Eccentric staircases transform homes into structures of art

By Minh Trang October 15, 2020 | 02:30 am PT

A spiraling wooden staircase or one hidden in a 'straw stack' give these houses an elevated sense of character.

A blue staircase with a gentle design brightens the indoor space of a semi-detached villa in a busy neighborhood in Hanoi. In the longest run, the upper part n tr

A blue curving staircase colors the interior of this semi-detached villa in a busy Hanoi neighborhood. According to architects, the staircase was one of the most complicated parts to construct, taking them one month to finish. Photo by Tuan Nghia Nguyen.

The staircase runs down to the basement where the three-generation familys helper lives, connecting her room with other spaces inside the villa. Photo by Tuan Nghia Nguyen.

The staircase descends to a basement apartment reserved for domestic staff. Photo by Tuan Nghia Nguyen.

Located in Hanoi's Son Tay Town, the 157-square-meter lake-skirting house reflects a typically northern Vietnamese design, complete with wooden furniture, thatched roof and a "hidden" staircase evoking a rice straw stack. Photo by Hiroyuki Oki.

A closer look at the staircase. Photo by Hiroyuki Oki.

An 85-meter-square house in Saigons District 7 features a wooden staircase that gives its homeowners the feeling of walking up to paradise.It is structured with wooden bars designed between two walls along the length of the house. The staircase is not only a transportation axis but also a ventilation opening for the construction. Photo by Quang Dam.

An 85-meter-square house in Saigon's District 7 features a wooden staircase that gives its homeowners the feeling of "ascending to paradise." It is structured with wooden bars designed between two walls along the length of the house. The staircase serves as both transportation axis and ventilation shaft. Photo by Quang Dam.

Voids between wooden bars allow natural light to enter and create impressive visual effects. Photo by Quang Dam.

Voids between wooden slats allow natural light to create impressive visual effects. Photo by Quang Dam.

Renovating and merging two adjacent houses in Ho Chi Minh City, architects decided to embrace the sunlight by putting the staircase behind a glass wall facing the West. The curved wall made of glass makes the most of the sunset view. Photo by Dung Huynh.

Having renovated and merged two adjacent homes in Ho Chi Minh City, architects decided to embrace the sunlight by putting the staircase behind a glass wall facing the west. Photo by Dung Huynh.

Sunset view from the staircase of the 250-meter-square house. Photo by Dung Huynh.

A sunset view from the staircase of this 250-meter-square house. Photo by Dung Huynh.