Amazing Spiral Staircase With Book Shelves Dezeen

Amazing Spiral Staircase With Book Shelves
Dezeen

Found on Dezeen, this amazing staircase is in the former home of Portuguese poet and philosopher Antero de Quental. Though he lived there for only a decade — 1881-1891 — the building was recently converted into a literary center and the spiral staircase with integrated book shelves takes center stage.

Resembling a nautilus, the wide spiral stairs were part of the gut renovation of the interior of the building by Architect Manuel Maia Gomes. The stairs are encircled by a book shelf of translucent plexiglass elements that allows natural light from exterior windows to pass through into the interior of the stairs.

For more images and information from the architect and photographer, see Dezeen | House Antero de Quental by Manuel Maia Gomes.

Images: Fernando Guerra

Comments (11)

Spiral.

posted by badjane on March 22nd 2010 at 2:21pm
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I can easily picture myself dropping a book from the top shelf and severely injuring someone on the bottom floor.

posted by SoulChorea on March 22nd 2010 at 2:26pm
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Oh my god, this is Borges' "Library of Babel"!

posted by tulpoeid on March 22nd 2010 at 2:42pm
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this is amazing.
!!!

posted by petrichorlady on March 22nd 2010 at 2:45pm
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tulpoeid- wow that is good! I remember reading that short story it gave me anxiety.

posted by b77 on March 22nd 2010 at 3:04pm
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so do those stairs go anywhere, It seems like no.

posted by funstraw on March 22nd 2010 at 3:06pm
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It looks stunning, but light (artificial or natural) is damaging to books. Is the plexiglass UV shielded? That would help, but not enough. I wouldn't put my books on those shelves.

posted by rayma on March 22nd 2010 at 3:18pm
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Looks nice, but I'm afraid if I put any books in there, it will ruin the whole look.

posted by suzy8track on March 22nd 2010 at 3:40pm
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I agree with Rayma -- light and books just don't mix. That said, I've always wanted a nice big stairwell lined with books.

posted by Balwearie on March 22nd 2010 at 4:41pm
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There won't BE much light if the shelves are loaded with opaque books. And stairwlls lined with books are only for those who don't READ the books or for those with mountain goat balance! (Me -- I'd plummet to my death trying to reach ahead!)

It's pretty, but I suggest it would make a better display for a nice collection of art glass...

posted by SherryBinNH on March 22nd 2010 at 5:56pm
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What a great design idea! I concur with SherryBinNH, unless the stair was much GRANDER, the amount of space one has to grab a book isn't very comfortable. Great idea for a stair though. Kudos!

posted by StairGuy101 on July 6th 2010 at 5:38pm
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