Drawing and 3D Model Making

Winner: Cascade House staircase by PATALAB architecture

PATALAB architecture reimaged the antecedent windowless circulation routes of this once rambling
18th-century listed residence on Hampstead High Street, rendering the staircase as its key intervention. Running almost the entire height of Cascade House, the staircase leads you on a journey through the dwelling, sitting dramatically in a triple-height space. Large skylights allow natural light to flood in, contrasting against the dark textured internal facade of timber panels and black-stained treads. The timber panelling provides a tactile aspect alongside which the theatrical qualities of lightness and darkness turn this journey into a welcome experience. From every viewpoint the furthest end of the staircase can never been seen, creating a sense of mystery in the journey. This drawing aims to capture this uncertainty, not being simply a description of form, but encouraging the viewer to piece together and study the fragmented perspectives in the hope that an insight into the qualities of the stair might be imagined.

The judges said:
'A balance of complex sketches merging to create a strong graphic response'
'Beautiful simple architectural drawings; abstract but easy to read'

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