This artist’s studio in lower Manhattan is used for the creation of diverse and often large works of art. While the studio was spacious enough to create such works, the only entry door was too small to allow the art works to be removed. Addressing this challenge in a landmarked neighborhood distilled several questions about history, age and appearance in a city like New York. With approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission, the existing storefront window was replaced with a monolithic swinging door that permits extremely large works of art to exit the space. From the street, the door humbly maintains the previous appearance of the window as well as the historic fabric of the neighborhood. In truth, the door is an example of appearances being made possible by underlying realities. Through complex engineering, detailed design and careful camouflage, twenty first century technology is embedded within a nineteenth century skin.