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We are at Werkraum Warteck
in Basel.
This new staircase became necessary, because we
developed the Malzsilo section
here in the background
and had to renew the access
to this section.
So as part of
the conversion
it was decided,
to remove the old staircase,
which was solely defined as
an escape staircase,
and also to develop not only
the Malzsilo section, but also
the annexes.
Partly, this existed already, but we tried to
realize it in a better way, and to
better define the entrances.
Another aspect was,
as part of the development of the Malzsilo section,
to emphasize the courtyard
and to make the Malzsilo section
more visible.
The old stairway, which was built as a staircase tower,
was hiding the Malzsilo section,
and with the new construction, we tried to
free the Malzsilo,
to make it more visible.
I always say: this staircase is not designed.
For me, the staircase
is not designed.
I’m a scenographer,
and in Scenography
places
or
situations
are staged.
Scenography is not about
a picture, it’s about presentation,
it’s about this space,
this niche, this space,
and we have designed this stairway
not with the eyes, but with the feet.
It’s about how do I get to the different floors,
and how is this done most easily,
and how do we solve the problem
of the different levels
on each floor.
Consequently, one of the
main decisions was,
that,
each flight of stairs
has to lead directly to the respective door.
The decision to paint it in a shade of green color,
was taken pretty early,
we then had 30 different samples.
We realized, that we have
to decide, if we would like
to see this stairway
as independent object,
with its own specific color
which has nothing
to do with the building, or
if we should adjust the color
to the colors of the building.
Naturally, not everyone was of the same opinion,
but we realized, that
this strong design
didn’t necessarily need a strong color. We feel
that now, with this color,
this aquamarine, or how you want to call it,
the form gets a stronger message. The shadows
look different, and
the respect
for the building
is secured.