Staircase Design / PROJECT

Basement Lightwell Staircase

A basement study, reception and tea space is reorganized around the lightwell, where a platform, bookshelves, masonry steps, a square-tube frame, folded steel treads and custom cabinetry form a reading retreat.Designer: Lu Haining

Basement Lightwell Staircase
00PROJECT OVERVIEW
01 / EXISTING CONDITION

The basement needed to accommodate a study, reception and tea space. The original stair served only as circulation, while the lightwell remained underused and disconnected from everyday activities.

02 / CLIENT BRIEF

The brief was to remove the original stair, retain clear vertical circulation, turn the lightwell into a reading retreat and integrate seating, desk, bookshelves, steps and storage within one structure.

03 / DESIGN APPROACH

A platform and bookshelves are introduced within the lightwell, turning a single-purpose daylight zone into a place for reading and rest that connects with the basement study, reception and tea area.

After the original stair is removed, new masonry platforms and steps are built. Their level changes are used to form a bench and desk, allowing the vertical sequence required for circulation to support places to sit and work.

The main stair frame is welded from square steel tube and fitted with folded steel-plate treads. Openings within the frame are reserved for cabinetry so stair, balustrade and storage can operate as one system.

Custom cabinets are finally installed within the reserved frames. Platform, bookshelves, seating, desk, steel treads and cabinetry combine circulation, reading, reception and storage in one distinctive stair space.

04 / KEY MOVES
  1. 01Turn the lightwell into a reading retreat
  2. 02Organize the lightwell with a platform and bookshelves
  3. 03Remove the original stair and rebuild masonry platforms and steps
  4. 04Use level changes to form a bench and desk
  5. 05Support folded steel treads with a square-tube frame
  6. 06Insert custom cabinetry into the reserved steel frames
SPATIAL CHANGE

ORIGINAL STAIR / INTEGRATED SPACE

Before: the original stair served only as circulation between the basement and upper level01
STARTBefore: the original stair served only as circulation between the basement and upper level
Completed space: stair, reading area, reception seating and storage are integrated within one structure02
RESULTCompleted space: stair, reading area, reception seating and storage are integrated within one structure
PROJECT SEQUENCE

Read the project as a sequence of spatial decisions, from structure and circulation to the final lived scene.

Before: the lightwell had no defined place to sit or stay
01Before: the lightwell had no defined place to sit or stay
A platform establishes the base of the reading retreat within the lightwell
02A platform establishes the base of the reading retreat within the lightwell
New masonry platforms and steps organize the stair levels
03New masonry platforms and steps organize the stair levels
Level changes extend into a bench and desk
04Level changes extend into a bench and desk
A welded square-tube frame supports the stair and reserves openings for cabinetry
05A welded square-tube frame supports the stair and reserves openings for cabinetry
Folded steel-plate treads are installed over the square-tube frame
06Folded steel-plate treads are installed over the square-tube frame
Custom cabinetry is inserted into the reserved steel frames and integrated with the stair
07Custom cabinetry is inserted into the reserved steel frames and integrated with the stair
Bookshelves, cabinetry, desk and seating support reading and pause
08Bookshelves, cabinetry, desk and seating support reading and pause
PROJECT FILM

Design walkthrough from removing the original stair to completing the lightwell reading area and multifunctional staircase