Staircase Design / PROJECT

Staircase Transformation

The lower section of the original concrete stair is replaced by cantilevered treads, a generous leisure platform and a new direction of movement.Designer: Lu Haining

Staircase Transformation
00PROJECT OVERVIEW
01 / EXISTING CONDITION

The original stair served only as a route between floors and had little relationship with the room around it.

02 / CLIENT BRIEF

The client wanted the stair to remain practical while becoming a harmonious and visually considered part of the room.

03 / DESIGN APPROACH

The lower section of the original concrete stair was removed and redesigned with cantilevered treads, giving the stair a lighter visual presence.

A generous leisure platform adds a place to pause and rest. It also changes the direction of ascent and creates more possibilities for the surrounding space.

The scale of the platform gives the room a calmer and more grounded spatial relationship. The intervention changes more than appearance: it adds function, redirects circulation and reorganizes the room around everyday use.

04 / KEY MOVES
  1. 01Remove the lower stair section
  2. 02Introduce cantilevered treads
  3. 03Add a leisure platform
  4. 04Redirect the ascent
  5. 05Reorganize the surrounding room
SPATIAL CHANGE

BEFORE / AFTER

Before: the original concrete stair served only as vertical circulation01
STARTBefore: the original concrete stair served only as vertical circulation
After: stair, platform and lounge form one complete spatial relationship02
RESULTAfter: stair, platform and lounge form one complete spatial relationship
PROJECT SEQUENCE

Swipe horizontally to read each image in order, from the first spatial decision to the completed project.

Diagram of the original stair form
01Diagram of the original stair form
Removing the lower stair section releases space within the room
02Removing the lower stair section releases space within the room
Cantilevered treads reconnect the two levels
03Cantilevered treads reconnect the two levels
Treads and wall lighting define a new route upward
04Treads and wall lighting define a new route upward
A leisure platform turns circulation space into a place to pause
05A leisure platform turns circulation space into a place to pause
Platform, access steps and cantilevered stair form one system
06Platform, access steps and cantilevered stair form one system
The leisure platform in use
07The leisure platform in use
Platform proportions and tread details
08Platform proportions and tread details
Spatial connection between the lounge area and platform
09Spatial connection between the lounge area and platform
PROJECT FILM

Design process and spatial walkthrough