Torafu Architects hides dolls' house within a wooden chair
Koichi Suzuno and Alicja Strzyzynska of Torafu Architects have designed a children's seat that splits in half to reveal a dolls' house inside (+ slideshow).
![Dollhouse Chair by Torafu Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/Dollhouse-Chair-by-Torafu-Architects_dezeen_468_0.jpg)
Torafu Architects' Dollhouse chair has a storage compartment hidden in its seat that can double up as a miniature toy home.
![Dollhouse Chair by Torafu Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/Dollhouse-Chair-by-Torafu-Architects_dezeen_468_3.jpg)
The painted white beech plywood chair splits vertically and hinges open to reveal a small space on each side.
![Dollhouse Chair by Torafu Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/Dollhouse-Chair-by-Torafu-Architects_dezeen_468_4.jpg)
The chair's slanted arms become roof gables, while the divided hollow seat provides four ledges for placing tiny furniture.
![Dollhouse Chair by Torafu Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/Dollhouse-Chair-by-Torafu-Architects_dezeen_468_2.jpg)
"When split apart down the middle, the chair reveals the shape of a house with a red gable roof," said the designers. "Kids can play with their toys and stow them away with other small objects by shutting the chair closed once playtime is over."
![Dollhouse Chair by Torafu Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/Dollhouse-Chair-by-Torafu-Architects_dezeen_468_1.jpg)
The multifunctional furniture piece can therefore be used for sitting, playing and storing toys.
![Dollhouse Chair by Torafu Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/Dollhouse-Chair-by-Torafu-Architects_dezeen_468_13.jpg)
"These three distinct functions make the Dollhouse Chair a very original and versatile piece of furniture," said Torafu Architects.
![Dollhouse Chair by Torafu Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/Dollhouse-Chair-by-Torafu-Architects_dezeen_468_7.jpg)
Made by plywood manufacturer Ichiro and available from its online store, the product was designed with longevity in mind.
![Dollhouse Chair by Torafu Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/Dollhouse-Chair-by-Torafu-Architects_dezeen_468_8.jpg)
"We hope that people will use this product for a long time," the designers told Dezeen. "It will be a good present for a child, and we are sure they will be very surprised when they find this is a not only chair but also a dolls' house."
![Dollhouse Chair by Torafu Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/Dollhouse-Chair-by-Torafu-Architects_dezeen_468_12.jpg)
Last month, 19 London-based designers created miniature fantasy rooms for an exhibition at London's Museum of Childhood.
![Dollhouse Chair by Torafu Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/Dollhouse-Chair-by-Torafu-Architects_dezeen_468_14.jpg)
In 2013, architects and designers including Zaha Hadid and David Adjaye designed and constructed dolls' houses that each integrated a feature that would make life easier for a disabled child.