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Artful Stairs: Continuity in Steel
Ribbonlike Stairs of Steel Seem to Nearly Float on Air
Houzz Contributor. I am an architect and writer living in New York City. I have Bachelor of Architecture and Master in Urban Planning degrees, and over ten years experience in architectural practice, split between Chicago and NYC. Currently I'm focused on writing and online pursuits. My daily blog can be found at http://archidose.blogspot.com
Houzz Contributor. I am an architect and writer living in New York City.... More »
Stairs are one of those elements in a house that allow architects to really flex their design muscles. While many parts of a stair are standardized — the height and length of risers and treads, railing heights, and the openness of guardrails — numerous variables allow for interesting surfaces and construction details.
One way of designing stairs is to treat them as a continuous surface, like a ribbon that wends its way from floor to floor, shaping the treads and risers. Steel is a good material for this approach, because it allows for a thin profile to accentuate the continuity of surface; it can act structurally, so other structural supports can be minimized, and the welding of steel plates can give the appearance that a piece of steel is crimped into shape, even though reality is quite different.
Following are examples of steel stairs that express continuity of surface. The effects are minimal and modern, fitting a certain type of interior. Yet at the same time the effects are varied, stemming from the treatment of the steel and the detailing of the other parts of the stair.
One way of designing stairs is to treat them as a continuous surface, like a ribbon that wends its way from floor to floor, shaping the treads and risers. Steel is a good material for this approach, because it allows for a thin profile to accentuate the continuity of surface; it can act structurally, so other structural supports can be minimized, and the welding of steel plates can give the appearance that a piece of steel is crimped into shape, even though reality is quite different.
Following are examples of steel stairs that express continuity of surface. The effects are minimal and modern, fitting a certain type of interior. Yet at the same time the effects are varied, stemming from the treatment of the steel and the detailing of the other parts of the stair.
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| This photo clearly expresses the thin profile that can be achieved with steel plate stairs. The only other support is a steel tube beneath the steps. Seen in context ... |
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| ... the black steel stairs float in the area between the kitchen and living room. The glass guardrails reinforce this floating effect. A closer look ... |
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| ... reveals the minimal construction of the steps: Note the weld joints where the L-shaped bent plates meet the step above (one can be seen right below "A36"). This is industrial in appearance, but it works with an interior that is simple in surface and detailing. |
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| This beautiful stair floats one step above the stone floor, The cables on the right suspend the steps from the ceiling and act as a guardrail. Note the angle of the risers, a response to code that requires a 1-inch nose extension, apparently not needed in the previous example. |
Here we see that the 1-inch nosing is achieved via the introduction of wood treads on top of the steel stairs. Again we see stairs that are suspended, in this case with steel rods. A closer look ...
... shows the capping of the rods below the treads, a nice detail. As well, the welds are apparent where the risers meet the treads. Bent plates — in the opposite direction of the first example — are evident in the curve on the underside.
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| Here is another example where the treads are covered with another material. No wonder; wood is much warmer to the touch than steel. A look from underneath ... |
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... shows that the stair is held away from the wall, allowing some light from above to filter down the wall and give the impression that the stair floats.
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In this staircase the perforated steel steps seem to disappear. When seen from the correct angle they provide a gauzy view of what is beyond. They also allow light to filter down the staircase. Seen from another angle ...
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... the stairs have more opacity. Note that these steps span from the solid steel guardrail in the center of the stair to the adjacent wall, without any intermediate support.
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This stair squeezes and spirals into a narrow space that previously provided a ladder to the loft above. The new glass wall brings light from above (aided by painting the steps white) and puts the new stair on display. Seen from the side ...
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... it appears that the stair magically floats. Held away from the walls on each side, the stair is only attached at the top and bottom. I'm guessing the shape of the steps and the welding give it structural stability.
More:
Ideas for Defining Spaces With Level Changes
Framing Design: Structural Expression in Steel
Wood Slats in Design: Repetition, Scale and Light
More inspiring architectural details
More:
Ideas for Defining Spaces With Level Changes
Framing Design: Structural Expression in Steel
Wood Slats in Design: Repetition, Scale and Light
More inspiring architectural details
Ideabook updated on March 19, 2012.
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danala - Yes, use caution when implementing ideas! ; )
To me, I see these ideabooks as ways to, well, explore ideas, to help people find this or that of appeal within a photo of a house. That said it's easy to be distracted by a code issue, when the lack of a railing, for example, gives a photo a certain appeal.
As for the price of steel the biggest chunks come from the tooling, machines and labor, if you keep things straight (non-curved), simple and modular and then use drill holes with a bolt system to tie to the structural framing, it won't get costly and might even be cheaper, as the latter essentially eliminates the need for on-site metal workers and/or welding.
Anyhow IMHO, they are all very nice stairs, though I am left wondering about the flex factor of that last one which seems a bit iffy to me. Same for its width which is probably illegal also.