The top-floor bedroom reaches 5.1 metres at its highest point and required a new loft. The available stair run was very short and steep, while a conventional stair would occupy too much of the bedroom.
Staircase Design / PROJECT
Attic Cabinet Staircase
Within a 5.1-metre-high bedroom and a very short stair run, alternating solid and cabinet treads create compact access to the loft while adding storage.Designer: Lu Haining
The client wanted access to the loft with the smallest possible footprint, manageable step heights and useful additional storage.
The stair uses alternating left and right treads. Solid steps are built against the wall for the right foot, establishing a stable route within the limited distance.
On the other side, a sequence of rising cabinets forms the left-foot treads. Alternating cabinet and solid steps keeps each rise within a reasonable range while converting the stair volume into storage.
Because the run is short and the slope is steep, the treads cannot provide the depth of a conventional stair. The design therefore balances walking comfort, footprint and storage according to the client's priorities, resolving the 5.1-metre height difference in one compact system.
- 01Resolve a 5.1-metre room height
- 02Work within a short and steep run
- 03Use alternating left and right treads
- 04Combine solid and cabinet steps
- 05Control the rise of each step
- 06Turn stair volume into storage
SPATIAL CHANGE
HEIGHT CHALLENGE / STORAGE STAIR
0102Read the project as a sequence of spatial decisions, from structure and circulation to the final lived scene.
PROJECT FILM
Design walkthrough of the 5.1-metre bedroom loft, alternating treads and cabinet storage