# Concrete Spiral Staircase Designs Researchers at ETH Zurich Designs the Cadenza Staircase By Amy Duong | Published 2024-10-14 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cadenza References: [dezeen](https://www.dezeen.com/2024/10/14/eth-zurich-cadenza-concrete-staircase-design/) & [ethz.ch](https://ethz.ch/)  ROK Architects works together with a team of researchers at the tech university [ETH Zurich](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/contoured-ceiling) to create the Cadenza [concrete spiral staircase](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/czech-pavilion). It is inspired by the spine and approaches construction with material-saving sustainability. The Cadenza staircase is the latest addition to the NEST building, which is a lab for experimental fabrication techniques by the school with other research institutes. Head of the school, Benjamin Dillenburger shares, "Customised concrete structures are a challenge for conventional formwork. Digital design-to-production frameworks with 3D-printed formwork offer huge advantages for architectural expression, structural performance and material efficiency. The steps have a thickness of only 20 millimetres and have been structurally optimised for drastic weight reduction. Their production leads to little waste as a single set of 3D-printed formwork permits the production of all the steps." Image Credit: ETH Zurich ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.4/10 - Popularity: 58% | Activity: 44% | Freshness: 30% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Eco-friendly Construction:** The use of material-saving techniques and digital design in the Cadenza staircase highlights a shift towards sustainable building practices. - **3d-printed Formwork:** Digitally fabricated formwork allows for more complex and optimized designs, reducing waste and improving structural efficiency. - **Architectural Innovation:** Collaborative efforts between architects and researchers lead to innovative structures like the Cadenza staircase that push the boundaries of traditional architectural forms. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Sustainable Architecture:** Adopting eco-friendly materials and designs in architectural projects is paving the way for more sustainable urban environments. - **3D Printing:** The integration of 3D printing in construction allows for highly customized, efficient, and sustainable building processes. - **Educational Research:** Partnerships between universities and architectural firms for experimental projects are fostering a new era of innovation in building design. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Energy-Saving Artistically Contoured Ceilings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/contoured-ceiling.md) - [Bold Architectural Renovations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flat-iron-house.md) - [Dutch Barn Spiralled Staircase](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/julia-van-beuningen.md) - [Sculptural Townhome Staircases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/atelier-pierre-thibault-1.md) - [Reinforced Concrete Housing Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/residenza-carsg.md) - [Timbered Passage Stair Extensions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wooden-annex.md) - [3D-Printed Tall Concrete Towers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-tor-alva.md) - [City-Framing Concrete Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/khome.md) - [Reusable Framework Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unfold-form.md)