RT Edgar Enclave Magazine - Edition 17

Enclave

05.03.25 – 18.03.25

For over 125 years, RT Edgar has been a premier destination for selling the finest residential properties across Metro Melbourne suburbs, the Coast, and Country regions. With 17 offices across Victoria, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional service and expertise in the real estate market.

Home Series: The Art of a Staircase

Combining art and design with form and function, a showstopping staircase is a creative fusion of architecture, engineering, and sculpture that transcends its core purpose of simply connecting the floors of a home.

The earliest examples of staircase design date back to ancient Egypt and Greece. In Roman times, staircases became sculptural status symbols with ornate columns and statuary incorporated into their design, whilst later in medieval Europe, the primary purpose of steep spiral stairways in castles and forts was for protection and security. It was during the Renaissance, that Leonardo Da Vinci’s innovative double helix staircase at Chateau de Chambord in France elevated staircase design to a veritable art form.

Contemporary design innovations, advanced building techniques, and engineering ingenuity has resulted in a new era of stunning staircases that range from the minimalist lines of floating stairs to the free-form.

A 6.2m-high void with a feature helical staircase, that appears to float above the space.

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Inspired by Da Vinci’s genius more than 500 years ago, contemporary spiral, helical or elliptical staircases are sculptural masterpieces that create impressive entries and appear to float in space adding a sense of elegance and beauty to sky-high voids.

Straight or angular staircases also appeal to contemporary, minimalist design aesthetics, such as floating, steel ribbon, or stacked concrete with glass balustrades. Examples of integrating design with functionality are when the underside of a U-shaped timber staircase becomes an architectural feature, or custom joinery is built into the staircase structure.

Beautifully crafted to time-honoured standards and traditionally positioned in a home’s entry hall, a grand sweeping staircase with ornate timber or iron balustrades magnifies the home’s dimensions and clearly defines the home’s style, such as French Provincial, Arts & Craft, or English Manor.

Exquisitely sculptured curved staircase, an artwork in itself. U-shaped timber underside becomes architectural feature.

The grand reception is framed by a sweeping double staircase.

Hand-plastered helical staircase.

Leonardo Da Vinci’s double helix staircase at Chateau de Chambord in France.