Bata Shoe Factory, Batawa, Ontario [CA]

EeStairs + Dubbeldam Architecture + Design

The staircase EeStairs made for the repurposed Bata shoe factory in Ontario, Canada, was unusual in form and structure. The designers, BDP Quadrangle working with Dubbeldam Architecture + Design, wanted the two-stage staircase in the reception area to have boldly faceted balustrades and soffits – and be self-supporting.

EeStairs had to ensure that the asymmetrical triangular facets were joined seamlessly, and that the stairs were extremely strong and stable: EeStairs’ in-house team established the structural engineering requirements. The monumental staircase is made of steel plate, with 38mm thick balustrades and 6mm thick soffits. The steel tubing for the intricate handrail pipe-sections were laser-cut to ensure absolute accuracy.

The staircase was made in large sections at EeStairs’ Canadian factory, craned into position inside the Bata mixed-use building, and welded together precisely. The welds were then carefully ground down to produce perfectly straight, smooth joint-lines.