Georgian Spiral Staircase for a Grade I Listed House

Our LCC range of staircases is a popular choice for Georgian properties, accurately reflecting the restrained, symmetrical aesthetic of the period. When Llewellyn Harker Lowe architects were looking for a replacement for a steep timber staircase on a client’s Grade I listed home, this style offered a natural solution.

Safer Access

The existing staircase was located in the mews building of the property, leading from a garage on the first floor into a vaulted space at garden level on the ground floor. The stairs posed a number of challenges as architect, Joseph Withers, explained:

“The staircase was a steep timber flight of steps, with open risers and insufficient headroom and guarding. This felt very dangerous to navigate, and was clumsily designed and built, so detracted from the character of the historic building. The staircase was heavily used as a rear access into the house but was impractical to use and impossible to climb safely with children or shopping. The client asked us to explore alternative options for this access route that would be safer, more practical and more in keeping with the character of the building.”

The firm considered a couple of options to replace the staircase – such as removing it and installing an external staircase or forming a new circular opening through the vaults and introducing a spiral staircase.

“In the initial pre-app discussion with the planners, the conservation officer indicated that the internal spiral staircase would be the preferred option. We developed the design for that option for full listed building consent application,” Joseph said “We looked online for suppliers who could deliver a traditional style staircase that was fully compliant with the Building Regulations. Through our initial contact with British Spirals & Castings, we established that their product would be the right level of quality we were looking for and the LCC design was appropriate to the character of the building. The standardised parts also make it a cost-effective option which would suit the client’s budget.”  

As with all our cast aluminium staircases, the components for our LCC design staircases are produced at our Staffordshire foundry. We have the patterns to produce the treads, spindles and handrails in a range of standard sizes which can then be combined to create a staircase which is bespoke to the project’s dimensions and requirements. We’re also able to produce one of a kind bespoke designs in a range of materials, if you require.

Small but complex

It was a small but highly complex project – working with the existing building meant that we had to design a solution to fit within the existing constraints, whilst improving on the dangerous access. The complexity of the project required a collaborative approach between the architects, contractor, structural engineer, and British Spirals & Castings.

From the initial measures for the proposed opening, we developed a CAD design for the spiral staircase featuring three square profiled spindles per tread and a simple metal handrail which continues on to the surrounding balustrade on the upper floor. Once these designs were approved, the components were then cast at our foundry before being finished and test constructed at our workshop. The pieces were also powder coated black before being sent on to the site in Bath for installation.

Joseph added: “We were very happy with the service from British Spirals & Castings at every stage. They communicated with us regularly, worked with us to provide drawings for our approval, and designed a bespoke balustrade to suit the circular opening. I briefly met the fitters on site, and they seemed very helpful and competent, and I know the contractor was very impressed with their service throughout the project. The final product was of high quality and fitted perfectly within the space and in keeping with the character of the building. We would definitely recommend them to others and have since specified a spiral stair from BS&C on another one of our projects.” 

If you are interested in having a bespoke staircase or balcony installed in your own property, visit our gallery to view some of the options and submit a quote or get in touch via phone or email.