Staircase Study

On this site, there were two challenges of particular interest: how does one provide a viable pedestrian connection on a 30 percent slope 350 feet in length, and how can functional outdoor rooms be developed on such a steep and narrow site? And in doing so, how does one make these things not only functional but interesting, even delightful? Significant geotechnical stabilization issues and a history of landslides added to the puzzle.

The solution was to bench the site using soldier pile walls. Resulting terraces became floor levels for portions of each building and its courtyards. The pile walls were covered with structural concrete to form exterior garden walls – a series of digital cliffs, hanging gardens, and man-made canyons. These gardens are then connected to one another using a series of unexpected, and dramatic staircases.

Architect: Hutchison Maul Architecture