Hot-Step is a fireplace of carved mass of polished concrete that anchors a lightweight oak timber staircase seemingly floating above. It appears to emerge from the floor, creating a special moment beneath the stairs.
The architecture connects the home’s main lower ground living space with its upper floors, drawing light from above and heating the home from the fire below.
Between the ground and the sky
The staircase offers an experience starting from the heavy, grounded steps and fireplace at the bottom becoming lighter the further towards the sky one moves.
Carved and heavy versus light and airy
The concrete fire and staircase appear as they are carved out of the heavy concrete mass. The openness of the light wooden stairs sitting above ensures daylight from the top penetrates all the way down to the basement.