Czech Out Another Alternating Tread Bookcase Stair
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 03. 7.08
It is by Adam Jirkal, Jerry Koza and Tomáš Kalhous in what looks like a renovation and addition in Všenory, Czech Republic. The stair appears to be made of slats of wood bolted together. Oh, to have building codes that let a thousand architectural flowers bloom. ::Archiweb via ::Materialicious
See also Bigger Better Bookcase Stair
The first image of the Alter-nating stairs looks like chairs stacked up next to each other. Got me thinking...
There is a good reason why these stairs don't conform to building codes in many nations. They're potentially unsafe and restrict access.
Small children and the elderly may (would likely) find these stairs difficult to use. There is no guard rail. An eldrly person who fell may do themselves serious injury. The alternating step design means that people who need to take one step at a time (children and the elderly) wouldn't be able to climb them safely. ...
I'm not convinced that the stairs would save any resources compared to conventional staris, and quite possibly, they use more.
Sometimes building codes have a purpose.
Sustainability isn't just about being innovative and making small savings in resources here and there. Its also about the long term life of things. If the home occupant needed to have the stairs re-modelled in later life after having children or growing old, then these 'innovative' stairs would only prove to be a waste of resources and effort.
Furthermore, if somebody fell off them end ended up spending several months in hospital, then you really have to quetion whether they contributed anything to sustainability at all.
The previous comments about restricted access etc are valid, but the point of these types of staircases is to save space where you have limited space
nojo, češi už jsou všude :-)
The Alternating Tread Stair can be code compliant if there are railings on both sides, if access to the mezzanine is less than 250s.f and if not serving more than 5 occupants. As mentioned above, they are only used to conserve space in tight floor plans. The designer of the residence above is taking on a risk of their own to not have installed railings at all (but that is Europe for you)
These are an alternative to drop ladders many are accustomed to, to get to an attic space. You certainly wouldn't use them to get to anything but a mezzanine. playround equiptment certainly has steep steps with a grab rail of course and peaple don't freak out over that.
These are an alternative to drop ladders many are accustomed to, to get to an attic space. You certainly wouldn't use them to get to anything but a mezzanine. playround equiptment certainly has steep steps with a grab rail of course and peaple don't freak out over that.