Stairways design is one area where function always takes precedence over form. Because of safety and accessibility requirements, stairway design must conform to strict guidelines to ensure safety for all users and enable escape in the event of emergency. Using different types of materials in agreement with the overall design aesthetic can provide the best solution.

Functional, safe, and good-looking - just like great design should be!


Glass:

This stairway has a distinct floating feel and sense of weightlessness, which makes the each tread seem to hover motionless in its correct place. The combination of materials, construction, and lighting work well together to achieve this illusion of levitation, which provides visual interest to this otherwise minimal interior.

The treads are secured by mountings concealed in the wall, so eliminating the need for risers, handrail and visible stair string. Balustrade is replaced by transparent glazed panels to safely enclose the stairway, and provide a level of stability for users climbing and descending. Coloured steps allow them to remain visible for safety reasons and  to accentuate their separateness from their surroundings, and each other, thus creating a sequence of individual free-standing progressive elements that seem to defy the laws of gravity. Uplighters illuminating this transition from underneath further accentuates the sense of lightness, causing the steps to glow differently when viewed from various perspectives.

A combination of glass and steel are used in this stair design, which occupies a substantial portion of the central floor space on both levels.  The wide stairway with open, glass treads allows the whole unit, including guarding to occupy the central space without appearing dominant or oppressive. The increased light and visibility allowed between both floors effectively unites each level in the one space under the central ceiling well. The open steps allow the ascending viewer to retain a visual connection with the lower level until they reach the upper level, and this has the effect of blurring the distinction between floors in a seamless flowing transition.

The materials used are glass and stainless steel, both of which convey a modern feel due to the sleek, streamlined forms, and functional aesthetic appeal.
The distinct lack of shadows across both levels is made possible by using all glass construction for the stairs, especially by using crystal clear balustrade and guards around the stairwell. These  are generally made of tempered glass to provide strength, durability, and fire resistance, and are held together with steel brackets and rotules.


Stainless Steel:

The stairs is made entirely of stainless steel with supporting triangular treads of satin-finish crystal. Parallel helices of spiralling bands run into one another in an almost molecular structure. The stainless steel handrail at the base continues to form the guardrail at the upper level, creating an endless spiral from end to end. The flowing form of the structure is  enhanced by the open risers, translucent treads, open balustrade, and absence of the central vertical column normally found in spiral staircases. The severity of the glass and steel is at striking odds with the soft, undulating form of the structure, exaggerated by the gleaming coolness of the reflective surfaces.

The light grey stone facade, the warm grey tinged with violet on the ceiling and walls, and gentle illumination from the ambient lighting allow the cool metallic gleam of the steel to remain to the fore. Although it does seem to be struggling for attention against the imposing bulk of the stone arched wall.

Corten Steel:

The main structure of the stairs and treads are made of corten, which is a type of steel that is allowed to oxidize in a  controlled way to produce a weathered, rust-like patina. This enables a newly constructed installation like the stairway to acquire an aged appearance, drawing their character directly from the qualities of the existing building. Pattern and rhythm of the concrete pillars are reflected in the shape of the guard rail, while the straight run and abrupt angles of the pipework inspire disruption to the linear direction of the handrail. The angled orientation of the guard rails suggest that the stairways true orientation is parallel with the ceiling and that the upper end is hinged to allow raising and lowering, much like a drawbridge. A strong connection is made between the stairs and the upper levels, giving the impression that one end the stairs was dropped from their default position to lure the individual to ascend.

A stainless steel handrail is set into a corten niche, which makes it more attractive to grasp than if it were made of the same material as the rest of the stairs. This has safety and practical benefits well as providing colour and textural contrast. The smooth, gleaming glide of the stainless steel handrail contrasts beautifully with the rough austerity of the corten structure.

This building is an excellent example of how architecture and technology can change the temperament of a space. Existing buildings pose special concerns since it is difficult not to change the stairs or other significant elements and, in the process, change the character of the building.

Ideally, stairs should look like they have always been there and should fit in with the design, scale, and overall style aesthetic of the building. However, meeting current building regulatory requirements may prevent accomplishing this goal. While choosing to reuse existing materials can help, legal requirements may be in conflict with sympathetic design. This building overcomes these problems admirably by installing a lift shaft in addition to the stairs to make the various levels accessible to all, and is a strong design feature in itself.

The largely symmetrical layout of all the elements within the building is jolted into disquiet by the lofty, imposing lift shaft, with its asymmetrical placement challenging the vastness of the interior space.

And then there is this wooden beauty …