The Job: The pine staircase has been chosen for this week's showcase by one of our joiners, for being a work of which he is particularly proud.
It is one detail of a major renovation of a remote and isolated Victorian farmhouse. Situated off-grid on the windswept braes of the Southern Highlands, the old sheep farm is only accessible by many miles of rough uphill track.
With nothing above it but for the hilltops and one of the UK's largest windfarms, it has a spectacular outlook over forest, moor and mountain with not a human neighbour in sight.
The 4 bedroom farmhouse has been long-neglected and was in a sorry condition. The comprehensive modernisation has entailed extensive repairs to the roofing and windows, outer walls getting stripped back and insulated, and interior walls knocked down to create a more spacious layout, including a new relocated staircase.
Our approach: The architect presented us with a sketch of his desired design: a stylish little staircase with a bullnose end, and balustrading of square fluted spindles, featuring a small return on the landing.
However, turning the sketch into reality entailed some particular challenges. While the architect had proposed an ideal height and width for steps and spindles, it was the joiner's job to fit the staircase into the space available, working to the hole in the first floor ceiling.
First he established and measured the 'pitch line' the staircase would need to take between the floors. In a scaled-down drawing, this line became the diagonal of a right-angled triangle (see above). From this drawing, he then figured out how many steps and spindles there would need to be, adhering as closely as possible to the 'ideal' envisioned by the architect.
Using these calculations he then created all the pieces in our workshop, before taking them up the hill and assembling everything in situ.
We think the completed staircase looks very chic, and that our joiner has every reason to be pleased with his work! There's still much to be done before the farmhouse itself is done, but we will be returning again when it is to show you the finished product!
What the joiner said :
Here at Keysquare we're proud of everything we make, anything we do. When they look good, like these stairs, I like to show my friends and family.
