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

Sunken Garden Staircase
00PROJECT OVERVIEW
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
SPATIAL CHANGE

FORMATION / COMPLETE SPACE

Initial formation of the stair volume01
STARTInitial formation of the stair volume
Completed space: the new stair connects the upper level and sunken garden02
RESULTCompleted space: the new stair connects the upper level and sunken garden
PROJECT SEQUENCE

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

Upper and lower flights form a complete connection
01Upper and lower flights form a complete connection
Stair structure after the balustrade is introduced
02Stair structure after the balustrade is introduced
The enclosed stair mass within the sunken garden
03The enclosed stair mass within the sunken garden
The stair volume connects with the garden activity area
04The stair volume connects with the garden activity area
Simple lines organize treads, platform and balustrade
05Simple lines organize treads, platform and balustrade
Upper view of circulation and platform relationships
06Upper view of circulation and platform relationships
Plan relationship between the stair and garden living area
07Plan relationship between the stair and garden living area
Stair platform beside the garden table
08Stair platform beside the garden table
The sunken garden in use
09The sunken garden in use
View from the upper level across the stair and sunken garden
10View from the upper level across the stair and sunken garden
PROJECT FILM

Design process and spatial walkthrough of the sunken garden stair