Bespoke Kited Staircase Helps Transforms a Disused, Narrow Lightwell

In 2020, we worked with homeowners David and Candy Johnson to create a bespoke solution that transformed a narrow lightwell into an architectural statement. When searching the internet for spiral staircase designs, they came across British Spirals & Castings and were instantly impressed with what they saw. The couple originally envisioned a more compact spiral staircase due to the tight space restrictions of the lightwell, but after our initial consultation the project evolved, with David and Candy opting for a more suitable kited staircase design.

The design

The staircase’s design comprised of seven straight treads starting from the base, smoothly transitioning to three kited treads in a clockwise rotation, providing easy access to the outdoor space above. All of the treads on this impressive, kited staircase were in our popular Georgian LCC style, adding to the stylish aesthetic of the structure while keeping it in line with the homeowner’s requirements. Standing at 2.5 metres tall, the staircase also featured a stunning balustrade that runs along the right side of the stairs. Formed of two decorative balusters per tread, the balustrade helps keep the design in line with the homeowner’s style while also ensuring its compliance with building regulations – preventing any gaps being larger than 100mm.

The design of the staircase was mainly inspired by the property’s external railings. It was important to the homeowners that the staircase complemented these railings, as they are located directly above the lightwell, at the top of the staircase. Although the railings were produced by a different supplier, at British Spirals & Castings we frequently work on projects requiring the replication of original features. This experience made it straightforward to tailor the staircase design to match the existing railings, achieving the exact look the homeowner envisioned.

A learning experience

We often work with customers who have challenging spaces, collaborating closely to find the most effective solution. In this case, Mr and Mrs Johnson initially requested a cast aluminium spiral staircase, believing it was the only option for the restricted area. After discussing the space in more detail, we recommended a more compact staircase that could be installed neatly in the corner.

Thanks to its bespoke design, the staircase was custom-built to fit the exact dimensions of the lightwell. Its compact layout maximised the use of space while keeping the stairway discreetly tucked away. Although the homeowners originally envisioned a spiral design, they were ultimately delighted with how well the finished staircase complemented the area, commenting:

“British Spirals & Castings were excellent throughout the whole project. We had a challenging space in a narrow lightwell and originally considered a spiral staircase, but their team guided us toward a bespoke kited design that worked perfectly. They were professional, flexible, and patient as our plans evolved, and their on-site visits were reassuring. The finished staircase not only fits the space beautifully but also enhances the overall look – we’re really pleased with both the product and the service!”

Fabrication

We developed the initial designs using our computer-aided designs (CAD) software. This allowed the designs to be easily fine-tuned and allowed the client to approve the final appearance after an evolving design process. Once the design was agreed, our foundry team produced the cast aluminium parts which were then finished by our workshop team.

Cast aluminium offers all the aesthetic benefits of cast iron but is considerably lighter. In fact, cast aluminium staircases can be a third lighter than cast iron counterparts.

For the finish, our in-house powder coating facility offered David and Candy the luxury of any RAL options for their staircase. For this project, the homeowner chose RAL 9005, a Jet Black, complementing the space and matching the external railings of the property perfectly.

A happy home

The new staircase has transformed what was once a restricted and awkward space into a beautiful, more practical lightwell. Using a mix of modern and traditional manufacturing methods helped us keep not only the design of this staircase timeless, but the quality too. Every product that leaves our workshop is a testament of our dedication to excellence and craftsmanship, and this staircase is no exception to that rule.

If you are interested in having a bespoke staircase in your own property, you can visit our gallery and submit a quote, or get in touch via phone or email.