Lululemon, Time Warner Center, New York [US]

EeStairs + BKA Architects

When the leading yoga and activewear specialists, Lululemon, needed a feature staircase for their split-level store in New York’s Time Warner Center, the outcome was a staircase that visually conveyed the idea of gracefully poised effort.

BKA Architects produced the initial concept sketches, which EeStairs design team refined before producing extremely accurate production drawings for our in-house fabricators. Two aspects of the design combined to produce a significant challenge: the S-shape plan of the stairs, and the outer wooden balustrade, which was formed into an organic, gently curving open weave – part of which was a hidden gate to a mannequin platform.

These very different plan and elevation geometries had to be made and installed by EeStairs with great accuracy to deliver maximum visual impact, which is why EeStairs tested a small-scale mock-up of the design before making the stairs. Other key details include sandblasted steel stringers, walnut treads and railing, and a laminated glass inner balustrade.