In association with Ackworth House.
Step right up for the elevation of a traditionally utilitarian essential into a standout architectural feature. We’re all for objects that are as functional as they are aesthetically appealing, and this design detail takes the concept to another level.
You’re not getting very far in a multi-storey building without a set of stairs. So far, so standard, but you could do it differently by adding a healthy dose of drama. Of all the options for a staircase less ordinary, our vote goes to the floating format for its minimalism, its open and airy feel, the light and view it allows all the way through, the living-artwork-like shadows it casts, and how it lets you maximise your available space by using the nook below for storage or display, an office alcove or a kids’ play area.
Based in Whangārei and Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, staircase specialists Ackworth House came to our attention for their floating feats of engineering crafted from timber, steel, stone and concrete. A family-owned outfit that’s been honing their craft for 40-plus years, they have multiple existing designs ready to choose from, and revel in the opportunity to support your creative vision and help you go bespoke.
With floating stairs, minimal visible support structures and the elimination of risers create the illusion that the treads are walking on air. They can take a freestanding form, have a single spine running below the treads, or cantilever out from a wall, with or without support from a balustrade on the opposite side. Their versatility continues with their ability to fit into all sorts of areas inside and out — even in the middle of your floorplan as an epic centrepiece.
Quality is Ackworth House’s middle name, and their craftspeople work closely with architects and builders on all projects to ensure the structural integrity of their stairs. Their experts can advise you on how to prioritise safety without compromising your aesthetic, and how to integrate lighting to make your suspended steps a marvel day and night. With their reliable service and a little imagination, you could let floating stairs make a major moment of some beautiful materials and turn a regular circulation space into a pivotal artistic highlight of your home.
ackworthhouse.co.nz