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STAIRS WOOD TERRAZZO DRESSING
The stairs surface in the stairs must be hard and smooth Creative efforts are continued when the work gets underway.
to resist wear and for maintenance. Originally, attaching risers to the concrete below by means of
two stainless steel lag screws whose head should be invisible
Step edges must be anti-skid, not too hard to avoid cracks was the idea set out in the basic plan. The contractor suggested
in the event of a fall and resilient, as they bear all the main an alternative with an invisible fixation from the rear using
pressure (shocks and friction). metallic corner pieces. This proposal was adopted despite the
problem of making the dismantling process more complicated.
There is no single material combining all these criteria.
Therefore, it is necessary to assemble the various elements. Safety for the visually impaired has also been taken into
consideration by creatively applying enforceable standards:
The solution applied for emergency staircases is specific – the first and last steps of each flight are stained in a dark
to the Europa building. colour to make them easier to identify;
– steps are composed of prefabricated polished (hard and – on each level, the half landing giving access to the
smooth) terrazzo slabs set upon a mortar base. Landings too descending flight of stairs is covered in granulated stainless
are terrazzo and cast and polished onsite; steel producing a slight relief to signal users where they stand.
– step edges are combined with risers as massive oak profiles
with chamfered edges, attached to the structure’s concrete.
Step edges guide the level for terrazzo steps;
– rubber anti-skid profiles are set into grooves that are made
in the top side of the risers.