Create an architectural statement with a Witcher Crawford Bespoke Staircase
Staircases can be much more than a route to other levels. They can wow as a design feature too and add a strong architectural statement within the home. Creating something exceptional requires careful thought and extensive planning to ensure they fit into the home.
An architect needs to consider not just what design would look good, but how it integrates with the rest of the interior and exterior space. Then there are a host of technical considerations in terms of strength, materials and how to support the weight in the most attractive way.
Hampshire based architects’ practice, Witcher Crawford excels at creating bespoke staircases for its clients, working in collaboration with highly talented craftspeople to realise a vision. We have selected some of their outstanding staircase projects below to give you a flavour of the work the practice undertakes.
Stainless steel and glass spiral staircase in a contemporary home
This stunning staircase features a hollow ribbon of high grade stainless steel which gracefully spirals upwards. This phenomenal feat of engineering took many hours of careful planning. Richard Witcher, partner at Witcher Crawford said, “The flowing elegance of this staircase hides a huge technical challenge. We had to plan this minutely to prevent people running up and down stairs causing resonances to ring through the steel and pull the pins out.” Witcher Crawford worked with specialist structural engineers employed by fabricators, Littlehampton Welding to ensure the design was both beautiful and robust.
The architect specified thick glass panels to fill the spaces beneath the handrail at the top and bottom of the stairs, as well as forming the landing balustrade.
Oak and stainless steel staircase in a beach house
For the feature staircase in this new house in the Bahamas, the drawings were based on the concept of a central spine wall; to be laid down in strata like layers of rock in a cliff face. Each layer has a different width to provide a textured appearance. The wavy form reduces in size as the staircase climbs. A beautiful European oak was chosen to fit in with the light, Caribbean surroundings of this magnificent beach side retreat.
Witcher Crawford worked in collaboration with FJ De La Haye Joinery, who transported the components from its workshop in Jersey ready for installation by their team in the Bahamas.
Steve Harnor, associate at Witcher Crawford explains, “The main challenge with this project was the remoteness of the site. We fabricated the staircase in kit form in Jersey and constructed the components on site following a dry assembly in the workshop”.
Subtle wash lighting was used to highlight the relief cladding on the central core and cedar solar shutters were designed in tandem with the staircase.
Nautical inspired staircase
This amazing lighthouse staircase sits in the entrance hall of a sea side home in Jersey, welcoming guests as they enter. Nautical inspired features pop up all over this marine lover’s home.
A beautiful shadow is cast on the curved wall behind the lighthouse thanks to spaces between the oak treads.
The finishing touches
A great staircase is not just about structure and the treads you step on. Witcher Crawford also designs great looking balustrades and newel posts! Richard Witcher says, “Never underestimate the value of a staircase. One strong feature can lift the interior of any refurbishment or new build, while a drab staircase and entrance hall can disappoint the visitor no matter how stunning the exterior architecture of your project.”
For further information on working with an architect to create a bespoke staircase contact Witcher Crawford Architects at www.witchercrawford.co.uk or call 01962 813344.
