This award-winning cantilevered limestone staircase was created for a contemporary family home in Malahide, County Dublin, overlooking the Irish Sea and Lambay Island.
Designed by Caulfield Wright Architects, the staircase belongs very naturally to the house. It is a fine example of contemporary stone staircase design: clear in form, carefully proportioned, and given depth by the permanence of natural limestone.
Carvero’s role was to take the architectural intent and resolve it as a structural, carefully detailed and beautifully finished bespoke stone staircase. Hand-carved from Portuguese limestone, this staircase combines traditional cantilevered construction with carefully considered modern detailing.
Most of the stone staircase was installed in the classical cantilevered manner, with each tread built into the supporting wall. At the foot of the stair, however, the lower three steps required a different approach to achieve the sweeping turn at the base. These bottom treads were pinned together on site and post-tensioned before being lifted into position as a single assembled stone element. It is a small but important detail, and one that shows what can happen when traditional masonry knowledge and considered modern engineering are allowed to work together.
The staircase is held together by a clear sense of order. The stone apron follows the stairwell as a continuous ribbon of limestone, giving the whole composition a strong architectural line. The refined tread profiles, measured changes in direction and carefully integrated balustrade all add to the feeling that every part has been properly considered.
The pale Portuguese limestone works beautifully with the slender black metal balusters and warm timber handrail. Nothing feels decorative for its own sake. The value of the staircase lies in the proportion, the material, the detail and the confidence of the making.
Recognised at the Natural Stone Awards 2022, run by Stone Federation Great Britain, Lenaboy won the Interiors category, with Caulfield Wright Architects named as architect, Carvero Stonemasonry named as Principal Stone Contractor, and Price & Myers as structural engineers. The staircase later came second overall in the Industry Choice Award, giving the project further recognition from within the natural stone industry. For Carvero, it remains a fine example of what a bespoke stone staircase can become when architectural design, natural stone, engineering and hand craftsmanship are allowed to work together.
Based in Leicestershire, Carvero designs, engineers, manufactures and installs bespoke stone staircases for high-end homes across the UK and Ireland. We work closely with architects, interior designers, main contractors and private clients on cantilevered stone staircases, helical stone stairs, floating stone staircases and carefully made architectural stonework.
If you are planning a residential build or renovation and would like to discuss a bespoke natural stone staircase, please get in touch.
