SCULPTURAL ELLIPTICAL GRAND METAL STAIRCASE
AWARD WINNER | 2008 Best of ‘Steel’ | Southwest Contractor’s Magazine
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Sculptural Elliptical Steel Staircase
From inception to completion the project scope of this intricately woven steel staircase took approximately 2 1/2 years. Our goal was to create a grand staircase built entirely out of structural steel, to appear as free floating and seamless as possible. During the design development stage, we collaborated with various project team members, to keep the structural steel members in cohesion with the architects preliminary design concept.
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Sculptural Elliptical Steel Staircase
By far, the largest challenge was fabricating the 1/2" x 2" solid flat bar handrail to a rolled configuration that needed both radius with lift. We worked with Albina Pipe Bending Co. to provide the rolled radius for the handrail flat bar but, the lift had to be created on site. Using specifically designed tools and extreme heat, the flat bar was forged in place, creating the necessary lift. The finished staircase was finally treated with a rich brown patina and protected with a clear coat. In the end, we were able to complete a sculptural elliptical grand staircase for the clients that not only provides function architecturally, but also acts independently as a sculptural art piece.
