Staircases : Design and Construction

Staircases can reveal much about the individual architect's approach to design, construction and building materials. Despite the ever-widening range of ready-made components on the market, an expertly made staircase aptly fitting the building is still a hallmark of good architecture. In this volume, the current state of technology in stair construction is reviewed, providing a comprehensive overview of the latest production methods useful for the day-to-day work. Following an introductory essay on the development of staircases, the fundamental principles in building stairs are documented, and essential information is provided on the crucial elements of construction and the creative possibilities of the basic materials wood, steel and concrete. The theory is illustrated by a large number of international examples which are extensively documented, thus providing an invaluable source of inspiration for builders and architects. As a practical aid, the book contains a subject index, a glossary, and information on the current regulations and norms.