SIM EE KWANG (N0612529)
RESEARCH PROJECT
BA (HONS) INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN
(FINAL YEAR)
What is Interactive Staircase?
An interactive staircase does not only serve its function of connecting different floor level. At the same time, it transforms the user experience into a whole new level by changing a boring staircase into a fun, engaging and user-friendly staircase by integrating mostly with design and technologies. Eventually, it attracts more people to use it. Hence, creates a healthy society which significantly increased their physical activity through daily usage.
Interactive staircase can be catogerized into 3 different sections. First type of staircase uses sound, such as piano staircase to form an interaction with people. Second type of staircase uses light, such as LED staircase to make the whole staircase looks alive. Third type of staircase uses interesting design to attract people to interact with it.
Case Studies
1.) Piano Stairs in Stockholm, Sweden
The idea of piano stairs was first created by "The Fun Theory" by Volkswagen Group in Odenplan Subway Station. Their main objective and mission is to tackle the message of "take the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator and feel better," which only few people actually follow that advice (Volkswagen, 2009). After installing the piano stairs, 66% of people choose to use the stairs rather than the escalator (DesignLike, 2012) But, how? They made it the FUN way.
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Video 1
2.) Piano Stairs in Milan, Italy
It was created outside of the the subway station of the Dome square in Milan contributing to create a successful event. Also, it was inspired by the concept of “The Fun Theory” by Volkswagen Group. The design of this big musical “Piano Keyboard” produces the sound of a real classical piano (Cmuse, 2014).
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Video 2
3.) Piano Stairs in Hangzhou, China
In order to encourage people from choosing to walk the staircase rather than to take the escalator, Wulin Plaza in Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province, had turned 54 steps into a large piano. They offers the freedom for pedestrain to play a melody while walking up and down the stairs (DesignLike, 2012).
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4.) Plasma Stairs in Rome, Italy
Louis Vuitton had done a great achievement by installing interactive plasma staircase near to the window display. The purpose is to attract passerby to walk into the store in order to experience it. The staircase can be converted into trailing vines, gushing water, or a classic Louis Vuitton trunk. Also, it is a feast for the label monger's eyes (Mike, 2007).
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Video 3
5.) La Maison Unique in New York, USA
Longchamp had invited Heatherwick Studio to design their new global flagship store located at Soho, New York. "This unusual configuration of space allowed the design team to come up with a design solution that turns into an advantage; a three storey void cut through the building bringing daylight down and people up a landscape formed by a staircase; a major intervention behind an unassuming facade." This project had earned an award from AIA Top Honour and Design Weeks Best Retail Interior (Heatherwick Studio, n.d.)
