7 Tips
My previous post talked about hallways and they can be designed as more than a space between rooms.
This post talks about stairs which provide access between rooms and between levels. This change in height allows for different drama and delight to occur.
The image is of my alteration to a 1970's house designed by Holger Henning Hansen a Danish Architect who immigrated to NZ and worked in Christchurch.
1 - Stair surface
The material used on the stair surface is often a continuation of the floor covering on each level. However, if the floor coverings are carpet it is okay and perhaps better to have the stair in a hard-wearing surface such as tile or timber.
2 - Handrail
Handrails need to be safe, durable and tactile. Wooden handrails feel nice and are warmer to the touch. Timber handrails can be damaged but if clear finished this becomes part of their patina over time. In this project the handrail is stainless steel. This should not be cold if the house is well insulated and heated. Stainless steel also has a nice silky feel.
and will look good forever.
3 - Balustrades
Balustrades can be made out of many materials, glass, steel, timber or simply timber framed and lined with plaster board as in this project. The key is to decide which design elements of the stair to elevate. There is a simplicity to the plaster board balustrade which allows the timber treads and stainless steel handrail to feature.
4- Lighting
Foot lights were very popular and are still used but there needs to be enough of them and they need to throw an even light in order to ensure the stair is evenly lit and safe. A simpler and possible more cost-effective option is to suspend a pendant fitting within the void above the stair as seen hear. This dandelion shade is very subtle against the white walls.
5 - NaturalLight
Natural light can be brought into a stair through windows and skylights. These apertures also allow views and sense of connection to the outside. Skylights can give a view of the sky or in this case the canopy of a mature tree. The windows don't need to be large and as in this project they can allow a view which is a thin slice of the garden. The roughly square shape of the skylight and the thin rectangle of the window work really well together.
6 - Colour
A stair can be a space where colour is added or simply kept white to allow the other design elements to shine through.
7 - Art
The high walls to a stair provide plenty scope for art. The blue flora picture, a piece of 70's inspired fabric and references the house design. The combination of garden views, flora art and dandelion light was a deliberate decision to bring the garden into the house.
Need help with a house alteration, particularly a character or mid century modern house come talk to me.
