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The Miles Stair, Somerset House
Location
London
Year
2011
Architect
Eva Jiricna Architects
A feature staircase for Grade I Listed Somerset House incorporates treads of highly-engineered fibre reinforced concrete supported on a lattice of stainless steel.
Awards
Structural Award (IStructE), Small Project Special Commendation, 2014
ACE Engineering Excellence Awards, Project
Design Award, 2014
The four storey structure has 104 steps and landings fixed together with traditional shear keys modified to accommodate the high forces generated by the spiral form. Moulds were hand-made in northern Italy and components cast to close fit.
The structural system is based on a conventional scissor stair with additional support from rod suspension systems. The stainless steel newel, manufactured in Newcastle, functions as a vibration damper.
