The Spine of the House: A Luxury Staircase in Suncadia
Inside the 13,000-square-foot Suncadia retreat, the staircase is the architectural centerpiece — a floating wood-and-steel structure rising two full stories, wrapped by a cascading cluster of teardrop glass pendants that drop through the stairwell like suspended rain.
Open risers let daylight pass through each tread, so the staircase reads as a sculptural element rather than a solid mass. Dark stained wood treads on a blackened steel stringer, slim black metal spindles with matching wood handrails, and a switchback configuration that opens the full stairwell volume to the forest outside.
Two stories of teardrop glass pendants drop through the center on thin cables. The effect — from below, from the side, and especially looking down from the top landing — is cinematic. Amber-toned smoked glass at staggered heights; it reads as sculpture during the day and chandelier at night.
The Pendant Cascade Is the Defining Moment
Amber-toned smoked glass shades at staggered drop heights emphasize the full vertical volume of the stairwell. A single cluster rather than multiple fixtures per floor — it reads as sculpture during the day and chandelier at night.
The cascade ties the main floor living areas to the upper level, giving every space in its sightline a shared focal point. From the dining room, through the lounge, and up into the bedrooms, it is always visible.
The Work Begins With One Conversation
We hold a limited number of consultations each month and are selective about the projects we take on.
The staircase at the Suncadia retreat — floating structure, cascading pendants, and unobstructed forest views through the landing.
Architecture That Earns the Room
In a vacation home built for entertaining, the staircase is one of the first things guests encounter. The challenge was designing a structure that functioned as architecture — not just circulation — while keeping the main floor open and connected.
Material precision was non-negotiable. Dark wood treads had to echo the tone of the columns and beams. Blackened steel had to pick up the black window frames throughout. Every element needed to belong before it was specified.
“A staircase in a vacation home is rarely just a way to get upstairs. It is one of the first things guests see and one of the last things they remember.”
Designed for Movement and Light
The open-riser configuration was a deliberate choice. Solid risers would have made the staircase read as a wall — a room divider instead of a transparent architectural element. Open risers keep sightlines clear to the forest through the floor-to-ceiling landing windows.
The blackened steel and dark wood stringer were chosen for visual cohesion with the rest of the house, but also because the material contrast — warm wood, cool steel — gives the structure its sense of refinement from every viewing angle.
Frequently Asked
The work in this portfolio is the standard we hold ourselves to on every project. We take on a limited number of engagements each year.Your home should stop you. Every time you walk in.
