deVOL's extraordinary spiral stone staircase

We were honoured and delighted that such a high end furniture maker as the deVOL kitchens company has chosen us to design and manufacture this extraordinary spiral solid limestone staircase for their new showroom at Cotes Mill in Loughborough. Being able to showcase our high end products and leaving a trace of  our knowledge and skills at such a historic place as the Mill makes us very proud. The images show the making of a stone model we made to give all craftsmen involved an understanding  of the complexity of this staircase. It become very clear to everyone the moment they assembled it in the traditional way where the Achille's heel is and what changes by applying our new innovative ways.

 

Traditionally,  a spiral staircase like this would have a supporting wall or columns to carry the load but we wanted to push those boundaries and created an entirely free standing one instead. We wanted to create something dramatic and surprising, a Wow effect for all visitors that keeps them wondering how this staircase can "work".

Naturally, these kinds of designs have been achieved in concrete, metal or wood for years but given the weight of natural stone and the restrictions you face by working with solid stone, this is quite an innovation in a smart design. The beauty clearly lies in the paradox of a this very heavy material and ultra light design on the other hand.