AQUON, Houten [NL]

EeStairs + Vakwerk Architecten

Aquon, an organisation dedicated to water quality and environmental research, required a staircase that would echo its mission of balance and sustainability within its headquarters in Houten. Vakwerk Architecten collaborated with EeStairs to create a helical staircase that seamlessly connects the podium to the first floor, blending aesthetic appeal with robust functionality.

The staircase’s structural integrity is rooted in its dual steel stringers, supporting composite-profile tread carriers. These carriers are entirely encased in three-layered Polish Pine plywood, lending the stair treads a natural, tactile warmth that contrasts with the underlying steel framework, primed in a durable zinc-phosphate coating. One technical challenge was the assembly of this substantial helical structure as a single unit, including the intricately crafted balustrade, which required precise positioning and joinery to ensure visual cohesion and structural soundness.

The staircase’s balustrade, a masterpiece of craftsmanship, comprises four layers of Polish Pine plywood, meticulously shaped in 3D and laminated. The balustrade’s surface is adorned with a pattern of perforations and engravings that gradually intensify with the ascent, creating a dynamic interplay of solidity and openness. Finished with a triple factory-applied lacquer, this layering and patterning not only enhance the visual appeal but also subtly represent the flow and filtration of water—an apt tribute to Aquon’s environmental focus.