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.

“Interior Décor from Master Craftsman”- Seattleite Reports on our Entryway + Stairway Designs

We were thrilled to be interviewed and featured by Seattleite which wrote in introduction, “Led by a locally-raised innovator, stairs and railings receive a luxurious makeover at this prestigious firm.” To read the entire article please click blog title above.

Our Stairs Push the Limits: Forcing New Methods of Design Build

The DMY International Design Festival is in Berlin this Week and during its DMY Materials Innovation Workshops designers and architects will jointly develop new scenarios and applications based on innovative material developments. They say “70 % of all product innovations are based on new materials. Materials and their production have become the drivers of innovation. The focus is no longer merely the technological function, but foremost the ability to transfer functional excellence in user-oriented products.”

We couldn't agree more. On a current project, we needed to be able to demonstrate the integrity of glass treads to the structural engineer on a recent project. 600 lbs of sandbags, then a 225 pound construction worker jumping on the load eventually satisfied him.

"DMY International Design is a festival of product design that takes place in Berlin once a year, you can read the www.ithunter.org article on it here. Photo from the show by It Hunter."

Fashion and the Stair Railing

We find our work being like couture fashion in many ways. Take a look at this stitched, leather-wrapped handrail we did. It's like the tailoring of a fine leather jacket.

Designer Thom Filicia Visits Seattle: We Share our Book of Stairs

Thom Filicia of Bravo's Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and House and Garden Top 100 fame paid a special visit to the Bellevue Masins Fine Furnishings where he was signing his new book Thom Filicia Style. I enjoyed talking spiral stair challenges with his manager, plus meeting Mr. Filicia, who was so kind as to ask for a copy of our own little book… a picture book of projects we like to keep in
our lapel pocket. He then signed my copy of his book with the exclamation, "Your Stairs Rock!" Why thank you Thom. Your new book is filled with great design inspirations.

- David Shuler, Seattle Stair

Photo of Seattle Stair & Design's David Shuler with Designer/Author Thom Filicia

Centuries of European Architecture and Cathedral Building Enriches Our Stair Designs

Ten years back Seattle Stair & Design’s founder Shawn Christman set off for Europe in search of the Compagnons du Devoir (“Brotherhood of Duty”), the elite guild of woodworkers who built the great cathedrals and chateaux of France. History tells the guild first appeared at the time of Solomon, and by the twelfth century AD was active in the construction trades in Europe. For nine centuries the Compagnons gathered the brightest talent, forming a fellowship of craftspeople who traveled the world beautifying civilization’s greatest cities and handing down their skills from master to apprentice. Masterpieces from Mount Saint-Michel (photo shown) to the Louvre, from the Scottish highlands to the sands of Santa Fe were the result. But where, in this age of mass-produced commodities, had the Compagnons gone?

An enduring tradition: Shawn discovered a tradition that was very much alive. The guild was at work all over Europe, building masterpieces that represent the peak of centuries of development of the finest European joinery. Shawn toured their headquarters and training shops. He studied their history, met with their leadership, and ultimately achieved his goal – to become the first North American stair maker certified by the Compagnons as an approved destination “Stage” for their apprentices and masters. Because of this relationship, an apprentice Compagnon can earn credit toward the completion of his 7-year Masterpiece by studying for a year under Shawn and the team. At any given time there is usually a Compagnon craftsman in the Seattle Stair & Design studio, working alongside the Seattle-based team. The staircases we produce for our clients represent the fusion of this old-world craftsmanship and modern techniques.

Artisans, Architects, Designers and the Odd Ballistic Specialist: Seattle Stair & Design’s Team of Experts

Vast and varied, our network of pros includes glassmakers, steel fabricators, engineering specialists and specialty suppliers who work with us to bring everything together seamlessly. As a project’s dedicated staircase specialist, we manage the entire process, guiding the owner and project team through staircase construction from design to installation. Balancing aesthetic beauty and feasibility is a passion. For the building contractor we represent a total, no-hassle, comprehensive solution – the “Swiss watch” of your construction project.

Why the ballistic specialist? We needed to ensure our glass treads would not shatter and guillotine someone standing below the staircase. With persistent research, David Shuler, our Sales Manager, discovered a ballistic film that embassies around the world now use on their windows to prevent flying glass from car bombs from killing the occupants.

The photo here shows us testing the glass tread we built- here we're topping it with 600 pounds of sandbags plus the strength of a man. Tough stuff!