heated debate due to the implications it can have on social class structure and the ability of certain people to access certain areas or resources. The idea behind Poor Door is to create a distinction between those who are financially capable of residing in the building or complex, and those who are not. This separation can be seen in the form of both a physical and an intellectual divide. Poor Door could include separate entrances for low-income tenants, a restricted and limited access for those tenants, or even a restricted floor plan that only certain individuals have access to. The use of Poor Door has been criticized for perpetuating class segregation in design and creating physical barriers between tenants. It also creates a sense of stigma and can be seen as a form of discrimination. However, proponents argue that Poor Door is a necessary measure to ensure the financial viability of a building or complex and to provide affordable housing options for low-income tenants. Despite the controversy surrounding Poor Door, it continues to be used in some residential buildings. Some cities have even implemented zoning regulations that require developers to provide a certain percentage of affordable housing units in new developments, which can lead to the implementation of Poor Door. In conclusion, Poor Door is a term used to describe the practice of creating separate entrances for tenants in a building who have different incomes or social status. While controversial, it continues to be used in some residential buildings as a means of providing affordable housing options for low-income tenants. However, it has been criticized for perpetuating class segregation in design and creating physical barriers between tenants.
architecture, design, social status, affordable housing, controversy
CITATION : "John Allen. 'Poor Door.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=314340 (Accessed on June 24, 2025)"
Poor Door is a term used to describe the architectural and design practice of creating separate entrances for tenants in a building who have different incomes. This practice can be seen in buildings in many cities, where tenants of lower socioeconomic status are directed to a side or rear entrance while tenants of higher socioeconomic status use the main entrance. This practice is controversial, as it can be seen as class segregation in design, and it creates physical barriers between tenants. It also creates a sense of stigma and can be seen as a form of discrimination.
socio-economic segregation, design discrimination, entrance design, income disparity, architectural division.
Poor Door is a term used to describe a separate entrance within a building or complex that is designed to separate individuals or groups of people based on their financial or social status. The idea behind Poor Door is to create a distinction between those who are financially capable of residing in the building or complex, and those who are not. This separation can be seen in the form of both a physical and an intellectual divide. Poor Door could include separate entrances for low-income tenants, a restricted and limited access for those tenants, or even a restricted floor plan that only certain individuals have access to. Poor Door is a concept that has been implemented in some residential buildings, but has been met with heated debate due to the implications it can have on social class structure and the ability of certain people to access certain areas or resources.
Poor Door, Inequality, Social Class, Low-Income Housing.
We have 216.545 Topics and 472.615 Entries and Poor Door has 3 entries on Design+Encyclopedia. Design+Encyclopedia is a free encyclopedia, written collaboratively by designers, creators, artists, innovators and architects. Become a contributor and expand our knowledge on Poor Door today.