Willbury Lawn Staircase

The formation of a family staircase linking two flats to form a maisonette in a Grade II Listed property in Hove. Completed 2015. RIBA Stages 0-7

The brief, developed closely with the family, lead to the proposals of a family staircase, small library, contemplation space, cloaks cupboard, storage and hidey-hole, allowing new vertical connection of two apartments.

Through pre application consultation with the Conservation Officer the best location for a new stair was agreed in principal, however the style, material and form of the new stair were required not to be pastiche or of a ‘typical’ contemporary glass and steel solution.

Through design development, the proposed stair has evolved to the form and function of a playful interpretation of a series of interlocking pieces of oak furniture, freestanding within the newly created stair well, forming a place to read and contemplate as well as providing space to hang coats, display and store belongings. The new staircase installation is kept away from the existing walls and mouldings to prevent unsightly interaction between new and old. At its base the stair has a recessed shadow gap and is only delicately fixed to the existing fabric at the existing first floor door opening – a clear and contemporary intervention to this Grade II Listed property.

The new stair was constructed off-site and re-assembled by the excellent joiner, Jodie Flaherty Rigg of Grain Furniture. Through both this project and the furniture he has constructed for the cafe at the Volk's Railway project, both ABIR and Jodie have formed a long term working relationship.