The Staircase: Studies of Hazards, Falls, and Safer Design

by John Templer

John Templer has written the first theoretical, historical, and scientific analysis of one of the most basic and universal building the stair. Together, these two volumes present a detailed study of stairs and ramps -- the art and science of their design, their history, and their hazards. For the designer and the art and architectural historian, the first volume treats the fascinating history of stairs and their immense influence on the art and science of architecture. It is illustrated with more than 100 photographs from around the world and reviews the literature on stairs (as well as ladders and railings and ramps) from Vitruvius to Venturi. Templer considers the whole play of meanings in the idea of the stair -- as art object, as structural idea, as legal prescription, or as poetic fancy -- making it clear that the stair is simultaneously an aesthetic, architectonic, ergonomic, and cultural element. The second volume shows the dangers stairs present. Drawing on twenty years of human factors research on stairs, Templer sets out what is known about slips, trips, and falls and how best to design stairs to avoid their inherent dangers. He discusses the physiological and behavioral relationship between humans and stairs and walkways, the question of gait and slippery surfaces, and the various types of falls and the injuries that result. Perhaps most importantly, Templer proposes the idea of the soft stair, which could substantially reduce the annual epidemic of stair-related deaths and injuries.

Genres: Architecture

216 pages, Hardcover

First published April 22, 1992

Reviews

[Alexander Van Leadam · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second volume of Templer's account of stairs and ramps focuses on functional aspects, although the relation to the overall design of the rest of the building is never far away, as in Palladio's stair sizes, which clearly connect to his client's use of stairs for ceremonial purposes. The book presents an analytical, detailed and methodical parsing of human-stair interaction that facilitates thorough and transparent understanding of all factors in stair design. The difference with other textbooks on the subject is striking: the latter are usually restricted to a normative treatment of design factors, which in this book is just one chapter (no 7) - a summary of issues discussed in detail in previous chapters. Such an analytical and transparent framework also allows for easy updating: new research findings that enlighten many of the obscure aspects of stair walking can be easily plugged in.
It's not insignificant that reading this book reads more like a journey account: the author gives us an expert tour of stairs and ramps, allowing us to look at them from various angles - it's nothing like the summary commandments one usually encounters in design textbooks.

[Craig Messenger · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well intentioned but mostly useless. Author seems mostly interested in the bio characteristics of human gait. Worse, there’s a bunch of psychology mumbo jumbo thrown in there as well. I can confidently say that this book is the published work that best approximates the experience of taking the science portion of the ACT.

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't fall!

[Evie · Rating 4 out of 5]

one of the most useful and analytical studies on stairs I've ever read. I borrowed it from the library 4 months ago, sadly i think its time to return it:/ But it helped a lot with my essay on stairs, so I highly recommend it if you are looking for info on that subject