Objets Extraordinaires : Staircase - Van Cleef & Arpels Vendôme

The staircase was conceived as a gesture of delicacy and transparency. Pierced at its center, it integrates a cable that provides rigidity and stability, like a spine. The handrail, in wrought iron, is inspired by butterfly wings: despite the strength of the material, the whole structure feels incredibly light, almost in motion.
From the very entrance, the visitor’s gaze is drawn to what would become the masterpiece of the space. The staircase dramatizes the interior and invites exploration, setting the tone for this new address.

The design took months of collaboration and calculation, bringing together designers, engineers, architects, and stone carvers to imagine a perfectly stable structure.
A full-scale mock-up was assembled in the workshop: the six stone blocks and the monumental handrail were fitted together to ensure the precision of the entire piece. This step was essential, as the space hosting the staircase was narrow, leaving no room for error during installation.

It is hard to believe that this airy structure rests on six massive stone blocks, each weighing more than a ton. Three tensioned cables, invisible to the eye, give rigidity to the whole and create the illusion of a floating staircase. The steps, highlighted by subtle lighting, enhance the sense of lightness and movement.
To achieve this ethereal effect, each stone element was first profiled, then machined with CNC technology, and finally refined by hand. The expertise of the stone carvers was essential to give the material its softness and unique sensuality. Technology here only makes sense in harmony with craftsmanship.
The project also required a meticulous approach to furniture and layout, blending stone, wood, glass, metal, and Corian to achieve this level of precision and refinement.