The History of the Spiral Staircase: Part 2
In our last post we learned about some of the oldest known spiral staircases and the popularisation of spiral stairs by the Romans, followed by their increasingly common use in castles and fortified buildings throughout the Medieval era.
With spiral staircases being associated with kings and castles, it is not surprising that they became a desirable feature for the wealthy to incorporate into their homes. An excellent example of this is the magnificent spiral staircase at the Chateau de Chambord in the Loire Valley, which was built in the early 16th Century. This takes the form of two spiral staircases, intertwined to form a double-helix. Many experts believe that this superb feat of design and engineering was the work of Leonardo da Vinci, who was living close by at the time of its construction.
Spiral staircases were also increasingly incorporated into churches and cathedrals. They were a very practical and space efficient way of ascending tall structures such as spires and bell towers. However, they also gave architects and builders an opportunity to add beauty and inspiration to their buildings, through the impressive use of spiral staircase design.
In the UK, one of the most notable examples is the Dean’s Staircase at St Paul’s Cathedral. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren, this world-famous staircase rises up to the Whispering Gallery. (Fans of Harry Potter will recognise this staircase immediately as it has featured in the movies).
Even in more recent cathedral design, the spiral staircase continues to play a prominent part. In Barcelona, Gaudi’s masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia, features a beautiful stone spiral staircase in its Passion Tower which attracts visitors from all over the world.
In Victorian times, cast iron spiral staircases became popular for homes and for public buildings. These were able to be designed to a customer’s specification and could be finished in a range of elaborate designs. These were not only functional and practical but also objects of beauty in their own right.
In the latter half of the 20th century, it became very cost effective to produce the frames for spiral staircases in steel. This made them affordable for a much wider market and they became a more frequent feature of modern houses and apartments. At the same time, the use of steel spiral staircases as fire escape stairs became widespread in many types of building.
Today, classic spiral staircases can be made in a wide variety of materials, including steel, wood, concrete and glass. For our external kit stairs, available in straight as well as spiral DIY staircase configurations, we use steel for a durable finish that fits well with all types of building. If you would like to discuss your staircase kit requirements, please do not hesitate to contact our team of experts who can give you all the advice you need.
