Reclaimed Oak Staircase Shortlisted By Build It Awards for ‘Best Staircase 2023’
Following a strong track record for being nominated by Build It Awards in the ‘Best Joinery’ category, Bisca is delighted to announce its reclaimed oak staircase has been shortlisted this year for the newly created category – ‘The Best Staircase 2023’. Now in their 12th year, the Build It Awards are the most recognised in the self-build industry – bringing ‘rigorous and impartial judging’ to the table and designed to reward the most talented businesses serving the industry, from staircase specialists and architects, to construction products and sustainable technologies; the awards evaluate a vast range of skillsets.
The ‘Best Staircase’ category required applicants to feature a single product, showcasing how the design and crafting process set it apart and why it was specifically suited to the needs of self-builders and renovators.
A self-build staircase project using the character of reclaimed oak
Bisca’s award submission featured a staircase project which had been led by its founder and design director, Richard McLane. Approaching their 30th anniversary, Richard has expanded the business over this time – which today has an unmatched reputation for exceeding client expectations and creating some of the world’s most intricately designed and hand-crafted staircases; each completely bespoke to the client and property they are made for – both in the UK and all around the globe.
It was the recycling of old canal lock gates that made this project particularly unique; the reclaimed oak timber staircase was manufactured and designed at Bisca’s head office premises and workshop based in Helmsley, North Yorkshire – which would eventually be transported to the self-build homeowners property in Northumberland. They were converting a barn with an affinity for preserving its history and a clear intent for retaining many of the building’s original features; the staircase would be a focal point, placed in the centre of the living space and so needed to reflect and complement the barn’s unique character.
Breathing new life into a self-build barn renovation project
The staircase aspect of any project for a self-build/renovator client is always a daunting prospect, due to the technical expertise and skill involved. A staircase will without doubt have a dramatic impact on the aesthetics, layout and flow of the interior space and needs to be considered as an integral feature within a building’s renovation and design.
Working closely with the property owners to fully understand their aspirations, Bisca’s aim is always to take as much hassle away from this entire process as possible – creating a feature that is unique to the property it is designed for and which offers both functional and visual exclusivity. In particular, this reclaimed oak staircase offered integrity and honesty, with the recycled canal lock gates bringing new life to the farm building.
Each tread being hand-carved in Bisca’s workshop to create a chunky yet perfectly curved formation – the character of the timber added movement, texture and elegance to its appearance. The oak treads were sized to subtly overhang the underlying stringers, enhancing the visibility of the repurposed timber’s grain. Bronze butterfly ties – forged by Bisca’s blacksmith – were inserted into the tread sides to maintain their structural integrity and form an attractive detail.
Bringing a curvaceous form, the staircase’s twisting helical structure extends to the first floor with a sweeping plastered soffit to the underside; creating the most graceful transition as the staircase rises through the building.
“We were looking for our stairs to be a central feature to our home and to reflect the building’s past. Richard understood this and translated our expectations into the perfect design, first time.”
Designed with precision and finished to perfection, Bisca’s selection of rustic materials brought charm to the space and assisted in transforming the barn into beautiful living accommodation.
Bisca is undeniably proud of the craftmanship and skill that has been displayed during this project and equally privileged to have had its work recognised by this year’s Build It Awards in the ‘Best Staircase’ category.
To find out more about this project, please click here
