The use of stairs in educational facilities has shifted over the years. In the 1950s, aesthetics were prioritized in school design, and so the showcase stair made its way into school architecture. Showcase staircases were not only beautifully designed, but they served as a reference point—helping students and teachers decipher their location in the midst of long, monotonous hallways. Think of it as an early form of today’s wayfinding trend. “Go to the stairs and turn left. Your classroom will be on the right.” But design trends are apt to change, and by the 1960s and 1970s a more open school plan emerged which resulted in fewer showcase stairs and more hidden staircases.
In current school design, there is a resurgence of showcase stairs, but this time with a twist. Flexible spaces are necessary more than ever in today’s schools. Schools accommodate large numbers of students and offer everything from traditional classes to trade school courses to college dual enrollment. Schools must adapt with their ever-changing needs, and stairs just happen to be a flexible piece of architecture.
Educational architects are starting to incorporate a concept commonly referred to as learning stairs or social stairs. It is a bench-like structure that is usually located near the lobby and main staircase, providing a grand entrance that serves as a gathering place for social and educational purposes. The benches are typically wider and deeper than traditional stairs and invite students and teachers to gather formally or informally to chat, study and learn—even exercise.
Wonder Junior High School is one of Varia’s most recent projects that features a learning staircase. Our part was to provide and install solid surface risers that give the seating area a wow factor—especially when the LED lighting is turned on. The staircase leads to the second floor and blends in with the learning stairs to create a grand entrance, enhanced by incorporating graphic wall panels by Varia.
