Featured Gold Winner: Robert Thomas Iron Design, North Charleston, South Carolina

Description of project: The residential interior spiral staircase with integrated catwalk called for forged steel construction with live oak wood treads. The Robert Thomas Iron Design team worked directly with the client to create a spiral staircase with catwalk for their 18th Century carriage house. All parts of this project were forged in-house. Taking inspiration from the beautiful timber frame joinery in the room, the project was designed to have a traditional and slightly rustic look. All components are joined with friction-fit joinery, mainly the use of mortise and tenon joints held together with wedges. Rivets and hammered tenons were also used throughout the design to give it a traditional feel and put emphasis on the craftsmanship of the project.