This is an example of a mid-sized traditional wood l-shaped staircase in Sydney with wood risers and wood railing.

photo: Paul Grdina
Mid-sized transitional wood u-shaped staircase in Vancouver with wood risers and wood railing.

The beautiful craftsmanship of the early 1900's is standing the test of time.
Traditional wood u-shaped staircase in Seattle with wood risers and wood railing.

The Balmoral House is located within the lower north-shore suburb of Balmoral. The site presents many difficulties being wedged shaped, on the low side of the street, hemmed in by two substantial existing houses and with just half the land area of its neighbours. Where previously the site would have enjoyed the benefits of a sunny rear yard beyond the rear building alignment, this is no longer the case with the yard having been sold-off to the neighbours. Our design process has been about finding amenity where on first appearance there appears to be little. The design stems from the first key observation, that the view to Middle Harbour is better from the lower ground level due to the height of the canopy of a nearby angophora that impedes views from the first floor level. Placing the living areas on the lower ground level allowed us to exploit setback controls to build closer to the rear boundary where oblique views to the key local features of Balmoral Beach and Rocky Point Island are best. This strategy also provided the opportunity to extend these spaces into gardens and terraces to the limits of the site, maximising the sense of space of the 'living domain'. Every part of the site is utilised to create an array of connected interior and exterior spaces The planning then became about ordering these living volumes and garden spaces to maximise access to view and sunlight and to structure these to accommodate an array of social situations for our Client’s young family. At first floor level, the garage and bedrooms are composed in a linear block perpendicular to the street along the south-western to enable glimpses of district views from the street as a gesture to the public realm. Critical to the success of the house is the journey from the street down to the living areas and vice versa. A series of stairways break up the journey while the main glazed central stair is the centrepiece to the house as a light-filled piece of sculpture that hangs above a reflecting pond with pool beyond. The architecture works as a series of stacked interconnected volumes that carefully manoeuvre down the site, wrapping around to establish a secluded light-filled courtyard and terrace area on the north-eastern side. The expression is 'minimalist modern' to avoid visually complicating an already dense set of circumstances. Warm natural materials including off-form concrete, neutral bricks and blackbutt timber imbue the house with a calm quality whilst floor to ceiling glazing and large pivot and stacking doors create light-filled interiors, bringing the garden inside. In the end the design reverses the obvious strategy of an elevated living space with balcony facing the view. Rather, the outcome is a grounded compact family home sculpted around daylight, views to Balmoral and intertwined living and garden spaces that satisfy the social needs of a growing young family. Photo Credit: Clinton Weaver

Photo Credit: Matthew Momberger
Expansive modern wood floating staircase in Los Angeles with open risers and metal railing.

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional wood u-shaped staircase in Portland with wood risers and wood railing.

Photo Credit: Kaskel Photo
Mid-sized country wood u-shaped staircase in Chicago with wood risers and wood railing.

Inspiration for a large country wood u-shaped staircase in Charleston with wood risers and wood railing.

平井広行
This is an example of a modern staircase in Tokyo Suburbs.

平井広行
Modern staircase in Tokyo Suburbs.

A Brilliant Photo - Agneiszka Wormus
Expansive arts and crafts wood straight staircase in Denver with wood risers.

Michael J Lee
Traditional wood u-shaped staircase in Boston with painted wood risers.

Design ideas for an expansive midcentury wood curved staircase in Cleveland with wood risers.

Inspiration for a large traditional wood l-shaped staircase in Portland Maine with wood risers and wood railing.

Large country wood u-shaped staircase in Denver with wood risers and wood railing.

Custom Rustic Walnut Parquet with Stone Insets
Large mediterranean wood curved staircase in Orange County with wood risers.

Kevin Meechan Photography
This is an example of an expansive traditional wood u-shaped staircase in Other with wood risers, wood railing and wood walls.

Curved entry stair
Expansive traditional wood curved staircase in San Francisco with wood risers and wood railing.

Finished stairs with new railings, oak treads and painted risers
Design ideas for a traditional wood straight staircase in Cedar Rapids with painted wood risers and mixed railing.