#staircase — Modernist Delights

Staircases, Torquay, 2025

A closed shopfront with a sign reading otto. Two symmetrical staircases lead up on either side, separated by a central railing and a grated window. Overcast sky and some palm trees are visible above the structure. The area appears empty.

A spiral staircase not obscured by a wall in the Docklands, London, 2025

A modern white building with a central cylindrical glass tower enclosing a spiral staircase. The building has symmetrical rectangular windows and balconies on both sides. The sky above is overcast with grey clouds.

Throwback to the same staircase from 2024 – en route to a café, I incidentally approached Barrier Point from the other side, and there it was!

This way to the car park, Huddersfield, 2025

A faded sign reading “To Car Park” hangs above a narrow, worn staircase with yellow-striped steps. The stairs ascend between old brick and concrete walls. A metal handrail lines the right side, next to a red and white striped pole on the pavement.

Fire exits & AC units, Huddersfield, 2025

A narrow alleyway between stone buildings features a metal fire escape with zigzagging stairs and railings. Several air conditioning units are mounted on the right wall. Sunlight illuminates steps, and a rubbish bin with bags of bread sits in the left corner.

Pearl Assurance House, Huddersfield, 2025

A city street scene showing a modern grey building labelled PEARL with glass-walled stairs, next to white and black older façades. Shops at street level include PADDYPOWER, fusion housing, and TOWN NEWS. A person stands outside, and someone sits at a table.

Spiral staircase at Manchester Victoria railway station, 2025

A green metal spiral staircase with mesh railings stands outdoors, sheltered partially by round roofs. It is attached to a modern building, next to a fence and construction barriers, with a cloudy sky and city buildings in the background.

Chaddesley House, Burnley, 2025

An exterior metal staircase with rusty railings is attached to a brick building. A broken window is visible on the left. A blue car is parked in front, and another tan brick building stands in the background under a cloudy sky.

The image shows a dilapidated entrance to an old building. The doors are covered with frosted glass and graffiti, the paint on the canopy is peeling, and warning signs are visible. The walkway leading to the doors is bordered by black railings.

A rooftop area with pyramid-shaped skylights, some litter, and dirt. To the right is a brown and beige building with many windows, some open. In the background, there are older stone buildings, a street with people, and flower planters on a railing.

A large, three-storey brick building with many broken windows and peeling paint. Debris and triangular skylights cover the flat roof below. The sky is overcast, and the building appears abandoned and in disrepair.

Erstwhile offices of Lancashire County Council, awaiting conversion into housing.

External stairs & vent, National Theatre, London, 2025

A brutalist concrete staircase with three steep flights leads to upper levels, framed by thick railings. Metal barriers and a traffic cone block the lower entrance. The building’s geometric, angular lines dominate the symmetrical design.

Stairwell, National Theatre, London

A dimly lit concrete stairwell with dark carpeted steps leads upward and turns left; stainless steel railings line both sides. The walls are textured concrete, and a small sign reading “STAIRS” is visible above the landing.

Denys Wilkinson Building, Oxford, 2025

A modern concrete building with large windows sits next to an older brick building. A broad staircase with white railings leads up to the entrance. Several trees and a blue informational sign are visible, and the sky is partly cloudy.

A modern, multi-storey building with large glass windows and concrete walls stands beside a road. A street lamp is in front, green trees frame the right and top left, and a sign reads Banbury Road at the corner. The sky is overcast.

A large, modern building with angular, jutting concrete and glass structures. The lower level is textured concrete, while upper floors feature large dark glass windows. Two people walk on a pavement beside the building on a cloudy day.

Now offices, the tower used to house a vertical electrostatic accelerator – alas, my physics knowledge stops well short of knowing what one of those is. Designed by Philip Dowson of Arup.