Staircase Design / PROJECT

Sunken Garden Staircase

A new stair connects the upper level with the sunken garden through a solid mass, restrained lines and clear circulation.Designer: Lu Haining

01 / EXISTING CONDITION

The site had no stair, leaving the upper level without a direct and convenient connection to the sunken garden.

02 / CLIENT BRIEF

The client requested a new stair linking the upper level and sunken garden while becoming a coherent part of the garden environment.

03 / DESIGN APPROACH

The design is developed through three ideas: mass, simplicity and function. The space beneath the stair is fully enclosed to create a stable, complete volume with a clear presence in the sunken garden.

Simple, deliberate lines remove unnecessary decoration and bring the stair structure, balustrade and platform into one coherent composition.

The stair provides the essential vertical connection while its mass and structural clarity make it part of the garden rather than a separate circulation object.

04 / KEY MOVES
  1. 01Connect the upper level and sunken garden
  2. 02Form a fully enclosed stair volume
  3. 03Unify stair and balustrade through simple lines
  4. 04Establish clear vertical circulation
  5. 05Integrate the stair with garden use
Initial formation of the stair volume
01Initial formation of the stair volume
Upper and lower flights form a complete connection
02Upper and lower flights form a complete connection
Stair structure after the balustrade is introduced
03Stair structure after the balustrade is introduced
The enclosed stair mass within the sunken garden
04The enclosed stair mass within the sunken garden
The stair volume connects with the garden activity area
05The stair volume connects with the garden activity area
Simple lines organize treads, platform and balustrade
06Simple lines organize treads, platform and balustrade
Overall view of the stair and sunken garden
07Overall view of the stair and sunken garden
Upper view of circulation and platform relationships
08Upper view of circulation and platform relationships
Plan relationship between the stair and garden living area
09Plan relationship between the stair and garden living area
Stair platform beside the garden table
10Stair platform beside the garden table
The sunken garden in use
11The sunken garden in use
View from the upper level across the stair and sunken garden
12View from the upper level across the stair and sunken garden
PROJECT FILM

Design process and spatial walkthrough of the sunken garden stair