Staircase Design

If you think a flight of stairs is nothing more than a means of getting from one floor to the next, think again. Shot from intriguing angles that illustrate their utility and beauty, this colorful tour of stepping spaces reveals why staircases are not only the architect's ultimate challenge, but also the ultimate manifestation of his ingenuity, imagination, and engineering skills. In one family houses and multiple dwellings, in schools, museums, and sports arenas, in restaurants, offices, and retail shops, these stairs, escalators, and even fire escapes are made of every material imaginable: wood, natural stone, bricks, reinforced concrete, metal, and even glass. From one floor to the next they show how the best staircases are spiritually—as well as physically—transporting.