Feature article
Here’s why a spiral staircase was the perfect addition to this edgy house
A soft spiral staircase helped achieve the perfect balance in an industrial Waiheke home.

AI summary
Architect Vaughn McQuarrie balanced an industrial Waiheke home with clever design choices. A sculptural spiral staircase, finished in unpainted plaster instead of the planned steel, provides a crucial softening element to the interior.
The house was dug into the slope to keep the deck's drop under one metre, avoiding the need for a balustrade.
Large, continuous windows lighten the structure both inside and out, creating a suspended floor effect and completing the home's edgy yet balanced aesthetic.
Q&A with architect Vaughn McQuarrie
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