TIMBER-CLAD STAIR CONNECTS UNIVERSITY FACULTIES

The new Faculty of Arts building at University of Warwick which has been shortlisted for the 2023 RIBA Stirling Prize designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios brings the departments of the Arts and Humanities faculties under a single roof for the first time. The light-filled, timber-lined space is formed around and imposing internal staircase clad in Junckers’ solid ash flooring.

The stair rises from a base of amphitheatre seating and rises through the building connecting teaching, social learning, public exhibition, and departmental spaces throughout which all branch off the central staircase. Entirely clad in Junckers’ solid ash, the central stair forms the main route through the building’s open, inviting, and flexible spaces.

“The stair provides a space for daily informal meeting as well as place for events and occasions such as documentary filming, graduation photographs and whole faculty celebrations. The use of natural timber, combined with natural light brings a warmth and a sense of timelessness to the space.” David Harris, Associate, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios

Junckers’ solid ash has excellent strength properties and makes a hard-wearing, long-lasting floor. Often used in contemporary interiors, ash flooring adds natural warmth and character which can provide a good balance to clean lines and hard surfaces. The unique grain structure of ash makes it a characterful floor, similar in pattern to oak but with its own distinct colour tones. With its capacity to reflect an abundance of natural light, it is an ideal flooring choice for the project.

The flooring contractor was Capital Floors Ltd.

Photo Credt: Hufton+Crow