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Cantilevered Stairs: Walking on Air
Floating Stairs Take Minimalism to New Levels
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 »
In my last ideabook I looked at stairs made from thin plates of steel that appeared ribbonlike in their continuity from step to step. One impression you get from that combination of form and material is that they appear to float. This next look at stairs considers steps that float more literally; cantilevering from one side, each step is independent, the antithesis of the ribbonlike steel stairs.
What follows are predominantly wood stairs, anchored along a solid wall and projecting into space. The different effects are certainly dramatic, aided no doubt by the detailing of the guardrails and the treatment of the adjacent wall, as well as the articulation of the steps themselves.
What follows are predominantly wood stairs, anchored along a solid wall and projecting into space. The different effects are certainly dramatic, aided no doubt by the detailing of the guardrails and the treatment of the adjacent wall, as well as the articulation of the steps themselves.
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| This first example features a wood stair that is well integrated into a porous wall composed of horizontal members with spacers and gaps in between. It's easy to imagine the steps slotted between the horizontals continuing through to the other side of the wall. Another view ... |
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... accentuates the way the wood steps cantilever away from the wall, especially since the white guardrail is independent of the steps. While the steps look like solid wood, most likely the are partially hollow, to receive a (steel?) structure within that keeps the steps horizontal as they are used over time. That technique applies to just about all of the wood steps presented here, many of which are big enough to hide the internal structure doing most of the work.
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Here the wood steps are created from the same wood as the adjacent wall, projecting from it without any obvious connection. It's safe to say that the supporting structure is hidden within the steps and behind the wall. Many local codes would require a rail on the right but somehow this stair exists without one.
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| These wood steps are more slender than the previous example, but a close look at their underside reveals steel plates in a T-section that are connected to the concrete wall. Nevertheless, from above the effect is the same as other stairs here, where the steps seem to float independently in midair. |
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Here the connection to the wall is more overt, as the stringer that holds the steps is exposed, albeit painted white to match the wall. Another look reveals...
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...how the glass wall, a few inches beyond the steps, basically acts as a guardrail. Only a slender handrail is then needed on the other side.
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| This example melds my previous ideabook on steel stairs with this one on cantilevered steps. A wood stair cantilevered from one wall is built in wood, making it ribbonlike, yet boxy. The glass guardrail reinforces the floating effect of this stair. |
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| Not all cantilevered stairs need be so dramatic, projecting the full width from a wall. This example features steps extending past a wall below the stair. The decision to do so might be related to the rough, stacked-stone wall or the need for usable space below the stair. Next, a straight-on look... |
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...shows that the cantilever is about one-third of the stair's width. The way the wood risers are designed to match the treads is well done. I would love to see the risers function as drawers to take advantage of the space underneath.
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Another example of a partial cantilever echoes the previous example, but here the risers match the white walls, not the steps. The thick wood of the treads reinforces the way they float, without the need for additional structure.
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But what about other materials? This stair's treads are made from translucent glass set into stainless steel framing. A T-section connected to brackets on the brick wall provides the support for the stair.
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A similar stair elsewhere in the same project as the previous example shows the simplicity of the T-shaped tread. In this case the structure continues into the wall. A look from below...
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...gives an idea of how these steps allow sunlight to filter down the different levels, an important consideration in urban living. If these steps were wood the sunlight would be severely diminished.
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Steel plates, like the ones in my previous ideabook, can also be configured for cantilevers. Here the bend takes place along the wall, creating treads without risers. This is a very simple and elegant that only requires a little bit of steel on the underside for reinforcing.
| This last example is included to illustrate that cantilevered stairs can also be used in exterior applications. These concrete steps project from a cast-in-place concrete wall, and they float above a wood deck. Here the structure is hidden in shadow, as most likely intended, but the effect is sublime. More: Artful Stairs — Continuity in Steel Level Changes Define Interior Spaces More inspiring architectural details |
Ideabook updated on Sept. 10, 2011.
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It is unfortunate that you can not design/build most of the stairs shown, here in Canada, due to the Building Code. In fact, I heard that they are planning to eliminate the use of open risers for the next version of the Building Code. :(