Stairs are so commonplace in architecture that you might not give them a second thought. But as evidenced by modern stair design, it’s something that we should pay attention to more. When done well, they transcend their primary function and become sculptural works of art that make ordinary places come alive.
The best staircase design considers both form and space; it utilizes the area that’s available and activates it in a way that leads your eye from the top of the landing, down to the base. The solution doesn’t have to mean giant steps—on the contrary. In a design by Arquitectura en Movimiento, the staircase has a beautiful lyrical quality to it. Constructed with gentle, swooping lines, there are open slots between each of the minimalist steps that provide additional lighting to the rest of the room.
Staircase design can also mean more functionality within your living space, and few do this better than Object lev by Mieke Meijer. Here, the studio combined desk, storage, and shelving into one unit. For a home where space is at a premium, solutions like this are an ingenious way to maximize every inch of usable areas.
Whether grand or compact, staircases showcase the endless design possibilities that exist. Check out some of our favorite examples of the modern staircase below.
Some designs rethink the steps and their risers.
Arquitectura en Movimento Workshop
Read more: Beautifully Sloping Wooden Staircase Creates a Sense of Flow in the Home
Other designs make use of lines in innovative ways.
