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The main building within the Adult Learning Centre complex has a centralised atrium with a large feature staircase. The staircase was designed to allow users to easily circulate the building, while also creating a space where users could informally congregate.
Consequently, the staircase designed has steps that comply with building regulations, as well as double height steps that can be used as seating.
The stairs are made of CLT timber, reflecting the choice of materiality for the roof frame and flooring. The balusters have been designed to effectively support the banisters, while also allowing users to see through the frame, and engage with activities taking place below.
a
b
c
d
e
f
a. The initial proposal for a staircase was a standard set of steps, with the sole objective of allowing users to circulate between the ground and first floor of the central atrium.
b. The second version of the staircase incorporated a double height step that could be used as seating for the general public and Adult Learning Centre users. The purpose of this was to encourage users not only the move between floors and buildings, but pause in the public domain and engage with the space and its other users.
c. While the staircase worked functionally it did not make use of the public space, and its appearance was generic. The double height steps were expanded at an angle longitudinally, become more of a feature of the atrium.
d. The staircase provided access to the space directly in front of it, but did not integrate with the café space that ran parallel to it. The double height steps were therefore developed, expanded and rotated at a 45-degree angle to engage with the café space to the right of the steps.
e. The double height steps provided additional seating for the atrium, but users of the café would be forced to walk the perimeter of the stairs in order to use the steps. Consequently, another set of steps were integrated into the design, allowing users of the café and lower spaces to easily access upper floors from the opposing side of the atrium.
f. The final adaption to this staircase was the slight cutting of the steps, making the relationship between the step and double height stair less harsh.
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