A curved staircase can feel like architecture in motion—and this one arrived with a bit of drama. Designed by architect John Voight and fabricated by Century Stair Company of Haymarket, Virginia, the stair was produced using computer numerical control technology, which allowed the most complex elements to take shape with remarkable precision. “All of the parts were cut out with a CNC machine [an automated manufacturing tool],” Voight says, noting that while many stair components are flat, the trim and handrail are “complex helical shapes that are a breeze on a CNC machine,” compared with the “tremendous” labor required to craft them by hand.
Still, the real show came on installation day. Despite Voight’s experience with curved stairs, he had never seen one set in place. “I was actually surprised to see it all in one piece,” he recalls, as “about five guys carry it in, hoist it in place, and walk away done in about two hours.” The speed was the result of careful planning during framing, which ensured a tight fit once the stair arrived on-site. Voight notes a final, practical takeaway from the experience: “One key thing to remember is that these are sizeable pieces to bring into a house, so there needs to be a door large enough to allow it in!”
