When Ashley Williams set out to transform their Forest Hill rooftop into a private terrace, the design of their new spiral staircase evolved naturally from the area’s traditional and industrial roots.
Planning permission had already been secured, but the property had no existing roof access, and the route to achieving this wasn’t straightforward. With only one viable location for a staircase that would grant access, and a desire to enhance the architecture of the home, British Spirals & Castings were brought in to develop a bespoke solution:
“We did a lot of research to try and find a provider that could create a bespoke product that was light enough for our needs but still looking like a traditional iron structure. We found British Spirals & Castings through a google search, and they were one of very few providers that could deliver exactly what we needed – and with a sensible price point!” said Ashley.
Ashley selected a Victorian-style cast aluminium spiral staircase, which would stand at 3.26 metres tall. But, due to the relatively small size of the courtyard, aligning a spiral staircase with the terrace floor above appeared impossible without repositioning its base. Instead, an inventive solution was developed. Two straight steps were added at the top of the staircase, allowing a perfect flow onto the terrace without compromising the space below.
Using CAD software, the company’s team developed detailed drawings that defined the staircase’s style, proportions, and dimensions, allowing for these adjustments to be made before manufacturing began. Once the design was finalised, the components were cast, finished with a black powder coat, and assembled.
The finished staircase sits confidently within a space that balances old and new. Dark metalwork and intricate detailing echo Victorian ironmongery and the area’s industrial roots, while the surrounding elements, like the green tiled walls and dark timber floors, reinterpret traditional London service spaces in a more contemporary, domestic context.
For homeowners facing complex layouts or tight footprints, this project highlights how specialist design and manufacturing can turn constraints into opportunities and create spaces that feel both purposeful and beautifully resolved.