Decorative staircases aren’t a new concept but changing trends and materials, as well as increasingly stringent building code, means it’s difficult to keep track of what’s fashionable and what’s possible in the world of staircase design.

For example, curving balustrade-less stairs feature regularly on international design websites, but back home in Australia, in reality, they are considered unsafe and not permitted to be built.

Architects and designers are thus innovating with what they’ve got and allowed to do, and across the spectrum of our building projects we’re seeing them turn to experienced staircase builders to achieve extraordinary staircase designs with beautiful materials and expert detailing.

They’re choosing to use expert staircase builders who provide end-to-end services because quite simply, it’s easier, faster and often cheaper, and because of their specialised experience, more likely to bring a clients’ vision to life.

Three recent projects from Slattery & Acquroff, Australia’s oldest staircase design and build outfit, are examples of where attention to detail can elevate a staircase beyond its base-purpose as a slanted thoroughfare to a position of design expression within the home.

EXAMPLE ONE: TIMBER SCREENS

Inside this beautifully renovated home in Elwood, Victoria sits an open stair which has been thoroughly planned and designed.

It begins with two butted feature landing steps before making its way up to the first level in a straight flight. The stairs consist of Tasmanian Oak 42mm treads with strips fixed underneath that sit in between a closed steel outer string and a concealed plate wall string.

The main feature of the staircase however is the 120x42mm Tasmanian Oak feature slat balustrade which has been side mounted to the outer string with concealed fixings for a seamless finish.

The stair is completed with Tasmanian Oak 70x45mm HR07 handrail fixed to the wall with Slattery & Acquroff own chrome handrail brackets.

The smaller details like the concealed fixings on the timber screens, the concealed plate wall string (behind plasterboard) and the architectural handrail brackets create an effortlessly beautiful feature staircase.

EXAMPLE TWO: PARAMETRIC CURVES

The stairs at this spectacular Hawthorn property overlooking the Yarra River are quite simply a work of art.

This elegant ribbon stair follows architectural trends more common in the public and commercial building space but has been made possible in this residential setting by careful detailing by Slattery & Acquroff.

It is constructed out of a laminated Spotted Gum hardwood which curves its way around plastered timber dwarf walls which sweep up to the first level.

The square edged treads with 30mm projections and cut concealed strings create beautiful clean lines against the white walls and provides a safe, complying solution for the clients who were inspired by international examples of curving staircases.

EXAMPLE THREE: MESHING TRENDS

Architectural mesh has developed into an extremely popular solution for designers wishing to incorporate an industrial feel to the building with screen or partition and without blocking out natural light.

The hero of this stair is undoubtedly the brass mesh screens running up the flights framed by black mild steel. The screens abut the 42mm Victorian Ash treads which removes the need for an extra balustrade and complies with Part 3.9.2.3 – Balustrades or other barrier construction of the BCA.

This provides a less-bulky staircase and allows natural light from above to penetrate through the screen and onto the below floorplate.

The handrail (50 x 10mm) is also fabricated from black etched mild steel and welded to the frames of the screens.

For more information on how you can add value to your interior offering with the inclusion of a bespoke modern staircase, contact Slattery & Acquroff today.

Architecture & Design Team

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