“Compelling.” That’s how one of our judges characterized this stair, which manages to embody both reassuring solidity and airy weightlessness. Architect Mahdad Saniee specified beefy maple treads—each laminated from two boards, to resist twisting and cupping—and supported them at the wall with hidden steel hangers. “We wanted to make them look like they are floating,” he says, “so they sit away from the wall by about half an inch.” The stainless steel rods that seem to pierce the treads’ opposite ends are, in fact, joined by threaded couplings hidden within the thickness of the wood. The result is an assembly whose stiffness underfoot defies expectation, Saniee says. “It feels very solid, much more solid than average stairs.” With the rods working in tension from above and compression below, “it’s very hard for those pieces of wood to move.” The interplay of wood and steel makes abstract reference to a Steinway concert grand, Saniee notes. “It’s taking elements of a piano and playing with them.” A gently curved soffit in the ceiling reinforces the visual rhyme. The jury admired the effect but was equally impressed with the technical acumen required to achieve it. “The rhythm established by the vertical rods sets up a rigorous discipline that works with the intricacies of stair dimensions,” observed one judge. “That’s really hard to do.”

Mid-sized island style tile and custom-shaped lap pool house photo in Miami

Example of a mid-sized minimalist backyard tile and rectangular lap hot tub design in San Francisco

Example of a large transitional master gray tile, white tile and ceramic tile marble floor drop-in bathtub design in Atlanta with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, gray walls, a vessel sink and granite countertops

Drop-in bathtub - large transitional master gray tile, white tile and ceramic tile marble floor drop-in bathtub idea in Atlanta with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, gray walls, granite countertops and a vessel sink

Drop-in bathtub - large transitional master gray tile, white tile and ceramic tile marble floor drop-in bathtub idea in Atlanta with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, gray walls, a vessel sink and granite countertops

Large transitional master beige tile, white tile and ceramic tile marble floor freestanding bathtub photo in Atlanta with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink and quartz countertops

Inspiration for a large transitional master beige tile, white tile and ceramic tile marble floor freestanding bathtub remodel in Atlanta with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink and quartz countertops

Freestanding bathtub - large transitional master beige tile, white tile and ceramic tile marble floor freestanding bathtub idea in Atlanta with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink and quartz countertops

Freestanding bathtub - large transitional master beige tile, white tile and ceramic tile marble floor freestanding bathtub idea in Atlanta with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink and quartz countertops

Photo Credit: David Cannon; Design: Michelle Mentzer Instagram: @newriverbuildingco
Inspiration for a mid-sized cottage formal and open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room remodel in Atlanta with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and a tile fireplace

Michael Jacob
Example of a classic formal and enclosed dark wood floor living room design in St Louis with gray walls, a standard fireplace, no tv and a tile fireplace

Dino Tonn
Large trendy formal and open concept marble floor living room photo in Phoenix with a two-sided fireplace, a tile fireplace, beige walls and a wall-mounted tv

Jeff Herr Photography
This is an example of a cottage tile screened-in porch design in Atlanta with a roof extension.

Inspiration for a transitional formal dark wood floor living room remodel in Portland Maine with gray walls, a standard fireplace and no tv

Seura Outdoor Tv
This is an example of a traditional tile porch design in Boston with a fire pit and a roof extension.

d randolph foulds photography
This is an example of a rustic tile screened-in porch design in Boston with a roof extension.

Brian Dunham Photography brdunham.com
Inspiration for a mid-sized mediterranean courtyard tile patio remodel in Phoenix with a fire pit and no cover

Patio kitchen - large contemporary backyard tile patio kitchen idea in Vancouver with a roof extension