Why choose an architectural staircase?
More and more, interior design is giving pride of place to open spaces. For multi-storey houses, duplexes and triplex apartments, this means that staircases need to be integrated into the desired atmosphere.
The architectural staircase becomes a central piece of the design. Lightweight, practical and integrated are all recurring requests from our customers. At JOA, we see the staircase as the character piece that sets the tone for your interior. Space is exploited to the full. An architectural staircase with perfect integration highlights the original character of the room. In an old-fashioned staircase, moldings are highlighted and protected, and the slightest feature of the room is integrated.
We don’t just come and stand in front. The example featured in this article is a perfect reflection of this. A curved alcove, recessed ceilings and moldings were all taken into consideration by JOA’s designers to create this staircase.
The JOA Up model
The flagship model in the JOA range, the Up architectural staircase is also extremely versatile. It can be adapted to a wide range of situations: straight, quarter-turn, double-quarter-turn, with walkway, with or without railing on the upper floor.
It adapts to architecture and enhances it. Lightweight and suspended, it’s made from noble, durable materials. Solid wood (oak or bamboo) and steel ensure unfailing strength, while remaining lightweight. The system, designed by Sébastien Boucquey, is based on a suspended principle. Thin steel stringers fixed along the wall ensure the stability of the steps, while long steel hangers secure the whole. The 40mm solid wood steps are much thinner and lighter than a floating staircase. And yet, no risers are required. Our customers are always surprised the first time they climb a JOA staircase; the treads are very stable both up and down the stairs.
Contact us here to discuss your staircase project.
An architectural staircase with multiple functions
An integral part of interior design, architectural staircases must be adaptable to the needs of their users. Whether in large or small spaces, where every square meter counts, the staircase can take on several functions. Our aim is to make each function as ergonomic as possible: desk, sideboard, banquette, TV cabinet or, as in this case, bookcase…
Designed in collaboration with Brussels-based architecture studio Ella, this all-steel bookcase enhances the Up staircase. Starting with a truly unusual architectural design, with a large, recessed alcove that the customers absolutely wanted to keep, not without reason, it nevertheless posed the technical challenge of fixing it to the staircase wall. A simple solution would have been to produce a very thick, self-supporting stringer completely closing off this alcove. This would have been an unsightly solution, taking away the alcove’s function. In keeping with our desire to offer projects that integrate with the architecture, the idea of integrating a bookcase was born with the project’s architects. In addition to giving the alcove a real function, it also enabled the stringer to be offset while providing a solid means of attachment.
An architectural success
The resulting project sublimates the room. The solid oak of the steps echoes the parquet floor, the light steel ensemble creates a play of shadows that evolves with the hours of the day and the seasons. The colored books brought an additional pep and a soul to the whole. A perfect combo for exceptional results.
That’s the power of custom design! Thanks again to Ella Studio for their trust.
Find many other configurations of Up stairs or our other models by following this link.