Architectural stair detailing requires more than just clean drawings—it calls for balance between aesthetics, real-world field conditions, and shop efficiency. This project gave us the opportunity to demonstrate all three, as we standardized stair and landing components while accommodating uneven floor heights using point cloud data.
The Challenge:
Although the stair system looked typical at first, the point cloud told a different story. Floor heights varied by as much as 3/8 inch between different areas, introducing complexity into what needed to be a standardized, modular design.
To maintain identical piece marks for all landings—and most stringers—we had to account for these discrepancies without altering the geometry of each component. This meant creating a solution that was both flexible in the field and consistent in the shop.
Our Expertise:
We partnered closely with the client to model all stair landings and stringers using concealed shims. These allowed us to absorb floor-level differences while keeping the steel geometry identical. As a result, we maintained uniform piece marks and eliminated unnecessary shop variations.
Moreover, we closely monitored every adjustment to ensure that no small change would break the standardization logic. By working directly from the point cloud, we minimized guesswork and built accuracy directly into the model.
The Result:
This approach to architectural stair detailing paid off across the board. The standardized pieces simplified fabrication, reduced lead time, and kept costs under control. Additionally, field fit-up went smoothly since our model was grounded in accurate, real-world data.
In short, we delivered a stair system that was clean, consistent, and cost-effective—designed to be installed without field modifications or delays.
Need architectural stairs detailed to match your vision and your schedule?
ESD Solutions delivers accurate, fabrication-ready models that perform beautifully in the shop and on site.
