The hidden ways stairs shape your life | Small Thing Big Idea, a TED series

TL;DR

This article explores the emotional and architectural significance of stairs, from their basic elements to their role in creating dramatic, artistic, and even heroic experiences.

Transcript

Transcriber: Krystian Aparta Reviewer: Camille Martínez I think stairs may be one of the most emotionally malleable physical elements that an architect has to work with. [Small thing. Big idea.] [David Rockwell on the Stairs] At its most basic, a stair is a way to get from point A to point B at different elevations. Stairs have a common language. T... Read More

Key Insights

• 🏗️ Stairs have a common language with elements such as treads, risers, nosings, and stringers, which make up all stairs.
• ⛪ Stairs have historically been used as a means of reaching higher elevations for worship or protection.
• 🛠️ Stairs have evolved in terms of engineering, with different materials and designs now possible, both indoors and outdoors.
• ♂️ Stairs dictate our pacing, feeling, safety, and engagement with the space around us, creating different experiences.
• 📚 Stairs can add drama to an entrance or be heroic, as seen in the "Survivors' Staircase" after the September 11th attack.
• 🏙️ Small stairs, such as stoops, can have a huge impact by creating a gathering space and fulfilling a human need to inhabit a space beyond the ground plane.
• 🌟 Stairs can be seen as a form of art in themselves, with their design and structure contributing to the overall aesthetic of a space.
• ♀️ Sitting halfway up on stairs can create a magical place and offer a unique perspective of the surroundings.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are the basic elements that make up a staircase?

The basic elements that make up a staircase are treads, which are the surfaces you walk on, risers, which are the vertical elements that separate the treads, nosings, which create an edge on some stairs, and stringers, which connect all the pieces together.

Q: How did stairs come to be?

Stairs were likely invented when someone wanted to reach a higher point from a lower one. Initially, people used whatever was available, such as stepped logs, ladders, or natural pathways. Over time, more structured staircases were built, like the pyramids in Chichén Itzá or the roads to Mount Tai in China, serving as a means to access higher elevations for worship or protection.

Q: What are the different types of stairs that can be found?

Stairs can come in various forms and can be made from different materials. They can be linear or spiraled, and they can be found both indoors and outdoors. Stairs serve practical purposes, such as aiding in emergencies, but they can also be regarded as works of art, influencing our experience, pace, and engagement with the surrounding space.

Q: How do stairs contribute to the overall ambiance and experience of a place?

Stairs have the power to add drama and create different experiences. For example, a wide, gradual staircase like the one in front of the New York Public Library allows for a slow and steady pace, providing a view of the street and a connection with people. On the other hand, a narrow staircase in an old pub may have taller risers, leading to a faster descent. Stairs can signal grand entrances, serve as a symbol of resilience, or even be a gathering place for communities. They fulfill a human need to occupy space beyond ground level, and sitting halfway up can create a magical experience.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Stairs are an emotionally malleable element in architecture, with different designs and structures affecting our emotions and experiences.

• Stairs have evolved over time, from basic means of getting from one point to another to elaborate and artistic structures made from various materials.

• Stairs have both practical uses, such as in emergencies, and symbolic significance, representing grand entrances and even heroic feats.