Asentis was engaged under a Design & Construct contract to deliver the feature staircase for Harry The Hirer’s new headquarters within a 100-year-old heritage building. While the overall stair concept had already been established, several critical design and construction challenges remained unresolved, requiring detailed development to bring the vision to life.
The client’s brief called for an industrial aesthetic, incorporating perforated mesh balustrades finished in Harry The Hirer’s signature blue. Although the stair geometry was largely defined, significant design work was required around the lift shaft enclosure, skylight interfaces and connection detailing. A particular focus was the development of a workable fixing methodology for the mesh cladding to the lift shaft, which required prototyping to validate both appearance and constructability.
One of the project’s greatest challenges centred on the paint finish requirements. The client sought a warranted coating system that could only be achieved through off-site application. However, the original installation methodology relied on extensive site welding, which would have damaged the finish and required repainting on site. To resolve this, Asentis worked closely with the project team to redesign the connection strategy across the staircase, lift shaft and skylight structures. Welded connections were replaced with mechanical and bolted solutions, enabling all major steelwork and mesh components to be painted off-site before installation.
To ensure the revised approach would perform as intended, Asentis produced and tested connection prototypes for both the lift shaft and skylight interfaces. This process provided confidence in the final detailing while maintaining the design intent and finish quality.
The completed staircase is a sculptural architectural feature that links all levels of the building through a series of intersecting flights. Engineered timber flooring, timber handrails, painted mesh balustrades, steel stringers and integrated LED lighting combine to create a dynamic focal point. Beyond connecting floors, the staircase delivers a visually striking experience that reflects Harry The Hirer’s creativity and transforms the workplace into a showcase of design, innovation and craftsmanship.
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