Stairs

"Architecture should not only facilitate movement but also interaction, adaptability, and creativity – a vision championed by renowned architect Herman Hertzberger."

I was recently privileged to speak at the SCAPE Trade Show. I chose to focus on how Herman Hertzberger (the renowned Dutch architect and professor emeritus of the Delft University of Technology) reimagined everyday architectural elements, such as passages and staircases, transforming them from mere transitional zones into dynamic, interactive spaces.

His architectural philosophy is rooted in creating spaces that foster human interaction and adaptability. At BPAS Architects, we’ve taken Hertzberger's vision a step further by integrating his ideas into our 'people-first' philosophy, crafting spaces that inspire interaction, learning, and flexibility.

Hertzberger suggested that staircases can transcend their traditional role as mere vertical connectors of spaces, by situating them in central, prominent locations, instead of tucking them away and using as little space as possible.

For example, at the Curro Durbanville campus, Hertzberger’s concept of the staircase as more than a vertical connector inspired our design of an atrium that blends movement with gathering spaces. While it fulfils the original purpose of a vertical channel to move people from point A to B, it’s also an amphitheatre, with integrated seating built in. There’s room for people to move through the space, but also to sit in it.

At Curro Edenvale, we needed to create a staircase between the first floor and the ground level, which left a gap in the design. We could have built a storeroom in that space, but instead we broke the space out and created terraced seating on every second step. This area can be used as an additional classroom, so now the staircase is part of the formal education space. We’ve combined a teaching venue, vertical scale, seating and a corridor all into one space.

As we look ahead, we remain committed to creating dynamic, multifunctional spaces that prioritise human interaction and adaptability – principles at the heart of our architectural vision.

Where have you seen interesting design of staircases? Leave a comment – we’re always looking for design inspiration!

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