What are safe alternatives for floating staircases without handrails? 14

Regarding the "floating stairs": here in Germany we once were able to get a building permit for a floating staircase without a handrail because it was declared as a sculpture and not a staircase. BUT for this to work, we needed to build a second staircase which fulfilled all requirements for an emergency staircase, e.g. length of exit path, materials...

Thank you for finally being the voice of reason! Those stairs always terrified me.

I could not agree more! Any stairs that allow my foot to slip through freak me out. Open bathrooms (esp open showers) are freezing cold. Edison lightbulbs are blinding. And the absolute worst, TVs that require you to look upwards -- my neck hurts just thinking about this.

Love what you shared! I take issue with one design team in particular, who routinely use reclaimed wood to make a "custom" hood vent over the stove. How on earth does one clean a rough wood surface that is coated with cooking grease? My other pet peeve is the use of floating shelves in kitchens. They are a waste of space and also result in everything getting coated with kitchen grease. Such designs are for people who do not use their kitchens for cooking. As for floating stairs, many dogs will not walk up them - I know this from experience. Looking forward to your next post!

Those handrail-less stairs really scare me as a person with a disability. The floating stairs also scare me… i worry about falling off and through, and dropping my cuppa and book, ipad etc. and yes I hate the open chandeliery ensuite too. And yes! Keep the tv in a separate room away from the family gathering space!

Such an important content. The floating stairs without rails is the worst. I hope architects/designers see your content and read the comments and rethink these silly choices.

Last week I was in a large building with a staircase without a hand rail. I am 67, I had a backpack on my back and a violin in its case in my hand.
I went to find another staircase because I treasure my life and my violin.

I appreciate that you took the time to offer solutions and alternatives that would look just as beautiful without compromising safety

Those open staircases are ridiculous! Another great content, Reynard!

I would like to point out those stairs are also murder for anyone on a cane due to the lack of a riser.

I completely agree with all of that! Floating stairs, exposed bathroom toilets, chandeliers over the tub...shmeesh I shortly lived in a house with an open staircase, it was a nightmare come true every morning, I don't know about you but I'm extremely clumsy in the morning.

You're so spot on for all of these - and I like how you're giving concrete criticism and reasons, but then end with ways to work around with the concept instead of just shutting it down.

Those damed bare light bulb racks! We rented when we first moved here and they looked lovely in the photographs. My god though, they were set at eye level over our table and burned with the fury of a thousand suns. Now that we finally, finally have our own place we went with LED dimmable with colour lights throughout. They are right up on the ceiling and you don't even think about them when they aren't on. When they are on, they give a lovely glow (we have other light sources too). Our place is so tiny we have no stairs, but I definitely would put function over form if we ever go for a place that does have stairs. My gosh, I don't want to die because of dangerous stairs