We choose some of our favourite staircases, from a viewing platform in Holland to a modern floating staircase in a 300 year-old house in Tel Aviv

Royal William Yard by Gillespie Yunnie Architects

Photo: Richard Downer

Tasked by developer Urban Splash with designing a new staircase to link the historic Royal William Yard (a building whose original function was to supply food and rum to the Royal Navy) in Plymouth to the South West Coast path above the site, Gillespie Yunnie Architects could have gone for something 'sympathetic' to the 19 century architecture of the building. Instead they went all out modern, creating a dramatic illuminated set of cantilevered stairs, which allow walkers to pass through previously impregnable walls.

After dark, concealed LED ribbon lights beneath the handrails wash the entire inner surfaces with an ever changing river of colour; 'a bit of fun, and brightness in the otherwise dark, hard context of the old military site,' say the architects, 'and reminiscent of seaside promenades across the country.'

Photo: Richard Downer

Photo: Richard Downer

The Elastic Perspective, by NEXT architects

Photo: Sander Meisner

One of our absolute favourites, this staircase-cum-viewing platform in Holland was designed by Amsterdam-based NEXT architects. Its rusted steel surface is surprisingly compimentary to the green grass on which it sits. The giant circular stair, its shape inspired by the Möbius Strip, lifts visitors up to height that gives unobstucted views over the countryside and the nearby skyline of Rotterdam.

Photo: Sander Meisner

Photo: Sander Meisner

Living Staircase, by Paul Cocksedge

Image: Paul Cocksedge

Living walls have been a trend in office design for some time, but British designer Paul Cocksedge has taken the idea and run with it, designing a living staircase for this office in London.

Image: Paul Cocksedge

The spiral staircase overflows with an abundance of living foliage, and also features a series of circular landings where employees can relax and take a few moments to enjoy the natural world before they head back to their desks.

Minimalist apartment, Sydney, by Adrian Amore

Photo: Fraser Marsden

Forming the centrepiece of this gorgeous minimalist apartment in Melbourne designed by Adrian Amore, this twisting sinuous staircase looks different from almost every angle, seeming to create infinite beguiling views. The staircase sits at the converging point in the space, twisting, and soaring up towards a recreational roof terrace which overlooks the city. Black stairs contrast with the curving white balustrade, to make this staircase incredibly photogenic.

Photo: Fraser Marsden

Photo: Fraser Marsden

Staircase/bookcase by sundaymorning and Massimo Fiorido Associati

Photo: sundaymorning studio

Nowadays, most of us have had to become adept at multitasking - so why shouldn't our furniture do the same? This staircase/bookcase in a house in Tuscany, designed by sundaymorning and Massimo Fiorido Associati, helpfully obliges, while also managing to be stunningly attractive.

Photo: sundaymorning studio

The local pinewood used to construct the staircase is also used throughout the rest of the interior.

Modern staircase inside a 300 year old house in Tel Aviv, by Pitsou Kedem Architects

Architecture : Pitsou Kedem

Design team: Pitsou Kedem, Raz Melamed, Irene Goldberg



Photo: Amit Geron

Asked to renovate a 300 year-old house in Tel Aviv into a modem residence, architect Pitsou Kedem Architects created an exquisite balance of old and new, not least in this minimalist floating staircase.

Photo: Amit Geron

The staircase is, which contests beautifully with the original stone walls thought to date from the 17th century, is set in an exposed concrete wall made from a rough wooden mould on one side and has a railing of steel cables on the other.

Photo: Amit Geron