This impressive timber staircase is located at the entrance
of 3d-milling expert Doornekamp Woodspecials in Waddinxveen.
Parametric tools are very suitable for designing organic
staircases. For this project I made a Grasshopper script
to generate the steps and balusters transform from top to
bottom. Rhino SubD functionalities made it possible to
create a polysurface with this bespoke shape. Parametric
design and digital fabrication are in symbiosis in the making
of this staircase. The splines modeling with SubD matches
the 5-axis milling machines capabilities seamlessly. The
staircase is supported by a steel frame inside the wooden
envelope. Despite of the slender shape this staircase is
really stiff and does not vibrate when walked upon.
Project name Parametric staircase
Project by Studio RAP Rotterdam
Partners Doornekamp Woodspecials
Scope Design + 3D modeling
Parametric tools Rhino Grasshopper and Rhino SubD
Fabrication CNC milling with 5-axis milling machine
Date January 2021
Location Waddinxveen The Netherlands
Project by Studio RAP Rotterdam
Partners Doornekamp Woodspecials
Scope Design + 3D modeling
Parametric tools Rhino Grasshopper and Rhino SubD
Fabrication CNC milling with 5-axis milling machine
Date January 2021
Location Waddinxveen The Netherlands
The staircase has a parametric design approach. Every step is morphed according to a curve to make the staircase flow. The staircase becomes more dynamic, because of these organic curved shapes. Modeling this slender shape was a fine line between overall stiffness of the staircase and weightless appearance.
The timber staircase is suported by a steel frame. It is anchord in a steel plate inside the wall. All the steps are connected trough the ballustrade to increase the stiffnes of the structure. Wallking on it creates almost no vibrations because of this extra fixation. All steps are different size and therefore the connection at the ballustrade is also in different angles. This was no problem for the parametric design workflow and automated milling works.
