Great idea!

Hi, we are living in our old townhouse & would like to replace the old stairs but to do this we know we will need two structural posts with a joining beam to support the upper floor. I dont even know where to start with this project so seeking some upfront guidance - would I need to get a builder to coordinate this, a building designer or a seprate staircase & engineering company of some variety...?? I will attach a pic that a neighbour did (they sold so cant ask what process they went through but believe they were in the trade themselves...) many thanks in advance!

sure, you hang it from the roof.......you just have to make sure the roof has sufficient structural strength designed and pin-pointed directly above the support post position................ nothing a set of skyhooks couldn't handle...... In all seriousness, stairs in that "U" configuration with corner winders need support at each internal corner. If it was made out of steel possibly the thing could be designed without posts and floated but with the existing expressed timber stair you can't easily substitute some form of retrofitted support structure -it's going to be either an expensive, clunky or likely both. If you're after a a cheaper option perhaps reconsider the room and think about a way of getting space elsewhere or in a different way, for example such as potentially reconfiguring the living space and using the underneath of the stairs to house the TV by building in some joinery around the post, or building it in as a cupboard to declutter...... There's always an opportunity within the constraint Good luck PD :) www.pauldistefanodesign.com

It is a tricky detail to resolve, especially where the benchtop abuts the columns and the detail needed. The cleanest solution is to finish the bench short, so that the column is freestanding and independent of the cabinetwork and benchtop with about 100mm clearance. This then gives you the flexibility to use a slimmer, more elegant columns, such as a visually simple steel pipe/tube column similar to the one in this photo. Best of luck Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls and Dr Retro Virtual Visits