Seattle Stair & Design in The New York Times

Last week, Seattle Stair & Design's work graced the pages of The New York Times- in conjunction with the article “In New Office Designs, Room to Roam and to Think.”

The article and corresponding multimedia slideshow provide a glimpse inside The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Headquarters, which is outfitted with thousands of feet of striking curved wooden handrails and paneling custom crafted by Seattle Stair & Design, as well as a reclaimed solid ash stool designed by Meyer Wells and turned on the lathe by Seattle Stair & Design.

Photo: Joshua Trujillo for Seattle PI

Photo: Stuart Isett for the New York Times

The spacious mezzanine of The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation features a suspended staircase outfitted with 2,000 feet of curved wooden handrails and 1,000 feet of curved paneling custom built by Seattle Stair & Design.

Photo: Stuart Isett for the New York Times

The “diving board” style hall leads to a panoramic corridor sparsely furnished with two chairs and a reclaimed solid ash stool designed by Meyer Wells and turned on the lathe by Seattle Stair & Design.

The tandem of utility and radiance captured in the staircases and stool permeates the essence of the entire space, which is defined in the article as a forerunner in the staggering trend of businesses abandoning the traditional work environment.

Indulging their employees in boundless ceilings, sweeping panes of glass, and the freedom to migrate, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has recognized the different “modes” of their employees and created a variety of spaces that cultivate creativity and respect personal preference.

For more coverage of our involvement with the construction of the staircases in the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation headquarters, please see the additional blogposts and articles.

http://seattlestair.blogspot.com/2011/06/staircase-railing-of-new-seattle.html

http://www.seattlebusinessmag.com/article/stair-master

Mary Anne Carter
Assistant Director of Marketing

The Staircase Railing of a New Seattle Landmark: the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

This international organization, the world's largest nonprofit, knows the importance of making a good first impression. The project's architects did a wonderful job of creating a design that lifts the eye six stories. When you walk on this stair you have a sense of floating. The 2,000 feet of rail we crafted adds to the subtle minimalism that practically disappears. Take a look at the "before" photo we shot during construction. Gorgeous, don't you agree? Photo by Benjamin Benschneider/ NBBJ/ DJC.