A STAIRWAY can be an atten-
tion-getting architectural element.
Its very nature implies movement,
and this hint of kinetic energy is
bound to attract immediate notice.

By Jolin Riha
Contributing Writer

With a bit of imagination, it’s
possible to capitalize on the natu-
ral beauty of stairs to create an
architectural showpiece. At the
same time, you can plan to put
that awkward space beneath your
stairway to practical use.

The owners of one contem-
porary home wanted a stairway
without railings, but building
codes required them. The solution
made the railing all but disappear
by using glass tempered panels
outlined with a simple wood
handrail.

“We thought. about an acrylic
handrail on top but thought it

Make stairway designs functional

would draw too much attention to
itself,” said architect Bay Cobb.
“We didn’t want the effect to be
100 glitzy, so we felt that a simple
wood handrail on the top would
be more effective.’’

The ingenious design cantilevers
the ends of the treads beyond the
supporting wall and makes each
tread appear as if it were going
through the glass.

The box-like ends of the treads
were painted the same colors as
the stairwell wall to create a tex-
tural effect. Carpet softens the
hard edges and helps add a strik-
ing accent to the entry foyer.

The owners wanted either a
closet or a display niche in the
space below the stairs. They
couldn’t settle on a final plan, but
Cobb satisfied both goals by
designing a dispiay case that
swings out on hidden hinges to
reveal a storage area. A solid
frame around the case helps con-
ceal the gaps between the case and

Photo distributed by the Los Angei.s Times Syndicate

THE IDEAS behind the design of this stairway — explained in the
accompanying stery — were aimed at accommodating « desire
. for an open stairwell and a need for a solid railing. The designer
aiso hid a storage compartment under the stairs and behind the

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the wall. Recessed lights not only
iNuminate the storage area when
the door is open, but also provide
light for the display case through
holes in the case’s top and bot-
tom.

Glass shelving and a mirrored
interior help highlight the display
case’s Oriental treasures.

SPECIAL
CONSIDERATIONS

If small children or seniors live
in your home, you have special
reasons to make sure your stair
design includes:

@ Handrails designed to be easily
grasped. A round profile with a
diameter of 1% to two inches
provides a good grip.

@ Handrails that extend over
every step in the stair run.

@ Balusters that are spaced no
more than four inches apart.

@ Materials that contrast in both
color and texture to signal the
beginnings and ends of stairs
(such as oak flooring and carpeted
stairs).

Reprinted by permission from
Building Ideas Magazine.
Distributed by the Los Angeles
Times Syndicate.

1629 Lonsdale Avenue
Across from SuperValu
N. VANCOUVER 985-6815

ly)

GUIDE

The B.C. Home Show has
ideas on home renovation

THE BC Fall Home Show returns
to BC Place Stadium this year and
runs for four days starting Oct.
15.

Last year more than 40,000
people visited the home-oriented
showcase, which features a
68,000-square-foot exhibition of
new products and techniques for
home repair and renovation.

Show hours are 4 p.m. to 10

p.m. on Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10
p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and
10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.

Admission is $7 for adults, $6
for seniors (half-price on Friday)
$1.25 for children six to 12-years
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