You really mean that there's something magical, etc. about PHOTOGRAPHS of spiral staircases. In the real world, these angle isn't on view.

In the real world, tight spiral staircases are a pain in the ass. You can't move furniture up and down them, children and old people have trouble negotiating them, and so on.

These photos are great.

I think they are art worthy.

I took this in guanajuato-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44713708@N00/344229732/in/set-72157621509322774/

Just looking at the photos makes me dizzy! And they are very incovenient for the reasons mentioned by Palmetto.

I just moved from an apartment that had spiral stairs. Never again. I loved them, really, I did... until I had to do laundry, or move anything remotely large to the bedroom (like a basket full of laundry!).

I paid someone to move our furniture, because there was no way I was dealing with the furniture on the top floor again. Once was enough when we moved in.

The is the ultimate mysterious spiral stair.

i meant:



Loretto chapel.

Apologies - I stink at html right now.

I would love to have a staircase like that if only to have Louise Bourgeois' sculptures dance in it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/27/arts/design/27bour.html

Helical staircases I love - particularly for their sculptural effect and the open space in the center...
...plus they're far easier to manage than a spiral staircase w/ a centerpost.

But if I were to choose a spiral staircase, #3 with the glass treads would be it.

Beautiful. Brutal to climb, but beautiful. (Maybe we should think of them as sculpture and have a hidden elevator for actual transport!) ;^)

They are such a great combination of economical design and beauty. But, yes, a pain in the arse to move furniture up/down.

If you're ever in Santa Fe, the Loretto Chapel one already mentioned is really amazing - but they don't let you walk on it.

I am confused by Paletto's comment, though. These are photographs, but you can still see these same views in person. It's not a lens trick.

I've lived in a semidetached with only a spiral staircase and it didnt turn into a huge problem, the couch never had to go up those stairs, but a queen sized matress/box had no real problem... still a pain in the ass occasionally though.

Helicial, even. XD But they are synonymous, so I assume usage of terms just vary. Granted, I've never heard anyone refer to these as helical staircases before.

@dianalily

I must be missing something, but what is especially mysterious about those? (Or do you just particularly admire them? When you say mysterious, I expect and Escher-esque trick to pop out at me. XD)

They're not practical as an only staircase, but for secret back passages they're perfect.

Also, I think the person who said 'helical' was just trying to make a distinction between staircases with/without a center post.

@john m

Good point, but the janel laban has an extra 'i' in there, which isn't an accepted spelling as far as I know....