subject: The Forms And Functions Of Spiral Staircases [print this page] The spiral staircase, like many other modern architectural features, has had their place in history. While spiral stairs have many uses, and are often pleasing at an aesthetic level, they were created hundreds of years ago as a way to bridge vertical gaps in a confined space.
In its strict definition, a spiral staircase is a flight of steps with a central pole or post in which stairs are set out in a spiral. As the stairs progress up the pole in a screw-like pattern, elevation is achieved by walking up the stairs. Though an exact date isn't known, the spiral staircase came into common use between the 5th and 12th centuries during the middle ages as a way to reach the top of towers, often held inside a castle's outer walls.
Spiral stairs in medieval times were generally made of stone and typically wound in a clockwise direction from the ascenders point of view. This is orientation was made in order to place attacking swordsmen who were most often right-handed at a disadvantage. This asymmetry forced the right-handed swordsman to engage the central pike. It degrades his mobility compared with the defender who is facing down the stairs. The narrow stairs also forced both parties to engage only in one-one-one combat, increasing the defenders advantage.
Today, spiral stairs are used both for their functionality and their visual appeal. They maximize floor space, are aesthetically appealing, and often make efficient use of areas in smaller homes and condominiums. Exterior spiral stairs can be used to provide access to a second floor terrace, without taking too much space from the lawn or the garage.
Although the first spiral staircases were made of stone, the technology has advanced to include other materials such as wood, and metals. Like most other furnishings, exterior spiral stairs can be customized, depending on the homeowner's budget and design limitations.
Both interior and exterior spiral stairs can serve functional and aesthetic purposes. First seen in castles and medieval towers, the spiral staircase today offers an easy to build, space-saving solution to problems with achieving vertical access in the modern homes of today.
