Introduction
A staircase made of laser-cut steel, installed within a building located in Germany of significant architectural importance. The residence was designed by a prominent German architect, originally built in the early 1970s and later revisited in the early 2000s.
As part of this renovation, an imposing staircase in thick steel plate, measuring 30 mm, was introduced to clearly express the ability to shape and model steel and sheet metal. The deliberately contemporary design was developed to engage with the architectural language of the renovation, integrating into the renewed context while maintaining a strong and sculptural presence.
Design
The design draws inspiration, as often happens in our work, from forms found in nature. In this case, the reference is the constructive intelligence of bees, specifically the geometry of the cells that make up the honeycomb, admired for their precision and structural logic.
Here, geometry becomes the dominant element of the project: a pattern of perforations that allows light to pass through while creating a distinctive graphic motif and texture. As sunlight filters through these “cells,” it enters the interior spaces, generating unique shadows and light projections that enhance different areas of the house and give the space a dynamic and ever-changing character throughout the day.
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Metal cells transforming light into architecture
Detail 1
The construction phase represented a significant challenge, particularly due to the very tight central helix. By applying our established method—based on a precise on-site survey and the construction of a central totem in the workshop—we were able to accurately refine the exact shape and profile of the staircase prior to installation.
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Steel is not forced, it is guided
Detail 2
Given the considerable thickness of the steel plate, custom-made forming dies were developed and used under a large press to achieve the required bends. The rolling machine, typically used for industrial or standard helical staircases, could not be applied in this case, making a fully bespoke forming process essential.
Finishes
The finishing phase followed a carefully controlled process. After the mechanical operations, the steel was manually cleaned to restore a uniform surface appearance and consistency.
A sandblasting process was then carried out to achieve an even finish and to prepare the steel for the powder coating, which represents the final surface treatment. This finish ensures a durable, resistant, and easy-to-clean surface, a crucial aspect when considering the practical use of the piece within a residential environment.
Conclusion
Pure emotion. Seeing such thick steel, shaped and custom-built into a helical staircase, is always a powerful experience. A piece that conveys strength, control of material, and absolute precision.
Its true uniqueness emerges through its relationship with natural light: sunlight entering from the veranda passes through the staircase geometry, illuminating the honeycomb-inspired cells and creating ever-changing patterns of light and shadow. A work that fully reveals itself through the dialogue between material, light, and space.
