This spiral staircase design was created by London designer Paul Cocksedge for Ampersand, a new office building for creative businesses in Soho, London. The staircase is characterized by balustrades filled with plants and circular seating where employees can take a break from work. The concept treats the staircase as more than a simple way to connect floors.
Spiral staircase concept for an office building
By studying the structure of a spiral staircase, the designer found that enlarging the spiral’s diameter and removing the central pillar could create a new hidden space at the center. On each floor, a circular platform becomes a social space for specific activities: reading a book, sketching a design, entertaining or enjoying fresh mint tea.
Spiral staircase with green balustrades
The spiral staircase design is scaled directly around people, with plants placed along the railings. They serve not only as decoration, but also as small gardens. Every member of the community can add a plant or transform the railing into a small herb garden.
Beautiful contrasts between wood and concrete
This living staircase is a combination of stairs and space, movement and stillness, vertical and horizontal surfaces. At every turn, there is a chance to stop and look around, listen, read, write, speak, meet, think or rest. It is a world that lives and breathes within the building.
Round platform at the top of the staircase
Spiral staircase with platform
Extension of the spiral 
Peter Dark
Anna Lohan
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