Category L: Stairs Complete - Commercial
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Gold: Crystal Metalworks
Title of Entry: Academic Research Building Monumental Stairs
Materials: Carbon steel plate, HSS tube, angle, glass, SS pipe, LED lighting
Finish: Matte white; high performance epoxy paint
Total Labor Hours: 8,000
This stunning Monumental Stair project consists of two curved, freestanding cantilevered stairways, stacked to give the appearance of a 24-foot diameter double helix. Emerald Ironworks worked jointly with the architect to keep the desired open aesthetic look while maintaining the structural integrity required. The main stringers are fabricated from 2" x 24" steel plates with a side-mounted steel glazing shoe to hold the 3/4" laminated glass guardrail.
Integration of the custom glazing shoes and handrail posts created separate panels for the design to hold the glass. The handrail is stainless-steel pipe with LED lighting.
Emerald Ironworks faced the large challenge of blending the design intent of the stair with the structural attachments of the building structure. The landings needed to give the appearance of wrapping curved structural members with continuous glazing shoes, but the supporting structure had to be elegantly hidden in the structural soffits under the landings at each floor connection. They succeeded, and the beautiful results speak for themselves.
