After reading one of my recent blogs, my photographer friend, Steve Immel asked about the process used in developing them.  How I come up with blog ideas and how I proceeded to put them together. This week's blog would fall into the category of odd inspiration, developing into an architectural travelog.  It came to me after watching one of those inane cable programs about searching for real estate, purely as an antidote to the political news, snow, and cold.  It appears that even in the warmer coastal climates of the United States, homes and vacation homes seem to be built for the sole purpose of providing a roof over one's head.  For the most part, they are constructed for a retired couple, with the thought of housing children and grandchildren for a week or two.  The homes are totally lacking in style and design, making me frequently suck air as the realtor proudly showed the buyers around the property.  That alone made me ponder the things I love in buildings, including stairs.  

Multiple-story dwellings require a way to get from the ground floor to the upper floors.  In some parts of the world, stone or concrete ramps provide the needed rise in elevation, but stairs seem to be the most common solution.  Even in modern high rise buildings that incorporate elevators to achieve the rise in elevation, there are still stair wells in case of fire.  Staircases can be strictly functional or provide both function and great beauty.  Either way, I love the look and the feeling of rising to another secret or unknown space by climbing them.  If designed and built well, stairs and staircases are architectural wonders.  It does not matter whether they are straight or incorporate graceful curves, they are fascinating.

Below is a staircase at the Territorial House in Taos, that can be closed off by massive wooden doors.  It is very vertical and frontal, but still manages to provide drama.

Staircase, Territorial House, Taos

Humble adobe and brick combined adds the functionality of mass to the mix.

Big Sage stairs

In order to maintain the symmetry of a pyramid or temple, stairs were on all sides, such as the Temple of the Seven Dolls in Dzibilchaltun, Mexico.

Temple of the Seven Dolls

A gracefully curving stairway in the Tlaquepaque area of Guadalajara,  Mexico

Tlaquepaque stairs

More curve and twisting is quite apparent in the beautiful staircase located in one of the dormitories at United World College, in Montezuma, New Mexico.

United World College staircase, toned

And finally, an ornate and beautiful staircase in Melk Abbey, Austria

Melk Abbey staircase

Perhaps a staircase of interest will help you rise to an occasion this week!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@