Ascend

 

Img 1: Evolution of staircases and their changing significance through the years

The premise of the competition

With Ascend, UNI introduces a new typology in the realm of Classroom Competitions. It intends to give an opportunity to students to master the potential of different building elements, that compose the design of a structure. 

We also understand that a client’s input is critical in anchoring a building’s design. For an experience that is highlighted by the demands of the user, it is necessary for a designer and the client to work in unison. The competition intends to provide students an opportunity to devise design directives, by anchoring the client as the main focus. The client, though fictional, is rooted in the context of the real world.

The competition embarks on the idea of creating fundamental design challenges to enhance a student's learning experience. Providing opportunities that one may come across outside the domain of a design school.

Staircase

A building is composed of many elements. Wall, window, door, ledge, parapet and even stairs – they all help in making a design stand.  Staircase or simply stairs is a construction designed to bridge a vertical distance by dividing it into smaller vertical steps. It is a means to transit. An idea that configures the stability of a place.

A symbol of comfort and luxury. A necessity. A piece of fashion. An exhibition of imperial power. A staircase is a building component that showcases diverse possibilities.

A complex element to solve geometrically, it is one of the most demanding design elements at a functional level. It is also an opportunity to define a function beyond circulation. Between its formal resolution and a need for function, the staircase can be made to have different roles.

Img 2: Need to expand staircase beyond its function of circulating people
 

Challenge

A staircase or simply stairs is a construction designed to bridge a vertical distance by dividing it into smaller vertical steps. It is a means to transit. An idea that configures the stability of a place. A symbol of comfort and luxury. A necessity. A piece of fashion. An exhibition of imperial power. A staircase is a building component that showcases diverse possibilities. A complex element to solve geometrically, it is one of the most demanding design elements at a functional level. 

The aim of the competition is for the participants to design a staircase, in collaboration with the client.

Their two-story house has already been planned except for the main staircase, which they expect to be the status symbol of the property. The intent is to design a staircase and allow it to expand beyond its function of circulating people.

 Profile

The client profile, as the name suggests is brief information of the client in question. The insight will give a better understanding of the user. Personal interpretation of which can be made by participants to derive design directives.

The client in question is a family of 3 who shifted to New Zealand a year ago and is planning to settle down. The house was designed by another architect who has completed the plans. But now the client is looking for a different flavour.

They want the staircase to be unique, something that stands out and isn’t particularly responding to another architect’s vision. Further information on the client in additional resources. 

Emilia, 5

Client 1: How will you describe yourself, Emilia?

My name is Emilia. I am 5 years old. I was born in Melbourne on January 19th. I love wonder woman and want to become the strongest person when I grow up. I love Math's, Art and English. My favourite food is ice cream, Tell me something about your family. I love my mum and papa. I love when we all huddle up together in my bed and they choose to tell stories from their childhood. It is the best time of the day. But they both are very busy these days. I sometimes feel alone What do you want in your design? A place to have fun. Something where mum, papa and I can be together.

Jane, 38

Client 2: How will you describe yourself, Jane?

I was born on September 5th in Suffolk, UK. I am the younger of two siblings and did my graduated in journalism from Melbourne. I moved in with Sam to New Zealand after his promotion and getting granted the post of editor in chief for a leading newspaper. We have a daughter named Emilia, who is my world. I love to travel and I collect a lot of mementoes for reverence. Japan is my all-time favourite destination. I strongly advocate for rights of equality between all genders, races, classes and have written many columns on it. What do you want in your design? I really feel staircases are underappreciated and under-designed in houses. It leads you into a new dimension. A world (floor) unknown. We want our staircase to dictate the language of our house - the interior, construction, material, elevation. We want to be surprised and have something beyond the conventional use of transit. Besides that, I like my spaces to be warm and light.

Sam, 36

Client 3: How will you describe yourself, Sam?

Born on July 17th, I am an Australian born in a family of four. My mother is of Indian descent and my father is an Australian. I immigrated to New Zealand last year after getting promoted to a higher position in a software development company. I moved in here with my wife Jane and daughter, Emilia. I love animals and am a strong advocate for their rights. I have been a vegan for the past 6 years and I am grateful for that change. Besides that I love to write, and had it not been for the idea of ‘stability’ would have persuaded writing. I love Sufi music and being a voracious reader, Killing a Mockingbird is always something I will recommend. What do you want in your design? Having worked for the past 15 years, the idea of settling down is comforting. So a design that exudes warmth, puts me at ease after a tiring day at work but also excites me. It shouldn’t be mundane or conventional. 

Objectives

• Interior: Furniture, Finishes, Flooring,  Material Palette
• Lighting: Natural Lighting as well as Fixtures used in the
• Function: Function of the staircase beyond it being a means to circulate vertically
• Planning: Planning of staircase and its immediate surroundings if any intervention is needed.

The following objectives can be a point of beginning to conceive this design. Participants can assume their own context and function but need to plan out their intervention inside the residence (design given) while responding to the client profile.

Site Plan

The design and function of immediate rooms can be altered if necessary. There are no restrictions (material, lighting, form - all depends on the participant's design), except the following standards need to be taken into account. Riser Height 150mm, Minimum Width: 250mm.