stair with acacia wood treads and risers, rift sawn oak panels beyond Photo: Van Inwegen Digital Arts
Mid-sized modern wood straight staircase in Chicago with wood risers.

This is an example of a large modern wood straight staircase in New Orleans with painted wood risers and metal railing.

Design ideas for a modern wood straight staircase in San Francisco with open risers.

Image Courtesy © Nat Rae
Photo of a modern wood straight staircase in Boston with open risers and cable railing.

ZeroEnergy Design (ZED) created this modern home for a progressive family in the desirable community of Lexington. Thoughtful Land Connection. The residence is carefully sited on the infill lot so as to create privacy from the road and neighbors, while cultivating a side yard that captures the southern sun. The terraced grade rises to meet the house, allowing for it to maintain a structured connection with the ground while also sitting above the high water table. The elevated outdoor living space maintains a strong connection with the indoor living space, while the stepped edge ties it back to the true ground plane. Siting and outdoor connections were completed by ZED in collaboration with landscape designer Soren Deniord Design Studio. Exterior Finishes and Solar. The exterior finish materials include a palette of shiplapped wood siding, through-colored fiber cement panels and stucco. A rooftop parapet hides the solar panels above, while a gutter and site drainage system directs rainwater into an irrigation cistern and dry wells that recharge the groundwater. Cooking, Dining, Living. Inside, the kitchen, fabricated by Henrybuilt, is located between the indoor and outdoor dining areas. The expansive south-facing sliding door opens to seamlessly connect the spaces, using a retractable awning to provide shade during the summer while still admitting the warming winter sun. The indoor living space continues from the dining areas across to the sunken living area, with a view that returns again to the outside through the corner wall of glass. Accessible Guest Suite. The design of the first level guest suite provides for both aging in place and guests who regularly visit for extended stays. The patio off the north side of the house affords guests their own private outdoor space, and privacy from the neighbor. Similarly, the second level master suite opens to an outdoor private roof deck. Light and Access. The wide open interior stair with a glass panel rail leads from the top level down to the well insulated basement. The design of the basement, used as an away/play space, addresses the need for both natural light and easy access. In addition to the open stairwell, light is admitted to the north side of the area with a high performance, Passive House (PHI) certified skylight, covering a six by sixteen foot area. On the south side, a unique roof hatch set flush with the deck opens to reveal a glass door at the base of the stairwell which provides additional light and access from the deck above down to the play space. Energy. Energy consumption is reduced by the high performance building envelope, high efficiency mechanical systems, and then offset with renewable energy. All windows and doors are made of high performance triple paned glass with thermally broken aluminum frames. The exterior wall assembly employs dense pack cellulose in the stud cavity, a continuous air barrier, and four inches exterior rigid foam insulation. The 10kW rooftop solar electric system provides clean energy production. The final air leakage testing yielded 0.6 ACH 50 - an extremely air tight house, a testament to the well-designed details, progress testing and quality construction. When compared to a new house built to code requirements, this home consumes only 19% of the energy. Architecture & Energy Consulting: ZeroEnergy Design Landscape Design: Soren Deniord Design Paintings: Bernd Haussmann Studio Photos: Eric Roth Photography

Design ideas for a mid-sized modern wood straight staircase in Seattle with open risers and wood railing.

Engineered Oak Stained Wood Stairs 7 1/2 in.
Design ideas for a modern wood straight staircase in Los Angeles with wood risers and wood railing.

This is an example of a small modern metal straight staircase in Chicago with metal risers and metal railing.

This modern lake house is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The residence overlooks a mountain lake with expansive mountain views beyond. The design ties the home to its surroundings and enhances the ability to experience both home and nature together. The entry level serves as the primary living space and is situated into three groupings; the Great Room, the Guest Suite and the Master Suite. A glass connector links the Master Suite, providing privacy and the opportunity for terrace and garden areas. Won a 2013 AIANC Design Award. Featured in the Austrian magazine, More Than Design. Featured in Carolina Home and Garden, Summer 2015.

Based in New York, Old World Stairs & Restoration is a trusted name for any staircase related work in the Manhattan, Brooklyn, and New Jersey.
This is an example of a mid-sized modern wood straight staircase in New York with wood risers.

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern wood straight staircase in Dallas with open risers, metal railing and panelled walls.

Diseño residencial finalista en los Premios Porcelanosa. Una vivienda llena de contrastes en la que destacan la geometría y las texturas. Fotografía: Germán Cabo

Design ideas for a mid-sized modern straight staircase in Austin with wood railing.

© Lori Hamilton Photography © Lori Hamilton Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized modern wood straight staircase in Miami with metal risers and metal railing.

Located in the Midtown East neighborhood of Turtle Bay, this project involved combining two separate units to create a duplex three bedroom apartment. The upper unit required a gut renovation to provide a new Master Bedroom suite, including the replacement of an existing Kitchen with a Master Bathroom, remodeling a second bathroom, and adding new closets and cabinetry throughout. An opening was made in the steel floor structure between the units to install a new stair. The lower unit had been renovated recently and only needed work in the Living/Dining area to accommodate the new staircase. Given the long and narrow proportion of the apartment footprint, it was important that the stair be spatially efficient while creating a focal element to unify the apartment. The stair structure takes the concept of a spine beam and splits it into two thin steel plates, which support horizontal plates recessed into the underside of the treads. The wall adjacent to the stair was clad with vertical wood slats to physically connect the two levels and define a double height space. Whitewashed oak flooring runs through both floors, with solid white oak for the stair treads and window countertops. The blackened steel stair structure contrasts with white satin lacquer finishes to the slat wall and built-in cabinetry. On the upper floor, full height electrolytic glass panels bring natural light into the stair hall from the Master Bedroom, while providing privacy when needed. archphoto.com

This area really comes together by not drawing too much attention to one item, mixing species and colors really makes for a unique entrance into home.

2,500 square foot home for an architect located in SIloam Springs, Arkansas. It has received a Merit Award from the Arkansas Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and has achieved a USGBC LEED for Homes Silver certification. Amenities include bamboo floors, paper countertops, ample natural light, and open space planning. Äkta Linjen means “authentic lines” in Swedish. Feyerabend Photoartists

Large modern wood straight staircase in Vancouver with open risers and metal railing.

Shadow newel cap in White Oak with metal balusters.
Photo of a mid-sized modern carpeted straight staircase in Portland with carpet risers and mixed railing.