Eight homes where staircases fulfil additional functions
For our latest lookbook, we’ve selected eight homes with multi-purpose staircases that double up as seating, storage and in one case even a climbing wall. More
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BoND’s PatBo Miami boutique features soft curves and floral touches
New York studio BoND has created a “feminine, organic” interior for Brazilian brand PatBo’s store in Miami Design District, complete with a dramatic sweeping staircase.
The two-level retail space was designed by BoND following the studio’s work on the PatBo headquarters in Manhattan, which opened last year.
The ground floor space at PatBo’s Miami store features tall ceilings, terrazzo flooring and sculptural displaysThe team took a similarly soft, feminine approach in the Miami flagship, pairing white and pale pink with rich woods and brass accents.
“The new store is an artful and site-specific reinterpretation of the feminine, organic aesthetic that is synonymous with the brand’s stores in Brazil,” said BoND.
A ribbon-like balustrade follows the staircase up through the store, circling oversized silk flowers by Hana FormEntering under a dramatic arched canopy, customers find themselves within a tall, bright space featuring terrazzo flooring, geometric wooden display plinths and brass rails.Hints of green marble can be spied in custom furniture pieces, as well as the stair treads and risers hidden behind a solid, ribbon-like guardrail.
An arched opening leads through to bright coral-coloured fitting roomsAn arched opening beside the register leads into a bright, coral-coloured changing area, where terracotta tiles cover the floor.
The staircase glides up the curved back wall of the store, and rises through a gap in the upper floor plate, around which the balustrade circles back on itself.
Darker woods and carpet create a more intimate atmosphere on the upper level”A winding white and green marble staircase serves as a focal point of the space connecting visitors to the second-floor salon and dressing area,” said the studio.
Curved wood panels and caramel-coloured carpet provide a more intimate atmosphere upstairs, exaggerated by the lower ceiling height.
The warmly lit fitting rooms on the upper level are lined with curved wood panelsThe brass railings continue, whereas the coral fitting rooms are swapped for wood-lined chambers with curved corners and warm lighting.
“An overarching geometry of soft curves is a running thread that ties all spaces together,” the studio said.BoND uses pink scaffolding at New York “embassy” for fashion brand PatBo
Furniture pieces including Frank Gehry’s Wiggle chair, a green marble coffee table and a curved grey sofa form a seating area for customers to relax while they shop.
Overhead are a pair of oversized silk flowers by artist Hana Form, which also appear on the ground floor suspended through the staircase void.
Green marble appears behind the facade, as well as on the staircase and custom furniture insideBoND also created a facade of pale pink wooden slats to help the building to stand out in the Miami Design District, where brands are encouraged to get creative with their frontages.
A Louis Vuitton store wrapped in a diamond-patterned facade by Marcel Wanders and a Kengo Kuma-designed block of sculptural buildings are among other examples.
BoND wrapped the store exterior in pale pink wood slats to help it stand out in the Miami Design DistrictBoND was founded by Noam Dvir and Daniel Rauchwerger, whose studio has also completed a bold yellow scheme for a men’s apparel store in New York.
The firm’s other projects include the renovation of a mid-century Sears Catalog kit house in Fire Island Pines and a Manhattan hair salon featuring wooden frames and moveable styling stations.
The photography is by Studio Pyg.Read more: More
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Mexico City boutique by MYT+GLVDK features double-conical staircase
Mexico City studio MYT+GLVDK has designed a concept store in the south of the Mexican capital, featuring a staircase with both concave and convex portions beneath a vaulted ceiling.
Uncommon Ground is a high-end fashion and accessories boutique situated in the Artz Pedregal shopping mall, close to the city’s southern periphery.
The Uncommon Ground boutique is divided into a main floor and a mezzanine level at the backMYT+GLVDK, led by Andrés Mier y Terán and Regina Galvanduque, was commissioned to design the architecture, furnishings and interiors for the store that carries brands including Courrèges, Maison Kitsuné, Ami Paris, Officine Générale and Moscot.
“The hallmark of Uncommon Ground is to display the latest tendencies in clothing and accessories based on a dedicated edition of trends and themes that capture the air du temps of the season,” said Mier y Terán and Galvanduque.
The two levels are connected by a double-conical staircaseThe duo decided to create multiple display areas across the 246-square-metre main floor and a 40-square-metre mezzanine at the back.These two levels are connected by a circular staircase with concentric treads that splay outward in a semi-circle on its lower half and are set inward like an amphitheatre on the top half.
A vaulted ceiling comprising tubes wrapped in recycled cowhide arches over the spaceBeneath the mezzanine, the conical form of the upper steps is expressed as bands of brushed brass, which are reflected in golden mirrored panels across the adjoining wall and low ceiling.
More semi-circular steps below form a display for shoes within this back room, where other garments are hung in niches on either side.
Beneath the mezzanine, the staircase is expressed as a series of brushed-brass bands above a stepped shoe displayThe main floor, where the ceiling is double-height, is covered by a vaulted ceiling made up of ribbed elements wrapped in recycled cowhide.
In the centre of the space, a structural column and diagonal beam are incorporated “a focal point that continues with the rhythm of geometric shapes and lends character to the overall concept” according to the designers.MYT+GLVDK completes eclectic food court Cocina Abierta in Mexico City
A colour scheme of yellow, beige and terracotta is applied across the architectural elements and the furniture, which is also designed in cylindrical and arc shapes.
“The use of clean lines, tubular segments and curves can be seen in every direction as an organic sequence of impressive visual strength,” said MYT+GLVDK.
Furniture throughout the store is designed in cylindrical and arc shapesThe lighting scheme includes a series of light boxes placed within display niches on both levels, to highlight the products, as well as track and spotlights that give the entire store a warm glow.
The Uncommon Ground logo is illuminated vertically on the central column and horizontally above the fully glazed storefront.
The boutique is located inside the Artz Pedregal shopping mall in the south of Mexico CityAlso in Artz Pedregal, MYT+GLVDK previously designed the Cocina Abierta food court that takes cues from Japanese and Mexican design traditions.
Elsewhere in the city, the studio recently completed the interiors of fast-casual restaurant Órale Milanga, where exposed concrete walls are covered in wavy green metal mesh.
The photography is by Alfonso de Béjar.Read more: More
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Red staircase anchors Diesel store in Miami Design District
Fashion brand Diesel has debuted a retail design concept at its store in the Miami Design District, featuring raw metal surfaces and a red lacquered spiral staircase.
Designed under the creative direction of Glenn Martens, who joined the brand in 2020, the industrial-style store is intended to reflect “the brand’s signature bold attitude”.
Diesel’s new store in Miami Design District debuts an industrial-style retail concept”Envisioned as a fresh, powerful expression of Diesel’s design edge and identity, the store is anchored by a glass facade framed in signature Diesel red with the brand’s red-and-white Biscotto logo,” said the design team.
Red was also applied selectively to interior elements, including a statement spiral staircase and a wall behind at the back of the store.
The store’s focal point is a red lacquered-metal spiral staircaseThe helical lacquered-metal form has solid balustrades and steps with a diamond-plate texture for added grip.It leads up to a second level where another red wall with floating shelves is used for product displays.
The staircase has solid balustrades and steps with diamond-plate texture for added gripAcross the two floors, the 1,900-square-foot (177-square-metre) store presents the full Diesel collection.
Bags, shoes, accessories and fragrances are presented on the lower level, while areas dedicated to denim, ready-to-wear apparel and footwear can be found upstairs.
The upper level also has a red display wall that stands out against the concrete and metallic surfacesExposed concrete floors and ceilings, and walls covered in riveted raw metal panels and mirrors create a monochromatic backdrop that allows the red elements to stand out.
“Throughout the space, minimalist red leather couches and streamlined silver fixtures create a strong sense of structure with a touch of softness,” said the team.Space-age design informs Nodaleto shoe store by Rafael de Cárdenas
Vitrines for displaying accessories on the ground floor sit atop crinkled metal bases, though the sales counter opposite is flat and sleek.
Both levels have floor-to-ceiling glass across the street facade, and at night, fluorescent lighting throughout the store gives off a harsh white glow.
The ground floor features vitrines atop crinkled metal basesFollowing the Miami store unveiling, the interior concept will be rolled out to global Diesel locations.
The brand was founded in 1978 by Italian entrepreneur Renzo Rosso, who still serves as its president.
The Diesel store joins many luxury fashion brands in Miami Design DistrictMiami Design District is home to the stores of many luxury fashion labels, each of which has exterior and interior treatments designed to reflect its distinct brand identity.
Other examples include Louis Vuitton’s menswear space, which Dutch studio Marcel Wanders wrapped in a patterned facade informed by the brand’s monogram, and a Christian Louboutin boutique that’s covered in tree bark.
The photography is courtesy of Diesel.Read more: More
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Eight closed staircases in tactile materials and sculptural shapes
For our latest lookbook, we’ve gathered eight stylish closed staircases, ranging from a winding wooden spiral staircase to a light-filled “stairway to heaven”.
Closed staircases – stairs that have been framed so that the threads and risers aren’t visible from the side – have become a popular search term on Dezeen’s Pinterest board.
While they create heavier volumes in a room, when done well closed staircases can add a monumental, almost sculptural feel to an interior.
In the eight examples below, architects and interior designers used the style in different creative ways to turn staircases into statement pieces made from materials including steel, patterned wood and micro cement.
This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring “bookshelf-wealth” interiors, living spaces with metal furniture and interiors punctuated by structural columns.Photo by Alex BaxterBarn at the Ahof, the Netherlands, by Julia van Beuningen
Architectural designer Julia van Beuningen created a spiral staircase made from plywood for this barn conversion in the Netherlands. The beautifully patterned staircase sits at the heart of the floorplan and contrasts against the barn’s rough-hewn wooden beams and pillars.
“It’s something you either love or hate, but it’s definitely a statement,” Van Beuningen told Dezeen.
Find out more about Barn at the Ahof ›
Photo by Gokul Rao KadamClermont House, India, by FADD Studio
This apartment inside a high-rise development in Bangalore comprises two flats that were fused, with an expressive closed staircase connecting them.
“It has a sculptural feel with the addition of multiple curves, carved into each riser’s deep red marble,” the studio said of the staircase, which was covered in white micro cement that has a soft sheen finish.
Find out more about Clermont House ›
Photo is by Noortje KnulstMatryoshka House, the Netherlands, by Shift Architecture Urbanism
A steel-clad volume encases an electric-blue staircase and runs along the side of the living space in this Dutch house that has been converted into two apartments.
The volume conceals a toilet, storage space and kitchen equipment, creating a clean and simple kitchen interior to which the colour adds a playful feel.
Find out more about Matryoshka House ›
Photo is by Pierce ScourfieldParis apartment, France, by Johanna Amatoury
Gently curved plaster forms in soft white hues define this Parisian apartment, including the staircase in its entryway.
Interior designer Johanna Amatoury aimed to create a holiday-house feel in the home, which was designed as an homage to the architectural vernacular of Greek islands.
Find out more about the Paris apartment ›
Photo by The IngallsAustin Proper Hotel, USA, by Kelly Wearstler
Interior designer Kelly Wearstler gave the Austin Proper Hotel in Texas her signature bohemian touch, as seen on the closed staircase she created as an eye-catching centrepiece.
Wearstler chose to work with white oak wood to create the striking staircase, which has a ziggurat design that lets it function as a display case for a collection of glazed earthenware pots and vases.
Find out more about the Austin Proper Hotel ›
Photo by Brotherton LockNithurst Farm, UK, by Adam Richards
Described as a “stairway to heaven”, British architect Adam Richards created this staircase based on one in the film A Matter of Life and Death, in which a pilot gets a second chance at life after a crash.
It ends by facing a full-height window, creating a striking light effect that makes the staircase live up to its name.
Find out more about Nithurst Farm ›
Photo courtesy of Rubén Dario Kleimeer and Lagado ArchitectsWorkhome-Playhome, The Netherlands, by Lagado Architects
This townhouse in Rotterdam was revamped by its owners, the founders of studio Lagado Architects, to create more versatile living spaces.
Called Workhome-Playhome, the home has a closed staircase in an eye-catching baby-blue colour that matches other touches of colour in the house, including its bright green kitchen chairs.
Find out more about Workhome-Playhome ›Tommy Rand House, Denmark, by Tommy Rand
Perhaps the most monumental of the staircases in this roundup, the spiral staircase designed by architect Tommy Rand for his own house in Denmark was constructed from 630 pieces of CNC-cut plywood.
“It is very beautiful from all angles,” said Rand. “It is like a snail house, which opens up more and more as you go up to the first floor.”
This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring “bookshelf-wealth” interiors, living spaces with metal furniture and interiors punctuated by structural columns.Read more: More
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Dezeen’s top 10 staircases of 2023
Continuing our 2023 review, we have selected 10 striking staircases published on Dezeen this year, from prefabricated plywood steps at a Cornish home to a colourful set for an opera in a Swiss theatre.
Architects and designers have continued to find clever solutions to travelling on foot from one storey to another in 2023 by creating staircases that are both beautiful and functional.
Ranging from the spectacular to the space-saving, here are Dezeen’s top 10 staircases of 2023:
Photo by Purnesh Dev NikhanjRibbon House, India, by Studio Ardete
An angular balustrade with tilting black rails twists around sweeping concrete steps to form the staircase at Ribbon House, a home in Punjab with an equally sculptural exterior.Architecture office Studio Ardete placed open living spaces next to the staircase on each floor to create lobby-like communal areas on the house’s different levels.
Find out more about Ribbon House ›
Photo by Lorenzo ZandriHouse by the Sea, UK, by Of Architecture
House by the Sea is the home of a surfer-and-artist couple in Newquay, Cornwall, that was designed to be “simple, robust and utilitarian”.
For the interior, London studio Of Architecture inserted prefabricated plywood steps leading to a cosy mezzanine level tucked beneath the dwelling’s sloping roof.
Find out more about House by the Sea ›
Photo by Schnepp RenouHaus 1, Germany, by MVRDV and Hirschmüller Schindele Architekten
A bright yellow, zigzagging staircase juts out from the facade of the Haus 1 building in Berlin, creating the appearance of a striking crane and providing a beacon for approaching visitors.
Dutch studio MVRDV worked with local studio Hirschmüller Schindele Architekten to design Haus 1, which forms part of the city’s Atelier Gardens redevelopment.
Find out more about Haus 1 ›
Photo by Pezo von EllrichshausenLuna House, Chile, by Mauricio Pezo and Sofia von Ellrichshausen
Brutalist-style spiral staircases connect the storeys of Luna House, an expansive geometric complex in Chile comprised of 12 individual buildings.
Chilean studio Pezo von Ellrichshausen designed the stairs and the majority of the structure in reinforced concrete, which is highly textured thanks to imprints left behind by wooden formwork.
Find out more about Luna House ›
Photo by Paolo Abate.Rigoletto set design, Switzerland, by Pierre Yovanovitch
French interior designer Pierre Yovanovitch embedded moving, curved walls within an undulating staircase that stretched the full width of the stage for a production of Giuseppe Verdi’s opera Rigoletto at Theatre Basel.
Bathed in coloured light, the flexible walls created a neutral set for the performers to balance the play’s complex plot, according to the designer.
Find out more about this staircase ›
Photo by James Leng (also top)Hairpin House, USA, by Studio J Jih and Figure
This Boston house was renovated to revolve around a sculptural “hairpin” staircase informed by the twists and turns of mountain roads.
Designed by American firms Studio J Jih and Figure, the white oak stairs were created to increase the home’s useable floor area by 20 per cent.
Find out more about Hairpin House ›
Photo by Alex Shoots BuildingsHouse in Pernek, Slovakia, by Ksa Studený
This home in the village of Pernek, Slovakia, was designed in the shape of an isosceles trapezoid, mirroring its longitudinal profile.
Architecture studio Ksa Studený positioned a chunky white staircase over a slanted slab of concrete to divide the interior space.
Find out more about this house ›
Photo by Jim StephensonThe Arbor House, Scotland, by Brown & Brown
A spiral staircase made from birch plywood winds into the dining area at The Arbor House by Brown & Brown, located in a conservation area in Aberdeen.
The studio assembled the stairs over three weeks, with timber treads individually cut and hand-layered to form a smooth curve.
Find out more about The Arbor House ›
Photo by Gokul Rao KadamSNN Clermont residential tower, India, by FADD Studio
Indian practice FADD Studio renovated two apartments within the SNN Clermont residential tower in Bangalore to create a fused multi-generational home.
The studio took cues from the curves of caterpillars when creating a swooping staircase, which connects the two flats and features deep red marble risers.
Find out more about these apartments ›
Photo courtesy of The Conran ShopThe Conran Shop, Japan, by Keiji Ashizawa
Japanese designer Keiji Ashizawa created interiors for The Conran Shop in Tokyo to reflect the inside of someone’s home.
The store’s mezzanine floor is accessible by a minimalist geometric staircase featuring a handrail made from black paper cords.
Find out more about The Conran Shop ›Read more: More
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Eight sculptural wooden staircases that bring warmth to the home
Our latest lookbook features eight sculptural staircases made of wood that make a statement and bring warmth to apartments from Hong Kong to Boston.
Often the organizing principle in the planning of any space, a staircase can either blend in or stand out.
The eight gathered in this lookbook lean into the latter – showcasing both the structural abilities of wood like larch, birch and plywood and demonstrating how circulation need not be boring.
From a completely pre-fabricated staircase in a Boston apartment to a plywood spiral staircase twisting from the loft of a renovated barn in the Netherlands, these sculptural stairs create a visually striking centrepiece, as well as a fun way to traverse a house.
This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring rustic Italian interiors, autumnal bedrooms and show-stealing dining room tables.Photo by James LengHairpin House, USA, Studio J Jih and Figure
Located in Boston’s South End neighbourhood, this historic townhouse renovation sees a four-storey interior plan wrapped around a white oak staircase that spirals around a 40-foot-high (12-metre-high) atrium.
“Aptly named Hairpin House, the project takes the tight, unpredictable, and ultimately poetic switchback turns of a mountain road as inspiration for the overall renovation – and in particular a new unravelling central stair,” said the design team.
Find out more about Hairpin House ›
Photo by Jonathan LeijonhufvudCape Drive Residence, Hong Kong, Linehouse
Just a short walk from the beaches of Hong Kong’s south side, this three-storey house channels “coastal essence” through natural materials and light, Chinese studio Linehouse told Dezeen.
An “easy flow” was also imbued into the design, created in part by a timber stairwell that’s tucked to the side and – save for a white metallic screen – is open to the living spaces.
Find out more about Cape Drive Residence ›
Photo by Frank FrancesMass Timber House, USA, Schiller Projects
According to design studio Schiller Projects, this renovated carriage home in Brooklyn is the borough’s first single-family residence that uses mass timber construction.
Besides repurposed wooden elements like timber panels and floorboards used for the project, the house features a pre-fabricated glue-laminated timber (glulam) staircase that can be completely disassembled.
Find out more about Mass Timber House ›
Photo by Alex BaxterBarn at the Ahof, the Netherlands, Julia van Beuningen
Architectural designer Julia Van Beuningen converted this Gelderland barn into a holiday home complete with a spiral staircase made out of plywood at the heart of the floor plan, which contrasts the more rustic materials of the surrounding building.
“This is very different and very unusual in a barn like this,” said Van Beuningen. “It’s something you either love or hate, but it’s definitely a statement.”
Find out more about Barn at the Ahof ›
Photo by Eric PetschekCarroll Gardens Townhouse, USA, Starling Architecture and Emily Lindberg Design
New York studios Starling Architecture and Emily Lindberg Design merged a two-family dwelling into one for the owner’s growing family.
White oak running throughout the two units unifies the project, which includes the addition of a new wooden staircase covered by a slated screen made of the same material.
Find out more about Carroll Gardens Townhouse ›
Photo by Jim StephensonStoke Newington loft, UK, Whittaker Parsons
Architecture firm Whittaker Parsons was tasked with adding a loft to a house in Stoke Newington, London, as well as updating spaces throughout the lower floors.
With efficiency and quality in mind, the studio used prefabricated structural insulated panels (SIP) to construct the new loft. The space is accessed by a spiral staircase made of larch that’s topped with a skylight.
Find out more about Stoke Newington loft ›
Photo is by Tim CrokerDragon Flat, UK, Tsuruta Architects
A floating timber staircase features in this flat in London, which is outfitted with walls CNC-etched with images of peonies, dragons, bats and the Thames.
The central staircase allows light to filter into the kitchen and living room below, while solid timber bricks act as landings on either side.
Find out more about Dragon Flat ›
Photo by Rory GardinerElsternwick penthouse, Australia, Office Alex Nicholls
The timber staircases in this Melbourne house were integrated into its “library spine” an organizing corridor that contains the family’s collection of books, art and artefacts.
“From a practical standpoint, it allowed everything to be easily accessible and displayed but it also helps to draw people through the apartment and celebrate the two staircases to the roof garden at either end,” said Office Alex Nicholls founder Alex Nicholls.
Find out more about Elsternwick penthouse ›
This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring rustic Italian interiors, autumnal bedrooms and show-stealing dining room tables.Read more: More
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Linehouse adds tactile textures and warm tones to coastal home in Hong Kong
Chinese studio Linehouse has designed the interiors of Cape Drive Residence in Hong Kong to respond to the surrounding coastal views.
Located on the south side of Hong Kong Island, the three-floor home is a short walk from the beaches of Stanley and Chung Hom Kok and has panoramic ocean views to the east and west from its elevated position.
“The design harnesses a costal essence through materiality, light and an easy flow, seamlessly connecting the interior and exterior spaces,” Linehouse explained.
The home is located on the south side of Hong Kong Island with expansive ocean viewsAn open living area on the ground floor connects to the kitchen and dining space while an internal courtyard was inserted between theses areas and includes a centralised tree and surrounding seating.
The living area extends to the main terrace with full-height windows that frame the expansive ocean views.Clad in stone, the terrace forms a sunken seating area with pockets of greenery surrounding it, which shelters the sea wind.
A timber staircase framed by a shuttered screen connects all three floorsWhite timber louvers were used as a continuous ceiling plane in the living area which also extends to the terrace as a canopy.
“The design of the home reflects the relaxed and laidback lifestyle of a beach setting,” said the studio. “Warm tones, tactile surfaces and textures, a clean and simple material palette, and a seamless flow between inside and out.”
An outdoor terrace was clad in stone with a sunken seating area”Cape Drive Residence offers the fitting backdrop for coastal living,” it continued.
A warm oak timber staircase was punctuated by a shuttered screen that runs vertically through all levels of the home while arranging more private areas such as bathing and dressing.Linehouse designs Hong Kong guesthouse to evoke the comfort of home
The whitewashed timber material of the screen echoes the coastal location and reflects light through the spaces.
A white metal rod screen can be slide open at each level, offering transparency and light through different spaces.
An internal courtyard was inserted between the dining and kitchen areaBedrooms, a second living area and a study were placed on the upper two levels, all with coastal views.
The same whitewashed timber material used on the shuttered screen was adopted to form storage, seating and shelving in these private spaces, providing a textural contrast to the hand-raked plaster walls.
The bathrooms add a fresh moment of colour into the space, using patterned tiles handmade in Portugal by Elisa Passino.
Shelving and storage spaces were created from whitewashed timber materialLinehouse was founded by Alex Mok and Briar Hickling in 2013 and the duo went on to win emerging interior designer of the year at the 2019 Dezeen Awards.
The studio has recently completed a guesthouse in Hong Kong that evokes the comfort of home and a Mediterranean restaurant in Shanghai with natural, tactile materials.
The photography is by Jonathan Leijonhufvud.
Project credits:
Design: LinehouseDesign principal: Briar HicklingDesign team: Ricki-Lee Van Het Wout, Cindy PoohRead more: More
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Figure and Studio J Jih perform “stair gymnastics” inside Boston rowhouse
American firms Studio J Jih and Figure have overhauled a historic house in Boston, which now revolves around a sculptural “hairpin” staircase influenced by the twists and turns of mountain roads.
Locally based Studio J Jih and San Francisco studio Figure collaborated on the transformation of the four-storey rowhouse in the city’s South End.
Studio J Jih and Figure have renovated Hairpin HouseThe owner, a Boston native, desired more useable space in the 15-foot-wide (4.6-metre) home, which was only achievable by entirely reorganising the floor plan.
The hefty existing staircase took up a third of the building, so it was removed and redesigned to be more efficient and help define the remaining programme while adhering to Boston’s strict building codes.
A new staircase cuts a diagonal path through the houseThe result is a new white oak staircase that “unspools diagonally through the home” around a 40-foot-high (12-metre) atrium, increasing the useable floor area by 20 per cent.“Aptly named Hairpin House, the project takes the tight, unpredictable, and ultimately poetic switchback turns of a mountain road as inspiration for the overall renovation – and in particular a new unravelling central stair,” said the team.
Lime plaster was applied to the walls throughout the homeOther rooms were adjusted around this new element so that the most-used ones – like the dining room, living room and primary bedroom – were increased in size while ancillary spaces such as the foyer, powder room and bathroom shrunk.
“We performed a sort of stair gymnastics where each flight was distinct from the others, because of its necessary interface with the unique programmatic and circulatory conditions on each floor,” said James Leng, partner at Figure.
Windows on the south facade were enlarged by 200 per cent to let in more light”Like how a mountain road derives its form from the slope it rests on, this central stair was truly shaped contingently through the pressures of its interior context,” he added.
The stair flights were fabricated by hand individually off-site before being assembled into a singular element, connected by a continuous rounded handrail.
The kitchen and dining room on the ground floor are anchored by a travertine islandMaterials throughout the rest of the house were chosen to match or complement the staircase.
White oak and French limestone cover the floors while lime plaster is applied directly onto the brick walls.
The dining area opens onto a bluestone patio enclosed with cedar panelsThe main entrance to the home is on the second of its four floors, where the main living room is also located.
Downstairs, on the ground floor, the open-plan kitchen and dining area are organised around a monolithic island carved from a single piece of travertine – similar to the fireplace on the level above.OverUnder renovates landmarked Boston building to create single-family residence
A trio of French doors open onto the bluestone back patio enclosed with cedar panels and enlarged windows continue up this south-oriented facade to bring in the maximum amount of natural light.
“Each was increased in scale by over 200 per cent, creating a rear facade graced with daylight, views and which elegantly blends into the age-old brick of Boston’s historic architecture,” the team said.
Large windows run up the south facadeThe building’s third floor is occupied solely by the primary suite – comprising a bedroom, bathroom and closet – and the uppermost storey accommodates an additional bedroom, bathroom and lounge area.
“A great deal of the joy we found in this project was in the process of shaping it from so many dizzying constraints,” said Leng. “But it also needs to be said that the project could only have been sculpted from the intensely productive collaboration between our two firms.”
The rowhouse is located in the South End of BostonBoston has no shortage of historic brick houses, many of which have undergone significant renovations to make them more suitable for modern living.
Examples include a heritage-listed Victorian home that was extended and updated with minimalist interiors by local architecture studio OverUnder.
The photography is by James Leng.
Project credits:
Design architect: J Jih (principal: J Jih) and Figure (principals: James Leng and Jennifer Ly)Structural engineer: Team EngineeringLandscape design: Pate Landscape ArchitectureGeneral contractor: Evergreen Group CompanyMillworker: Kenyon WoodworkingStair fabricator: Stairworks of BostonPlastering: Trowel Inc. PlasteringRead more: More
