Loft Access by Tamir Addadi Architecture
British architect Tamir Addadi has sent us a project where he designed a contemporary staircase to replace an awkward ladder that previously was used to provide access to the loft space on the top floor of a Victorian house in London.
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Project description:
The client asked us to replace the ladder to the loft with permanent stairs in order to improve the connection of the loft to the rest of the house, as he decided to start using it as a study. The main challenge was to design a staircase for the narrow space of 140 cm x 90 cm.
We found it important to come up with a design solution that would help integrate the two differently designed floors – the wood-clad loft with its clean modern lines, and the carpeted Victorian lower floor with its engraved banisters – without disturbing each of their distinctive characters. We aimed to achieve this by designing three minimal and separate elements that function together as a staircase but remain abstract in shape, and can be seen almost as pieces of furniture that have been placed in the space – rather then a fixed feature of either the lower or upper floor.
One result of widening the opening to the loft was an increase in the amount of natural light coming in from the loft’s skylight into the originally quite dark landing of the lower floor. The narrowness of the stairs and the fact that they are slightly removed from the wall contribute to this effect, as they let some light in all around them. Improving the flow of light was also another way of strengthening the connection between the floors and making it more inviting to use the staircase and climb up into the loft.
Materials: 6mm welded and painted steel sheet, 50mm painted steel post, 20mm toughened glass.
Location: Islington, London
General contractor: Krzysztof Potocki
Metal work: Metalex
Structural engineer: HPS
Design: Tamir Addadi
Photography: Tamir Addadi
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Mark on 16 Dec 2010 at 11:49 am #
Love the stairs. The clean lines offer a great contrast to the victorian banister. Quick technical question though, are there no building codes that require a guardrail around the opening? If so, how did you get around them?
PABLO on 16 Dec 2010 at 12:37 pm #
Honestly, that technically would not be the easiest stairs to manage. Where should my right foot go as I ascend the stairs on the first turn. I see there would be room for my left foot, but since the tread is a triangle there is only a sliver of space for my right foot. You can forget about descending gracefully for sure.
Maira Evans on 16 Dec 2010 at 12:45 pm #
Very nice!
San on 16 Dec 2010 at 7:09 pm #
I agree with Paul & Mark about the safety and usability.
A spiral staircase would not have been more appropriate?
Anyway I like the use of folded sheet metal, the vertical tube as a handrail, and glass
Aquila on 16 Dec 2010 at 11:17 pm #
Great if left unused. Lovely to look at. Terrible if the paint starts to deteriorate after repeated use with shoes. descending is surely fire-station fashion – down the pole.
jamie on 17 Dec 2010 at 1:05 am #
whether you start on the right or left foot, you will reach a step on the curve that won’t have enough space for your foot. definitely a hazard with children around.
TW on 17 Dec 2010 at 5:33 am #
Not sure what all the whining is about – this is no more, no less dangerous than a spiral staircase. Both are awkward. Both have treads that won’t fit a full foot. Both are a slide hazard.
But sometimes you have little choice but to put one in.
At least this is beautiful. Most spirals are deadset UGLY.
Scott on 17 Dec 2010 at 8:36 am #
How did this pass building regulations.
SPG on 17 Dec 2010 at 4:23 pm #
Pretty solution. Like any good work of art it is simple and adds to it’s location. Concentration must be focused to use it.
pablo on 17 Dec 2010 at 8:46 pm #
@ TW
A spiral staircase would have an open tread design so at least you could plant your foot on a narrow tread. With this design, the vertical panels prevent your foot from stepping up with nothing more than the tips of your toes.
I agree that the design is aesthetically impressive but it really fails at its function.
Sharron Clemons on 21 Dec 2010 at 2:30 pm #
@ TW A spiral staircase would have an open tread design so at least you could plant your foot on a narrow tread. With this design, the vertical panels prevent your foot from stepping up with nothing more than the tips of your toes. I agree that the design is aesthetically impressive but it really fails at its function.
aj smith on 22 Dec 2010 at 9:13 am #
Not sure if it would pass safety inspection in US.
I think side by side steps with pole in the middle or on each side would be safer. Mimicking a ladder like steps. Things that look nice are not always easy to use.
Jean-Michel on 27 Dec 2010 at 8:56 am #
Several comments about a safety inspection…
Do you really think that the owner of this kind of house will see them one day? (in US or elsewhere) Same thing about a children around: the client certainly owns several houses, and an appropriate one for children if he has some. Right: beautiful to watch, not to use, that was only made to put in a book about design.
Robert on 29 Dec 2010 at 3:51 am #
To Pablo
Fail on function? It isn’t the primary staircase of the house – it comes to replace an aluminium folding ladder! Which is safer? Which is easier to use? And which option adds more to its surroundings?