Bisca Staircases

A sustainable staircase reclaimed from land and sea

The client was remodelling and modernising a brick and stone farmhouse near Hartlepool. Local materials reclaimed by the homeowner were the inspiration for the design of a new staircase to be located in a newly created triple-height entrance space providing a link between old and new. Each project begins with a blank slate, a site visit and listening to the homeowner’s aspirations,. Every element of the design and build is approached on an individual basis - there are no templates or preconstructed parts. CAD designs are created and once approved, materials are proposed and sourced. However, this project was unusual in that existing materials were the starting point for the design which creating a new challenge for the design team.

The home owner is a strong advocate of repurposing, giving materials a new lease of life. Using recycled materials was an important part of the vision for the whole renovation. 30 years ago the homeowner’s father was given

a substantial quantity of Greenheart timber - an extremely dense durable timber used in heavy duty , marine and freshwater construction. Beautifully figured and aged, with a distinctive colour the wood had formed harbour props as part of a 150 year old port expansion. They were pulled from the harbour in 1990 when the Teeside Development Corporation stripped out the redundant port, deemed waste they were given away to local farmers. The homeowner was keen to use the wood in the renovation and needed a bespoke specialist to incorporate it into the staircase.

The design had to provide honesty and integrity and show off the beauty of the timber. Bisca developed the design around the dimension of the harbour props, cutting and shaping the treads which were cantilevered from the wall. Each piece of timber was surveyed and hand-selected for its character, particularly the fissures and cracks which emphasised its previous role. Going from a marine to a domestic environment could mean that the cracks would open up as the timber continued to dry out, so Bisca designed bespoke butterfly keys, finished to match the spindles, that essentially tie the timber together to maintain the structural integrity for generations to come. The open treads allow views through the feature window to the countryside beyond.

The balustrade of hand-forged steel uprights with a blackened finish is a nod to the agricultural heritage of the home. A sculptural oak newel post rises from the floor and transitions into the handrail which runs the full length of the staircase and sweeps onto the first floor landing.

The final element further strengthening the connection to the surrounding environment is a feature stone tread. The stone, originally part of the ‘Baltic Chamber Arch’ demolished in 1996, was discovered at a haulage yard and taken back to the farm on a tractor and trailer. Added at the foot of the staircase it contrasts with, but is empathetic to, the brick walls of the hallway.

Bisca staircases are 100% bespoke. Each project begins with a blank slate, a site visit and listening to the homeowner’s aspirations,.