Week 2: The Stair

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Presented are two stair sections, taken from the drawing exercise, and seven 3-D images of the stairs modeled in sketchup. Image 2., 3., 4. are screenshots of the helical staircase, as modeled, and in situ leading up to the gallery room. The helical staircase represents the idea of 'interconnectedness'. Working with Kimura as a client, I focused on the mechanics behind his art. A birds eye view reveals the helical staircase as kinks in a gear sprocket. In elevation, the staircase represents the flow of energy through 'liquid fuel' that passes through a motorbike engine. Image 6., 7., 8. show staircase 2. This is a cantilevered beam system, that acts on the wall for support, and is hollow, allowing for less weight and materials used in design. The slow descending incline gives off the impression of a musical scale; notes are run down the scale until you reach the finale: the long wooden landing, which holds you for a long musical pause. Working with Stradivari, thought has gone into storage space for his various instruments, so the beams extend to the back walls, almost like a bookshelf. The simple wooden design and lacquered finish are reminiscent of Stradivari's violin.