SBH02_38-47 3/19/09 2:41 PM Page 45
By Patrick Kennedy,
Designer/Estimator,
Spiral Staircases.
Planning Ahead
Planning ahead and seeking specialist advice
early on gives you the greatest flexibility and
potential; the experts can advise you of the
regulations and necessary procedures. Indeed,
opting for a full design service can save you time
and money as the designer takes the responsibility
to run the project from beginning to end,
overseeing every aspect of the work and ensuring
the quality of detail is maintained throughout.
Space
Light can play an important part in creating a
feeling of spaciousness. The staircase can open
the space from ceiling to floor, or draw shafts of
Stairs:
light from juxtaposed windows. Cut-away shapes
in treads create patterns in light that circulate
through the space.
The Heart of a Home
Health & Safety
It is good to approach local district surveyors
early in the process as you might need
permission for certain alterations or installations.
tairs are usually the focal point of a as the proportions may not reduce down to a Discuss any project with an architect or interior
S
home that links the different domestic environment as much as one might designer and find out how regulations will affect
levels/environments. Your stairs can like. Also, try not to be seduced by images of the design.
be a statement about how you want to very minimal stairs; often in countries where the
present yourself and how you want to building regulations are more lax than in the UK Open Your Mind to the Possibilities
feel about your home when entering it. you can see a stair designed seemingly with no There’s an overwhelming temptation to be
Proportions, details, the effects of light and the consideration to safety whatsoever. conservative. Open your mind and don’t forget
use of materials can be crucial in the design Regulations regarding the designs of stairs in your staircase is probably the most used
and how it links different areas in a house. the UK can be quite stringent, and it is worth architectural feature of your home. Whether
The staircase offers you the opportunity of being aware of these regulations; consult an your aim is simplicity or drama, the staircase
installing the single largest sculptural element in architect or specialist company. However, in the needs to work aesthetically and functionally.
a house. This is an opportunity that should not end it is your local district surveyor who will To make your staircase work, you need to find
be overlooked until a few months before the have the final say on what you can and cannot an experienced supplier you trust to guide you
completion of a project; it is too important and have in the way of a stair, so it is important to through the possibilities and benefits. A good
as such should be considered at the initial present your plans and designs to the designer will work with you to realise your vision
stages of the design of a development from a surveyor's office in advance to get their approval for the interior through careful choice of materials
practical as well as aesthetic point of view. or comments. and dimensions. When that staircase is in place,
There are many things to consider when If you have the luxury of starting from scratch, it will add value to your home while offering you
thinking about your staircase, not least the either with a new build or a gutted the sensory pleasures of good design from every
impact that the Part K building regulations and refurbishment, try to avoid squeezing a angle, with every step.
British Standards (BS 5395 Part 2) have on a staircase into a tight space. From a financial as Finally, a staircase must be carefully
design. It is important to research what has well as aesthetic point of view, keeping the considered, planned and designed. It does have
been done before and to have an open mind layout of the stairs to a simple shape is better. an important functional role and an impact on
initially about design. Look at the many books A straight flight without winders for example, or light and space, as well as safety issues. The key
on the subject and online where there are many a spiral/helical stair without straight sections, is to success is taking time to consider the full
examples, staircases being very photogenic. Try the way forward being more economic to build picture, what the staircase can do for the entire
not to be seduced by large dramatic stairs that and pleasing to look upon. home and what statement you want it to make.
may work well in the lobby of a shop or office, To highlight, these are our top tips: Don’t underestimate the results. 241
See inside back cover for Reader Enquiry Card or go online: www.sbhonline.eu
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