2004 Stainless Steel Awards


Runner Up Projects Category   

Whitbybird & Littlehampton Welding
Project : Design and manufacture of the staircase at Worldcom's Headquarters in the UK




The bespoke staircase at the main entrance of MCI (formerly WorldCom) European offices, designed and installed by UK engineering practice Whitbybird and fabricated by Littlehampton Welding, was named runner up in the Projects category of the 2004 Stainless Steel Awards, hosted by the Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association.  This particular project was both innovative and creative, two of the “values” that guided judges during the adjudication process.

An innovative and precise 3D design process enabled Whitbybird to manage the design and construction of the staircase, providing the client a visual representation of the organic sculpted structure throughout the process as well. The original hand sketch was rendered into a 3D model and then imported to an analytical 3D package that enabled precise specification of all the materials for the fabricator who, in turn, adopted the model and generated workshop drawings from it. The entire staircase was then prefabricated within the workshop facilitating quick installation on site at the Reading International Business Park, in Reading, UK.

The staircase, which combines a stainless steel frame with glass treads that give the impression of lightness and clarity, is a focal point for the circulation of the building and creates an immediate visual and structural impact that complements the corporate image. 

Whitbybird
60 Newman Street London
W1T3DA UK

+44 20 7462 5341
+44 20 7462 5258

sinead.mcewen@whitbybird.com