The staircase has existed since the dawn of time for one very specific purpose: to surmount gaps between different levels. For a long time staircases did nothing more than fulfil this aim and so their form was directly determined by their location, but new functions emerged as different civilizations evolved and the specific requirements of certain types of buildings started to influence the form of staircases.

The staircase has existed since the dawn of time for one very specific purpose: to surmount gaps between different levels. For a long time staircases did nothing more than fulfil this aim and so their form was directly determined by their location, but new functions emerged as different civilizations evolved and the specific requirements of certain types of buildings started to influence the form of staircases.

These new functions were mainly the fruit of religious practices that associated staircases with mythological and philosophical concepts, so that, for example, the staircase became an expression of the ascension of the spirit. Even today, this symbolism can still be seen in the pyramids of ancient Egypt and the constructions of the Mayas and the Incas.Later on, secular architecture developed features intended to convey political and economic power and the staircase became a compositional element that acquired an increasing importance in the overall visual impact of many buildings.

However, the form of the staircase is not dependent on different historical styles - their influence barely extends beyond the decorative elements - but it does often embody a set of values or an aspiration towards technical perfection.These concepts became one of the driving forces behind the architectural and esthetic evolution of the staircase and gave rise to extraordinary works of art in every culture, without ever forsaking the staircase’s primary purpose of connecting different levels. When it came to displaying status,the selection of materials was just as important as the function, as a staircase’s cost or technical sophistication symbolized not only the wealth of the person responsible for its construction but also his social and intellectual standing.

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Types

Materials

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Einleitung

Formen

Materialien Details

Introduction

Formes

Materiaux

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