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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.

Clare Chapman
Last updated: 1 February 2024 | 1 min read
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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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Clare Chapman Clare Chapman
Editor in Chief, HOME