Vertical circulation may be just one of the functions of a ladder. Always occupying a reasonable area, this element can serve to bring some other uses when it is thought of in a more integrated way with the entire room, providing living spaces, storage and also a greater aesthetic appeal. That is why we have gathered some ideas on how to occupy the areas around a staircase in different projects: from home to industrial scale.
Bleachers
In public architecture, stairs demonstrate the movement of the body around the space, but they can also become a living space. Thinking of the maxim "see and be seen", a rest area or an audience can be realized by taking advantage of the stairs’ design to bring a bleacher to the environment and generate a meeting place with multiple uses in the building.
Even on the residential scale, it is possible to think of interspersing different materials or designs to generate levels that are more distant from each other, allowing other uses and bringing a different aesthetic appeal.
Home Office
With work becoming more and more flexible, it's not always easy to create a place to focus at home. Taking advantage of the area under the stairs can be an alternative, as it can bring a feeling of isolation from the surroundings and help you focus on what is necessary.
Designed Furniture
Taking advantage of the unevenness between the steps, the design of handrails or guardrails to bring different uses is also a very welcome alternative. The possibilities are endless and it is possible to create shelves, niches, benches, small libraries or even places to hang different objects.
Landscaping
To bring more green to the interiors, do it in the area under the stairs, or hanging vases on its handrails, do it throughout your composition, including on the steps. Everything can be an option. If this is your interest, be sure to see more references here.
Editor's Note: This article was originally published on September 16, 2022.
