Stairs, Second Edition-----Direct Download

Publication Date: July 23, 2001 | ISBN-10: 0750648465 | ISBN-13: 978-0750648462 | Edition: 2

Stairs are a fundamental and universal feature of buildings. The late Alan Blanc had a lifetime's obsession with stairs and steps and provided a definitive reference source that bridges the aesthetic and practical aspects of staircase design. His wife Sylvia, who worked with him on the first edition, presents this updated, abridged version alongside a complimentary web site where the historical elements of the subjects are described and discussed in pictures and diagrams.

The book is a practical guide to designing circulation spaces. It is extensively detailed with working drawings and photographs. Construction methods using a variety of materials are discussed as well as the influence of new technology on vertical circulation. The guidance on codes and regulations covers the UK and US. The latest high profile international case studies inspire and inform the reader. 

*Well established author team

*Fully revised to take account of current building regulations

*International case studies featuring up-to-date examples

Download Link below

Stairs, 2nd Edition (BBS)

REX architecture: project R6 - yongsan international business district

'project R6' by REX architecture, yongsan international business district, seoul, korea
image © luxigon

new york-based REX architecture has developed 'project R6' an urban boutique residence for short-term business people, young urban professionals and foreign tenants located in the dream hub yongsan international business district (YIBD), seoul, korea. due to the transience of its target users and the brief duration for which they are home, the unit sizes are small, measuring 40 m2, 50 m2, and 60 m2.

the tower is situated in a narrow parcel bounded by the mountain park which includes a children’s interactive spray park, rail road museum, outdoor amphitheater, yongsan station esplanade and the central park which is adjacent to hangang-ro area. by placing the building to the south of this block, all units command great views and the structural forms a gateway to the YIBD.


view across courtyard
image © luxigon

by pulling layers of the typical housing tower in opposing directions, the small units maintain their size, but are stretched into favorable proportions that provide views and daylight from both sides, cross-ventilation, and creates a sense of community through the development of a central courtyard, roof terraces andconversation/reading/play pods. 

the stretched layers are strategically positioned to develop adequate continuity of the building’s primary structure: 
a concrete-encased steel mega-brace that encircles the courtyard. the support reinforces a shelf-like matrix of walls and floor slabs that define each dwelling. each ledge is inserted a wooden shell containing a bathroom on one side and a kitchen on the other.

a movable wall, using standard compact shelving technology, shifts within the unit to define a bedroom which is adjacent to the bathroom or a living room  which adjoins the kitchen. the partition includes a bed, nightstands, a couch, a television mount, task lighting and storage.


floor to ceiling interior facade
image © REX

a high-performance exterior and interior facade which is composed of frameless IGUs (insulated glass units) emphasizes the remarkable views while black-out and shade roller blinds control sunlight and glare, providing spatial relief and maintaining privacy.


facade is composed of frameless IGUs equipped with black-out and shade roller blinds
image © REX


high-performance facade 
image © REX


interior black-out and shade roller blinds control sunlight and glare
image © REX


moveable wall in bedroom position, looking out to seoul
image © REX


moveable wall in living room position, looking into courtyard
image © REX


exterior view
image © luxigon


view from hangang-ro area
image © luxigon


size of typical unitsimage © REX


typical treatment of unit views, sun and ventilation image © REX
standard housing tower
image © REX


tower concept pulls layers in opposing directions maintaining unit sizes
image © REX


form creates more views, access to daylight and cross ventilation
image © REX


sense of community is created through a central courtyard, roof terraces and conversation/reading/play pods
image © REX


stretched layers are positioned to maximize daylight
image © REX


concrete-encased steel mega-brace enriches courtyard space
image © REX


mega-brace supports a shelf-like matrix of walls and floor slabs that defines each unit
image © REX


into each shelf is a wooden shell containing a bathroom on one side and a kitchen on the other
image © REX


moveable wall
image © REX


partition includes a bed, nightstands, couch, television mount, task lights and storage
image © REX


unit A2 bedroom floor plan 
image © REX


unit A2 living room floor plan 
image © REX


unit B2 bedroom floor plan 
image © REX


unit B2 living room floor plan 
image © REX

unit C2 bedroom floor plan 
image © REX


unit C2 living room floor plan 
image © REX


residential 'brace plan' 
image © REX


residential 'brace plan' with terrace
image © REX


residential 'horseshoe plan' 
image © REX


residential 'horseshoe plan' with terrace
image © REX


residential 'loop plan'image © REX


amenities plan
image © REX


section
image © REX


site plan
image © REX


community and spatial reliefs
image © REX



detail of cross-ventilation
image © REX


project info:


client: dreamhub project financing vehicle co., ltd.
program: 47,800 m2 luxury housing for short-term residents, 27,000 m2 of retail and 929 parking stalls
area: 115,500 m2
construction budget: confidential
status commenced: 2011 
completed schematic design: 2012
completion: expected 2016
design architect: rex 
key personnel: tiago barros, adam chizmar, danny duong, luis gil, gabriel jewell-vitale, seokhun kim, armen menendian, romea muryń, roberto otero,
se yoon park, joshua prince-ramus, lena reeh rasmussen and yuan tiauriman
executive architect: mooyoung
consultants: barker mohandas, buro happold, front, level acoustics, magnusson klemencic, scape, shen milsom wilke and tillotson design

NL architects: Bicycle Club

'bicycle club' by NL architects, hainan, china
all images courtesy of NL architects

'bicycle club' is a pavilion dedicated to bicycling in hainan, china designed by amsterdam-based NL architects.
a rooftop cycling arena is supported by a glass-enclosed cafe at ground level. the oval-footprint structure's protruding canopy 
is essential due to the tropical climate, shading the perimeter seating. the elegant upward curvature of the eaves evokes 
the form of the traditional and functional pagoda.

visitors set their bicycles within a recessed trough and easily walk up two staircases to the open-air velodrome. 
the area beneath by the stairs contains and conceals public restrooms. part of a resort club, guests may rent from the facility 
incorporated into the entry.
rooftop bicycle track appears to float above a glass-enclosed cafe at ground level
pavilion within context
approach to the pavilion
side view
aerial view
aerial view of rooftop bicycle track
floor plan / level 0

roof plan

section

UNstudio: Arnhem Central Platform Roofs

'arnhem central station - platform roofs' by UNstudio
photos by Ronald Tilleman
arnhem central in the netherlands is a hub for several regional routes and high speed trains which run between the 
neighbouring country of germany. as passenger numbers continue to grow, the railway station's infrastructure is being 
substantially revitalized. most recently, a fourth platform has been added, and all of the roofs have been replaced with a 
new design developed by dutch architecture practice UNstudio.
the overall concept of the transportation hub is composed of structural spans embedded with large roof lights, 
which add a sense of brightness and space to the environment, offering an overall positive experience to the transfer platforms 
and their surroundings. an elevated footbridge connects the passenger waiting areas with each other and the north entrance to the train station. 
an electrified system has also been incorporated into the roof structure, providing a uniform appearance across the entire terminal. 
last july, the platform tunnel opened to the public, while construction of the transfer terminal will happen in two phases, 
and is set to open for service in 2014. 


stairway leading up to one of the platforms


view of the new roof infrastructure


night view of one of the new platform roofs


alternative view of central arnhem

project info:

client: prorail, utrecht
location: arnhem, the netherlands
use: platform roofs with integrated elevated footbridge for (high speed) train station gross roof area: approximately 8700 m²
dimensions: 4 platform roofs of approximately 210 metres long, with varying widths from 9-14 metres
structure and materials: steel, aluminum and cold formed glass roofs
start of construction: 2009
completion date: 2011
advisors
unstudio: ben van berkel with arjan dingsté and marc hoppermann, marc herschel, derrick diporedjo, kristin sandner, rein werkhoven
engineering: movares
contractor: bam-dura vermeer
photos: ronald tilleman