The Staircase: v. 1

John Templer has written a theoretical, historical, and scientific analysis of one of the most basic and universal building elements: the stair. Together, these two volumes - "History and Theories" and "Studies of Hazards, Falls, and Safer Design" present a detailed study of stairs and ramps - the art and science of their design, their history, and their hazards. For the designer and the art and architectural historian, the first volume treats the fascinating history of stairs and their immense influence on the art and science of architecture. It is illustrated with more than 100 photographs from around the world and views the literature on stairs (as well as ladders and railings and ramps) for Vitruvius to Venturi. Templer considers the whole play of meanings in the idea of the stair - as art object, as structural idea, as legal prescription, or as poetic fancy - making it clear that the stair is simultaneously an aesthetic, architectonic, ergonomic, and cultural element. The second volume shows the dangers stairs present. Drawing on twenty years of human factors research on stairs, Templer sets out what is known about slips, trips, and falls and how best to design stairs to avoid their inherent dangers. He discusses the physiological and behavioural relationship between humans and stairs and walkways, the question of gait and slippery surfaces, and the various types of falls and the injuries that result. Perhaps most importantly, Templer proposes the idea of the soft stair, which could substantially reduce the annual epidemic of stair-related deaths and injuries.

Table of Contents:
Part 1 Straight flight stairs: prototype - climbing poles and ladders; archetype 1 - the architecture of the internal stair; the stair as a passage; archetype 2 - the architecture of the external stair. Part 2 The helical stair: the defensive vis; the helical stair as an architectural device. Part 3 Composite stairs: landing places; the dogleg stair; from square newel to imperial stair; the influence of garden stairs; learning from formal entry stairs; the rise of the internal grand stair; the baroque stairs of honour; the 19th and 20th centuries.

Review :
"I have waited a long time to read a work like John Templer's" The Staircase". Its achievement of several objectives makes these unique volumes about buildings and about architecture. They blend the joy of aesthetics with the rigor of building science. They draw from historical, laboratory, and field research. They provide the passion of someone who clearly delights in architecture, yet they display the crispness of the analyst who sees bow buildings can better work for their users. This is a model product of architectural research."--Michael L. Joroff, Director, MIT Laboratory of Architecture and Planning & quot; I have waited a long time to read a work like John Templer's The Staircase . Its achievement of several objectives makes these unique volumes about buildings and about architecture. They blend the joy of aesthetics with the rigor of building science. They draw from historical, laboratory, and field research. They provide the passion of someone who clearly delights in architecture, yet they display the crispness of the analyst who sees bow buildings can better work for their users. This is a model product of architectural research.& quot; -- Michael L. Joroff, Director, MIT Laboratory of Architecture and Planning " I have waited a long time to read a work like John Templer's" The Staircase," Its achievement of several objectives makes these unique volumes about buildings and about architecture. They blend the joy of aesthetics with the rigor of building science. They draw from historical, laboratory, and field research. They provide the passion of someone who clearly delights in architecture, yet they display the crispness of the analyst who sees bow buildings can better work for their users. This is a model product of architectural research." -- Michael L. Joroff, Director, MIT Laboratory of Architecture and Planning -- Michael L. Joroff, Director, MIT Laboratory of Architecture and Planning