10 Crazy stairs from around the world

Stairs and staircases have been a engineering marvel since the start of the multistory architectural designs. But now in this modern era engineers have taken designing to its utmost limit, here are some of the most amazing staircases from around the world. Top 10 crazy stairs.

Traversinertobel Switzerland Bridge-stair

In Traversinertobel Switzerland you will find an amazing Bridge-stair on a side valley of Via Mala, it is one of its kind amazing staircases from around the world, designed by Engineer Jurg Conzett and his associate Rolf Bachofner. The main engineering problem they faced was the problem of connecting two different elevations over the gorge by creating a staircase. The staircase replaces a rope bridge for hikers that was wiped out by a rock slide. This suspended footbridge spans a distance of 56 metres, with a difference in height of 22 metres between the two ends.

Vertigo Staircase at the Queen Victoria Building Australia

“The Grand Staircase” of Sydney’s Grand Queen Victoria Building Australia is affectionately known as the QVB, was designed and completed 1898 by George McRae, replacing the original Sydney markets on the site. Built as a monument to the long reigning monarch, construction took place in dire times, as Sydney was in a severe recession. The elaborate Romanesque architecture was specially planned for the grand building so the Government could employ many out-of-work craftsmen – stonemasons, plasterers, and stained window artists – in a worthwhile project.

Longchamp Store stairs at New York

It took six months and 1.14 inches of hot rolled steel to build the stairs at Longchamp store, these stairs weight 55 tons and is has a ribbon like form which gives it wave look. They divide and converge to form a topography of walkways, landings and steps.

Umschreibung – KPMG Building Munich (Germany)

This amazing staircase are actually functional and not just a design. Designed by Olafur Eliasson this staircase is called Umschreibung (Rewriting), and was completed in 2004. It’s in the courtyard of the global accounting firm KPMG in Munich. (image source)

 

World’s Longest Mosaic Stair the San Francisco’s Tiled Steps (USA)

This could be the world’s longest mosaic staircase (163 steps, 82′ high) the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps, are , was conceived and fabricated by Irish ceramicist Aileen Barr and San Francisco mosaic artist Colette Crutcher. It took about 2 and half years of hard work by a group of neighbors who raised funds and lobbied city government to make the project, unveiled in August 2005, a reality. Over 2000 handmade tiles and 75,000 fragments of tile, mirror and stained glass went into the finished piece, located at 16th Ave. and Moraga, in San Francisco. (Imagesource)

 

The Lello Bookshop Staircase at Portugal

The amazing grand staircase at Lello Bookshop in Portugal is one its kind. The steps of this staircase are like two channels pouring and swirling to a single point. The side view gives you a closer idea of the immense curves and giddy sinking feeling to each step. (Imagesource)

 

Tulip Staircase design from Queen’s House England

This beautiful architecture of Tulip Stairs can be seen at the Queen’s House it is the first geometric self-supporting spiral stairs in Britain. Although called the ‘Tulip Stairs,’ it is thought that the stylized flowers in the wrought-iron balustrade are actually fleurs-de-lis, as this was the emblem of the Bourbon family of which Queen Henrietta Maria (wife of Charles I) was a member. The Tulip Stairs are also the location of the Rev R. W. Hardy’s famous ‘ghost’ photograph taken on 19 June 1966, which when developed revealed what appear to be two or three shrouded figures onthe staircase. (Photo source)

Loretto Chapel Staircase at New Mexico US

The Loretto Chapel is a chapel in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is a spiral staircase that is an artistic work of carpentry and engineering. The construction and builder of the staircase are considered a miracle by the Sisters of Loretto and many who visit it, because it had no central support (a support was added later). The resulting staircase is an impressive work of carpentry. It ascends twenty feet, making two complete revolutions up to the choir loft without the use of nails or apparent center support. It has been surmised that the central spiral of the staircase is narrow enough to serve as a central beam. Nonetheless there was no attachment unto any wall or pole in the original stairway. Instead of metal nails,the staircase was constructed using dowels or wooden pegs. The wood for the staircase cannot be found anywhere in the region. The stairs had 33 steps, the age of Jesus when he died. The mystery had never been satisfactorily solved as to who the carpenter was or where he got his lumber, since there were no reports of anyone seeing lumber delivered or even seeing the man come and go whilethe construction was being done. Since he left before the Mother Superior could pay him, the Sisters of Loretto offered a reward for the identity of the man, but it was never claimed.

The Spiral Staircase at the Vatican Museum (Italy)

The Vatican Museums spiral staircase is one of the most photographed staircases in the world, and certainly one of the most beautiful. Designed by Giuseppe Momo in 1932, the broad steps are somewhere between a ramp and a staircase. The stairs are actually two separate helixes, one leading up and the other leading down, that twist together in a double helix formation. Little did theVatican Museum know in 1932 that this formation would come to represent life itself, with the discovery of the double helical DNA strand.

Spiral Stair (Australia)

This amazing staircase is located at Garvan Institute in Sydney, Australia. 6.5 revs and five stories from top to bottom white paint and lights. The six storey staircase is the showpiece of the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Australia. Its shape reminds me of a DNA helix, and its clean white colour, glass sides and chrome railings emphasize the facility’s medical function. The six levels of the structure are also featured in the fantastic dome-covered atrium.