In the renovation of a 5,050 sf (469.2 m²) multilevel residence in Kitchener, Ont., steel details introduce clean lines and a contemporary geometric style to the project.
Designed by Reigo & Bauer, a new white welded-steel staircase anchors the new design.
Merike Bauer, designer and co-founder at R&B notes, “Steel was selected for its strength and lightness. To contrast the heavier stone piers throughout the project it was important that this piece be a counterbalance and steel was the only material that could achieve this.”
The sculptural stair, fabricated from metal by FlatOut Industries, rises through the double-height entry hall. Its underside exposes the articulation of the treads and risers, while a slender balustrade follows the curve of a solid bronze handrail.
Bauer explains the structural elements that enable the unique shape: “By welding the treads to the thin plate walls of the balustrade the stair in effect became a unified twisting beam, secured only at the top and bottom.”
The staircase replaces an undersized stair positioned to one side of the space.
The visual effect created by this combination of curvature in the railing and stairway wall, the angular shape of the stairs, and the contrast between clean white steel and warm, shimmering bronze is cohesive and befitting of the owner’s sophisticated vision and complementing other materials throughout the home.
“The choice of metal finishes throughout the project was part of creating a material palette of variety,” shares Bauer. “The rough stone piers have a very strong presence in the home and the metal finishes were used sparingly as accents. The tone and warmth of the bronze is on elements that are touched, like handrails, or door hardware. Whereas we chose a satin white paint finish for the steel of the staircase as its sculptural form was bold and the color was intended to be homogenous with the plaster walls throughout.”
A second white steel stair connects the entry level to the basement. It pivots sharply as it descends, with a bronze handrail that terminates at the floor.
On the lower level, a custom oil-rubbed-steel rack system organizes bottles in a sunken wine cellar, with hexagonal perforations joining the geometric expression of metal’s materiality throughout the home.
—With files from Reigo & Bauer via v2com.
