Redefined Balustrade

Redesigned staircase adds both style and comfort

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Architectural design, interior design

  • Before: an incomplete metal-and-glass balustrade was too fussy for the owners’ taste
  • Studio Z designed a clean-lined wood-and-glass balustrade
  • A new sliding glass door at the top of the stairway keeps heat from rising and overheating the second floor.
  • An onyx light fixture at the bottom of the stairway replaces a traditional lamp

The owners of this contemporary condominium in downtown Ann Arbor reached out to Studio Z for two reasons.


First, they did not like the ornate metal and glass balustrade that came with their condo. Not only was it overly-fussy for their taste, it was unfinished and, more importantly, unsafe. The previous owner had placed dowels in closet rod brackets on the landing, and there were sections of the stairway that had no guard rail at all.


Second, they had a problem with warm air rising up the stairwell and overheating the upper level while leaving the main level chilly.

The existing stairway was constructed mainly of cherry, with maple and mahogany inlays. The homeowners were attracted to the condo because of these wood details, so Studio Z designed a glass and wood balustrade that achieved the homeowners’ goal of being contemporary yet warm. A continuous cherry handrail tops glass panels connected to cherry newel posts with simple chrome clips.

Project highlights

At the bottom of the stairway, a traditional lamp was replaced with a lit onyx fixture that provides a warm glow.


At the top of the stairway, Studio Z designed a glass partition with a sliding glass door to provide more thermal comfort on both levels of the condo.

Credits

Contractor: Momentum Construction

Photographer: Emily Rose Imagery

Model: Mustache the Cat


Before

Studio Z helped us with getting our home up to code - architecturally - and correcting air-flow design problems from the previous homeowners. Dawn listened to our concerns and then solved our problem, and made sure to incorporate our personal style. Our contractors felt great working with Studio Z and everything went off without a hitch, due to the clear plans and drawings. We are very happy with Studio Z!  


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