12 Most Creative Indoor Staircases

[Potemkin]

http://www.oddee.com/item_96905.aspx
12 Most Creative Indoor Staircases

Published on Today 12/12/2009 under Misc (http://www.oddee.com/default_0_82_datetime.aspx) - by Gracie Murano - 22,548 views

http://www.oddee.com/_media/imgs/oddee/top1.gif Realisation Staircase

http://208.106.250.72/_media/imgs/articles2/a96905_6-Metal.jpg Created by HSH, this modern staircase in one of the contemporary homes in Liben, Prague, is definitely one of the most unique and thinnest staircases we've seen. With a concept of a delicate rippling ribbon, this staircase is constructed from a 10mm thick metal sheet. Each of the adjoining steps are connected with a slanting external side beam that forms a bracket attached in the wall, thus it is sturdy enough to carry weights. Maybe those overweight individuals might fear from stepping unto this staircase; however, since each bracket of the stair is constructed as a firm frame, it shouldn't be a problem. (Link (http://www.homedosh.com/a-staircase-in-liben-prague-a-modern-and-unique-staircase/#more-2019) | Photo (http://www.hsharchitekti.cz/index.php?lang=en&page=project&name=staircase-in-liben-prague))


http://www.oddee.com/_media/imgs/oddee/top2.gif Slide Staircase

http://208.106.250.72/_media/imgs/articles2/a96905_10-Slide.jpg At the request of his children, London architect Alex Michaelis installed a slide next to the staircase in their new eco-friendly dream home. Here we see one of his children throwing caution to the wind and diving head first down the slide. But it's not just the kids having fun: Michaelis says, adding that even grown-ups can't resist skipping the stairs. "We've been known after a big dinner party to use the slide.” (Link (http://i.gizmodo.com/5209938/staircase-slide-combo-built-by-the-coolest-parents-ever))


http://www.oddee.com/_media/imgs/oddee/top3.gif Suspended Staircase

http://208.106.250.72/_media/imgs/articles2/a96905_4-Floating2.jpg Now, that is an awesome staircase! This creative "floating" stairs were designed by Florence architect Guido Ciompi for The Gray Hotel in Milan, Italy. (Link (http://www.neatorama.com/2008/11/12/amazing-floating-stairs-at-the-gray-hotel-milan/))


http://www.oddee.com/_media/imgs/oddee/top4.gif Samlot Staircase

http://208.106.250.72/_media/imgs/articles2/a96905_5-Dangerous.jpg From the looks of these stairs, created by Spanish designer Jordi Vayreda, you might think only cats could make it to the top. They certainly don't look like they'd support the weight of a human. But, Vayreda confirms that they can support 200 kilograms (over 440 pounds). “Steel is the material which we use to construct the staircases, 100 mm thick and each of them is welded to a 250 mm thick beam." (Link (http://www.jordivayreda.com/blog/nggallery/page-30/album-2/gallery-6))

[Potemkin]

http://www.oddee.com/_media/imgs/oddee/top5.gif Glass Staircase

http://208.106.250.72/_media/imgs/articles2/a96905_3-Glass.jpg Check out these glass stairs. Forget about scuff marks and smudges, these are so cool! (Link (http://www.greatinteriordesign.com/interior-design/staircase-design-inspiration-move-between-different-levels-of-elevation/))


http://www.oddee.com/_media/imgs/oddee/top6.gif Staircase at XXS House

http://208.106.250.72/_media/imgs/articles2/a96905_11-Strange.jpg If good things come in small packages, then the eXtra-eXtra-Small House is as good as it gets. The dimensions of the XXS house, located in a small historic town in Slovenia, were dictated by law to fall within the measurements of the preexisting house on the site, leaving just 43m-sq (approx 460ft-sq) of potential space. But the house successfully incorporates all the necessities.Architect Dekleva Gregoric's design was motivated by efficiency of both space and materials. While the staircase looks a bit precarious, the design required remarkably little material and still functions as a regular set of stairs. Of course, skipping steps is not recommended. (Link (http://www.inhabitat.com/2006/08/11/xxs-house/))


http://www.oddee.com/_media/imgs/oddee/top7.gif Bookshelf Staircase

http://208.106.250.72/_media/imgs/articles2/a96905_2-bookcase.jpgTom Sloan at Levitate Architects came up with a neat solution to a storage problem in this London Victorian apartment: He created a “secret'staircase”, hidden from the main reception room, to access a new loft bedroom lit by roof lights. (Link (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/02/bigger-storage-library-stair.php))


http://www.oddee.com/_media/imgs/oddee/top8.gif Floating Staircase

http://208.106.250.72/_media/imgs/articles2/a96905_12-Two.jpg Those two amazing sets of stairs are from the Didden Village project by Dutch architectural firm MVRDV. The project itself is a rooftop addition in Rotterdam, Netherlands. (Link (http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/13/awesome-floating-staircases/))

[Potemkin]

http://www.oddee.com/_media/imgs/oddee/top9.gif Space-saving Staircase

http://208.106.250.72/_media/imgs/articles2/a96905_9-Tight.jpg There are lots of space-saving stair designs out there for people living in super tight spaces. Normally, you have a choice: aesthetically pleasing, or affordable. In this case, creative Swedish architects at Stockholm-based TAFArchitect Office got to have both. These steep and narrow stairs occupy a space hardly bigger than a closet, and are made of economical pine boxes. (Link (http://www.tafarkitektkontor.se/projects.asp?id=107))


http://www.oddee.com/_media/imgs/oddee/top10.gif Rolling Staircase

http://208.106.250.72/_media/imgs/articles2/a96905_7-Unusual.jpg The 'Rolling', an unusual staircase design by Roberto Semprini for Edilco, draws inspiration from the ergonomic forms of natural rocks smoothed by water. The stairs look like giant river stones, but they are actually concrete blocks polished to perfection. This spiralstaircase appears to lead to nowhere as it was installed as a part of Milan's exposition aimed to show that decor objects can be artworks. (Link (http://www.captivatist.com/))


http://www.oddee.com/_media/imgs/oddee/top11.gif Hanging Staircase

http://208.106.250.72/_media/imgs/articles2/a96905_8-Hanging.jpgWe often use the phrase "tread lightly"; Anglo-Canadian architects Christopher Blencowe and Judith Levine take it literally with these treads that don't even touch. It is an interesting solution to a standard problem in renovations and additions- do to try and make everything the same or make a statement about the addition being of a different time? (Link (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/03/hanging-stair-battersea.php))


http://www.oddee.com/_media/imgs/oddee/top12.gif Foldable Staircase

http://208.106.250.72/_media/imgs/articles2/a96905_1-FoldableStairs.jpg This foldable staircase was design by industrial designer Aaron Tang. Though it basically looks and functions as a staircase, Aaron calls it a ‘redefined door' as it is “an element of a wall that allowed passageway to another environment when opened and restricted passageway when closed.” Using just hinges and pistons, thestaircase can fold up a wall to expand space on the lower level or restrict access to the upper level. Aaron's staircase is designed to be closed or opened from upstairs and downstairs. (Link (http://www.home-designing.com/2009/05/foldable-stairs-industrial-designer))

[Ought Six]

The ones that are too steep and/or have no handrails are deathtraps.

I thought that the bookcase staircase was a great solution to packing as many books into a small space as possible.

[blue gecko]

I'm with Ought. I like the bookcase stairwell but the others are just creepy, bad Feng Shui (though the slide looks like fun)

[Ought Six]

Can you imagine what it would do to a person if they tripped and fell down some of those sheet metal stairs? You would be hitting nothing but metal edges all the way down. I guess 'art' is more important to the designers than trivial considerations like maiming and killing people.

[CanadaSue]

Yeah, I really enjoy functional pieces looking good but most of those look dangerous in one way or another. The polished concrete - with what appear to be rounded edges? I can see a toddler going down head first now...

Like several others, I like the bookcase staircase, though.

[rb.]

I could handle the book/staircase and the slide one. The rest I get a rolling stomach just from looking at them. Could you imagine moving a piece of furniture up them? :eek:

[CanadaSue]

I didn't even think about moving furniture - LOL

[LvDemWings]

I like the river rock staircase but I would give the edges a strip of Phillyclad so I didn't slide off.