{"id":33333,"date":"2017-10-02T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-10-02T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/architizer.com\/blog-test\/how-to-specify-stairs-and-railing-2\/"},"modified":"2022-05-31T06:16:10","modified_gmt":"2022-05-31T10:16:10","slug":"how-to-specify-stairs-and-railing-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/architizer.com\/blog\/practice\/details\/how-to-specify-stairs-and-railing-2\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Specify: Stairs and Railing"},"content":{"rendered":"

The jury is deliberating... stay tuned for the winners of<\/i> Architizer's A+Product Awards<\/i><\/span><\/a>! Register for the <\/i>A+Product Awards Newsletter<\/i><\/span><\/a> to receive future program updates.<\/i><\/p>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Whenever I think about designing stairs, I think about my first year in architecture school. I remember building basic models for some simple program like a two-story house, nothing too special. I would cut out floor plates, throw some fa\u00e7ades on it \u2014 no sweat. Then, I would realize with a groan, I had to build the stair. Suddenly I was sweating over rise and runs and cutting dozens of little chipboard strips into the wee hours, trying not to slice my fingertips off. Argh, stairs!<\/p>\n

In real life, the act of designing, specifying and constructing stairs and railings is equally challenging. There is a range of products that go into them from treads to balustrades, and, despite the many safety regulations that proscribe their design, no two stairs are exactly alike.<\/p>\n

The most complicated information you\u2019ll probably need to provide is the dimensions of the installation space and your desired components. Beyond that, think about the form, color and material you envision for the steps, handrails, balustrades or ramps. Do you want glass or bronze balustrades? Or maybe some metal mesh?<\/p>\n

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\u00a9 Craig A Williams<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n

Westminster Residence<\/a> by <\/i>PLANT Architect Inc.<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

Stairs can be highly customized, especially in single-family residences. Check out our collection of recessed handrails here. Large-scale institutional projects can also have showstopper circulation moments. Consider integrating seating into steps like in DS+R<\/a>\u2019s Vagelos Center, below, or in many of the projects in this collection<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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The Roy and Diana Vagelos Education Center designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro in collaboration with Gensler; left: image via designboom<\/a>; right: image via Dezeen<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n

Components<\/b><\/p>\n

To design a complete stair, there are going to be a range of products that you will need from a variety of different manufacturers.<\/p>\n