a person walks down a white staircase into an office common area

February 21, 2024

Dynamic Staircases Encourage Movement in This Tech Office

2023 Best of Year Winner for Commercial Staircase

“Movement” was the design concept for this 16-floor tech workspace in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a notion exemplified via a series of dynamic feature staircases that encourage physicality and interaction while expressing and celebrating the flow of foot traffic between levels. Designed by Utile and Merge Architects, connecting three of the floors is an asymmetrically stacked ribbon of steel, its ash balustrade morphing into banquette seating at the base. The swooping form exerts a gravitational pull, inviting staffers to look over and enjoy views of the activity. Another stair with a geometric switchback profile makes a statement in bold blue, its translucent Panelite sidewall filtering the motion of ascent and descent through to the opposite side.

See Interior Design’s Best of Year Winners and Honorees

Explore must-see projects and innovative products that took home high honors.

2024 WINNERS

a person walks down a staircase with sky blue walls

a black staircase near illuminated wall panels

PROJECT TEAM

UTILE: MIMI LOVE; CHANTEL KOCHER; CLAUDIA PORRAS; JACK CORRIVEAU; PETRA JAROLIMOVA.

MERGE ARCHITECTS: ELIZABETH WHITAKER; DIANA TOMOVA; CHRIS JOHNSON.

Projects
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Working with the Guangshou Academy of Fine Arts on a Shenzhen metro line, Vantree Design incorporated abstract forms that reflect the landscape of each stop.
Projects
Experience The Humanistic Revamp Of This Futuristic Workplace
Sited among mountains and water, Alibaba DAMO Nanhu Industry Park by Matrix Design is shaped by both its beautiful scenery and scientific functions.
Projects
Step Into The ‘60s At This Retro-Chic Canadian Hotel
Workshop/APD and Metafor turn a 1960’s motor lodge in the Canadian Rockies into the Moxy Banff, and the age of Aquarius has never looked so good.