Week 2: The Stair

Architect and Essayist Louis Kahn believed that good architecture requires an in depth understanding of the human situation and from that, an appropriate construction of forms. Such a sentiment has heavily inspired my work as I designed a staircase for the Freelance Concept and Vehicle artist @the_kyza. The Kyza's work embodies an appreciation for luxury (as the namesake suggests, 'kyza', being drawn from the german 'kaiser' which translates to 'emperor'), technological innovation and power. Hence, a showroom and studio space for such a work needs to not only be a place of creativity and inspiration for the artist; but also a commercial space in which an appreciation of the artist's work is evoked and the purchasing of the artist's work is inspired.

My staircase bridges the gap between those two different, yet entwined human situations. The upper part of the staircase which would connect to the artist's studio is significantly more modest and plain in comparison to the lower, more flamboyant part of the staircase which connects to the showroom and this provides an important mediation between the two different spaces. Its aerodynamic, yet light form mirrors the aerodynamic, lightweight forms of @the_kyza's vehicles. The staircase is designed to be monumental, an artistic decision which works two-fold; its monumentality captures the luxury and striking appearance of @the_kyza's work but also its monumental symbols indicate to the audience the significance and importance of the artist's work within the showroom space.

Sketches and sections