Precision-Designed Spiral Staircase for a Restricted Living Space
This bespoke spiral staircase was designed for a particularly challenging ground floor layout, where careful planning was essential to preserve circulation through the house while meeting all UK Building Regulations requirements.
Positioned directly off the front entrance, the staircase had to allow a clear and comfortable walkway through to the rear of the property. This meant the spiral’s diameter, rotation, departure point and arrival point were all precisely calculated to maintain safe head clearance for anyone walking past the staircase at ground floor level. The design ensures the staircase feels open and unobtrusive, despite occupying a central position within the living space.
The challenges continued on the upper floor, where restricted headroom imposed further limitations. The spiral geometry was carefully engineered so that the stair achieved the required two metre head clearance at critical points, in full compliance with UK Building Regulations, while still fitting neatly within the available opening.
Solid oak treads add warmth and character, complementing the cottage interior and providing a comfortable walking surface. These are paired with a slim steel structure, powder coated to harmonise with existing fixtures, allowing the staircase to integrate naturally into the room rather than dominate it.
Curved toughened glass panels form the balustrade, maintaining safety while maximising light and visibility through the space. Glass half risers enhance security underfoot without closing the staircase in, preserving the sense of openness that was essential in such a constrained environment. A matching curved handrail follows the line of the spiral, reinforcing both comfort and visual continuity.
A detailed site survey and templating process allowed the staircase to be manufactured precisely for this specific location. The result is a compact yet comfortable spiral staircase that resolves complex spatial constraints with elegance and clarity.
This project demonstrates how thoughtful design and technical expertise can transform difficult spaces into refined architectural features. If your property presents similar challenges, Paradigm Stairs can design a spiral staircase that works seamlessly within them.
“I knew I was in good hands from the moment I first met Scott from Paradigm Stairs. He came to site to carry out a detailed survey and took the time to talk everything through with both myself and our architect. Nothing felt rushed and every aspect of the space was carefully considered. Scott then produced clear 3D visuals and detailed technical drawings, which made it easy for us to understand the design and agree on the finer details of the staircase before anything went into production. The installation team were equally professional and did a fantastic job. They managed a difficult space brilliantly and left us with a staircase that not only works perfectly but looks stunning. I’m absolutely over the moon with the finished result and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Paradigm Stairs.”
Just a short note to say thank you for all.your great work on the staircase installation at Ferg's place. It looks spectacular and the fact that it has pride of place on your website for a while is brilliant. Ferg is very pleased with the outcome. It was good working with you - very pleasing to work with someone who really thinks about the detail ... as I do often keeping me awake at night! The quality of the installation together with your choice of subcontract supplier is top notch, so thank you. I will definetly bear you in mind for all my future projects where staircases are required.