stairs

For the exercise in stairs, we were required to model and experiment with different stairs and their respective sections. As an example in modeling I decided to do a spiral staircase so I could learn how to use the array tool and learn how to utilise components. For my model however I wanted to use an institutional style stair well... with a twist, as well as a simple, ornamental stone staircase.

Spiral staircase.

I like the concept of a spiral staircase, and i feel the capacity for curves expressive. Being a tall person however; I find them quite hard work and depending on the radius, quite awkward underfoot. Although visually appealing, this design did not fit into my model.

section

stair well

I fell the stair well offers a lot for an architect, especially when designing for a client such as Muek. With the stair well I can easily control the spacial awareness of the person on the stair; I can offer tunnels and wide glassy reliefs, building a sense of anticipation to the final goal of the studio. This control compliments the was in which Muek controls the spacial awareness of his responders; his manipulation of scale often causes the responder to feel that they are invading or being impressed upon by the sculpture. Because of this, this stair offers a juxtaposition between claustrophobia and agoraphobia.

Notice the combination of glass, solid and partial panels culmination in the open air suspended stair into the studio.

section.

I also tried to avoid the convention of a stair well to wrap underneath itself like a helix. i wanted mne to feel more like a tunnel than a stairwell. This can be seen especially in this elevation:

elevation

The other stair case goes from the gallery space up to Banksy's studio. This stair case is open and free, symbolic of Banksy's art which crosses boundaries and escapes so much stigma and attention through anonymity. The studio which Baksy is situated in has no sense of anonymity, it's wide open views encourage public scrutiny, just like the works do. As for the anonymity of the artist?... they have been good enough to protect that so far so I'm sure they can manage; if anything it adds drama.

elevation

toying with materials

section showing construction and portico.

More developed model with front stairs

more developed model with rear stair well.

Here are some hand drawn sketches from my notebook, detailing the conception of the stairs I finally inserted:

This stair case was never perused. Initially one of my studios had a mezzanine lever, into which this stair was cut. but i abandoned that idea.

This design features prominently as the design of the stairs leading up to Banksy's studio.

This stairwell design is the design i used to drop down from the gallery into Mueck's studio.

This stair design is a hanging stair, supported by the long verticals; this staircase was used to connect the stairwell to Mueck's studio.

as seen at the start of the post and mentioned above.