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ArchDC Winter 2017.qxp_Fall 2017 11/17/17 5:58 PM Page 82

Exterior view of the house, Staircase as seen from
with the staircase visible within. the lower level.
Photos © Alan Karchmer Architectural Photographer

At the Mathewson House, by Shinberg.Levinas Architects, the umes on top—the intention being to create a feeling of lightness
stair was cited for its sculptural quality combined with structur- emerging from solid anchorage. In a similar spirit, the treads of
al integrity. The house occupies a lot that slopes steeply up from the staircase are anchored into the side wall (which, in fact, is
the street. The upper level was the logical location for the main sheathed in stone on the exterior) and then taper horizontally
living spaces because of its treetop views. But since the entrance into airiness.
needed to be on the lower level, a gracious connector between Each step is a single carved piece of wood, with matching
the two floors was in order. wood nosings. The handrail, of thin black steel with wood cap,
The geometry of the house, derived from site topography meets safety code requirements while remaining visually light
and views, is based on diagonal lines merging into curves. This and restating the geometric leitmotif. The baluster closest to each
motif is expressed, in various ways, in the overall stairway form, tread’s nosing extends through the tread and turns, running
the bottoms of the individual treads, and the pattern of the under the tread. This detail not only fulfills the code require-
guardrail pickets. Meanwhile, the house is designed with a ment barring riser openings greater than four inches, but also
stone-clad base carved into the hillside and white floating vol- lends an aesthetic grace note.

82 HEAVENLY STAIRWAYS