The staircase is one of the strongest transition elements in architecture. It establishes the connection between two spaces, interior and exterior, on two different levels. The position of this element in a building has been always irreplaceable.
The stairs are one of the oldest buildings in architectural history, they have always played a central role in the history of humanity, although it is difficult to tell exactly in which year they were born, it is believed its appearance was by the year 6000 before Christ. The stairs seem to change shape with the change of architectural eras, reflecting the trends used in different ages and revealing the talent of those who designed them.
An alternating tread stair climbing the steep slope of a pinnacle in Pinnacles National Monument, California, United States
The simplest form of staircase, down to Man o’War Cove, Dorset, England
The first stairs in history were wood trunks fitter together, these kinds of stairs were used to acquire strategic positions for survival. In a basic sense, the first use which was given to the stairs was to overcome the difficulties presented by the terrain, such as valleys or mountains, the goal was to be able to pass these difficulties as soon as possible, move up often meant moving to a place of greater security, then this could have meant at that time the difference between life and death, it was very important to move quickly, hence the importance of the stairs.
In the history of the stairs, they first emerged as a solution to a problem, although, years later it was found in China as the first granite staircase leading to the sacred mountain of Tai Shan, this indicates that one of the utilities that were given to the stairs in his story was for religious purposes. Confucius in one of his stories said to have gone up this ladder to the top in the year 55 BC. The ladder was used in a metaphoric way to reach the divine height and establish a connection between earth and sky. Other examples of stairs built for religious purposes are: the biblical Jacob’s ladder, the tower of Babel, which was a helical tower, the pyramids of Egypt that had stairs, the celestial ladder of Shantung in China, the stairs in India, a peculiarity of the stairs in India is that they had also scientific utility. All these stairs have something in common, they symbolize the rise of the light, the sun, and a way into the gods' path.
Ergonomically and for safety reasons, stairs have to have certain measurements for people to comfortably use them. Building codes will typically specify certain measurements so that the stairs are not too steep or narrow.
There are different types of staircases
Straight
Alternating tread
Spiral/ Helical/Elliptical
Freestanding
Straight staircases usually required more length of space to fit the flight. Also, we need to break it into two flights as per the bylaws if the vertical distance to be travelled is more. So nowadays this staircase is extensively used as a decorative feature. There are lots of modifications done to accommodate more height with less flight length. Also, flexible ladders are the ones mentioned in the same category.
An alternate tread staircase may be used where there is insufficient space for the full run length of normal stairs. Alternating tread stairs allow for safe forward-facing descent of very steep stairs. The treads are designed such that they alternate between treads for each foot: one step is wide on the left side; the next step is wide on the right side. This staircase is called as Samba staircase as well.
Although these samba staircases are not comfortable to use and dangerous as they rule out all ergonomic standards. But still, its minimal space requirement has carved out a niche for itself.
Spiral or Helical staircases are considered to be the most elegant of all. A spiral staircase by the mathematical definition therefore would be of little use as it would afford no change in elevation. The correct mathematical term for motion where the locus remains at a fixed distance from a fixed line whilst moving in a circular motion about it is “helix”.
You can read more about the history of spiral staircases here,
Classic spiral design
Asymmetrical-modern-spiral-staircase
External-spiral-in-the-palazzo-contarini-del-bovolo-in-venice-italy
Helical Staircase
Metal Castle Spiral Staircase
Postmodern Spiral Staircase
Elliptical Staircase
Freestanding staircases are not confined by walls or any other building part alike. It leads to the next level without any support. All types of spiral staircases can be freestanding as they can be erected on a single column as a support.
There is still more to talk about guys….people are inventing innovative designs of staircases and you might have come across it already under the “Amazing Staircases Section” on the web. Few of them are very functional whereas few are just for the sake of creating something unusual losing the functionality. Still, they get their positions
This modern staircase with the combination of glass and steel is eye-catching though it's not safe for kids
The railing of the staircase can be used as an extension for the furniture pieces.
The whole staircase can be a piece of furniture…
This is an awful staircase, yeah it's some porn staircase I guess correct me if I am wrong. It's a Lello bookshop staircase in Portugal.
Have you heard about Infinity Staircase? Hey, that sounds so touchy as it is my blog’s name. Jokes apart nice concept to think about as a monument or piece of art.
I would rather say this staircase below would be an appropriate example of an Infinity Staircase as it was endless. It looks like a Mobius strip
by Michel de Broin, Montréal, 2003
What about the amalgamation of above all types of staircases? Sounds freaky yeah?.. I know..but it does exist trust me…yes it's a combination of the spiral, helical and straight.
Few more to mention,
Apple Store at San Fransisco
These are interesting
Not sure about its existence
Hotel Stairway
Serpentine staircase
The “Survival Staircase” is the last remaining above-ground remnant of the World Trade Centre. The Vesey Street Starway was used by hundreds of people to evacuate the towers on September 11th, 2001. For many, it was the only route of escape and is thus now termed the “Survivor’s stairway”
Survival Staircase at WTC
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