INTERIORS 63
Specifying staircases for listed buildings
Richard Harding at British Spirals & Castings discusses best practice for specifying staircases in listed buildings, from conservation principles and material selection to regulatory compliance and modern surveying techniques.
H
istoric buildings are an important part of the UK’s architectural landscape, presenting architects with the unique challenge of balancing conservation requirements with modern accessibility and operational needs. Staircases sit at the centre of this challenge, serving not only as a practical structure for getting from fl oor to fl oor but as a signifi cant architectural feature that is central to the building’s historic character. Whether designing for the repair of an existing staircase, a replacement for one that has reached the end of its life, or a new staircase that’s being introduced into a historic setting, when specifying for these projects a sympathetic and considered approach must be taken.
Before any work commences on a listed building, Listed Building Consent should be obtained. With staircases being so closely integrated into a building’s original design, any alterations are likely to receive close scrutiny, so early engagement with the local conservation offi cer is particularly useful. This not only helps to establish the appropriate level of intervention but ensures proposals refl ect the site’s heritage signifi cance before detailed design begins. The level of protection depends on the level of listing of a building; Historic England’s conservation guidance emphasises minimum intervention, reversibility where possible, and the retention of historic fabric as key principles when introducing alterations. Individual treads, balusters, handrails and newel posts can often be replicated by specialist manufacturers while retaining signifi cant portions of the existing staircase structure. This can include using a sample of original metalwork to create a new pattern from which replacements can be cast. When replacement is unavoidable,
ADF SEPTEMBER 2026
the focus should be on replication over reinterpretation, using surviving elements, archive drawings, photographs or pattern libraries to inform the design.
Material selection is equally important. In many Grade I listed buildings, conservation requirements typically expect replacement staircases or components to be manufactured from materials that match the original construction, such as cast iron for cast iron structures or the same timber species for wooden elements. For some Grade II or II* projects, there may be greater fl exibility. Modern materials such as cast aluminium can closely replicate the appearance of traditional cast iron, while offering reduced weight, rustproofi ng, and greater manufacturing fl exibility for intricate decorative details. The use of substitute materials should always be agreed with the conservation offi cer before specifi cation – specialist manufacturers may be able to support these conversations. Alongside material selection, architects must also consider how heritage requirements align with stricter modern building regulations. Historic staircases were constructed with steeper pitches, narrower treads, and lower handrails than would typically be permitted in new buildings today. However, where strict compliance would result in unacceptable harm to a building’s heritage signifi cance, the regulatory framework may permit carefully justifi ed departures from these standards, subject to agreement with your conservation offi cer.
Accurate surveying is also essential in older buildings. Heritage properties have walls, fl oors and openings that are rarely square or level, making precise measurement particularly important for staircases, which must connect multiple levels while fi tting
Accurate surveying is also essential in older buildings
WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78
