EeStairs collaborated with interior architect Julia van Beuningen to design and fabricate a self-supporting spiral staircase made entirely from pine plywood. This structure was part of the renovation of Ahof Farm, a listed 19th-century barn in Nijkerk, Netherlands. It is said to transform the agricultural structure into a modern, positive-energy residence.
The pine plywood staircase features a helical form with no central support column. The design boasts crisp plywood edges, and a balustrade integrated into the treads. It serves to create a bold design statement within a space that otherwise relies on traditional materials such as lime plaster, flax, thatch, and exposed timber beams.
EeStairs' material choice is sustainable as the timber is FSC-certified and the firm relies on low-polluting adhesives and finishes.
Image Credit: ©EeStairs-Alex Baxter
What's Driving This Trend
- Self-supporting Timber Structures
- A helical, column-free staircase demonstrates potential for timber elements to carry structural loads in novel geometries, challenging steel-and-concrete dominance in mid-rise interiors.
- Integrated Staircase-furniture
- Blending balustrade and tread into a single plywood assembly points toward multifunctional architectural components that combine circulation, storage, and sculptural presence.
- Low-impact Engineered Wood
- Use of FSC-certified pine plywood with low-emission adhesives signals scalability for climate-conscious building systems that reduce embodied carbon across whole projects.
Who This Affects Most
- Architecture and Interior Design
- Adaptive reuse projects can leverage expressive engineered-wood elements to reconcile heritage fabric with contemporary, energy-positive living concepts.
- Construction Materials Manufacturing
- Manufacturers of laminated timber and sustainable adhesives may see demand for precision-cut, high-strength panels that enable fluid, load-bearing forms.
- Custom Millwork and Furniture
- Artisanal joinery firms could expand into prefabricated structural components that function as both furniture and building infrastructure in compact residences.
