Architects love staircases, and this year we've seen all kinds – from smooth concrete curves and twisting corkscrews, to structures built from reclaimed wood and rusty steel. Dezeen's architecture editor Amy Frearson has selected 10 of the best. More about Dezeen's top 10 staircases of 2014
A Tel Aviv flat that was once the home of Israel's first prime minster has been renovated and extended by local firm Pitsou Kedem Architects to create a new basement level with industrial-style fittings (+ slideshow). More about David Ben-Gurion's former home renovated by Pitsou Kedem Architects
A white spiral staircase that contrasts with the surrounding stone walls is one of several modern interventions that architect Elisabete Saldanha has added to this converted farmhouse in Portugal (+ slideshow). More about Elisabete Saldanha combines historical features with contemporary details at House in Guimarães
Angular shapes have been sliced out of the planks of smooth maple that encase a staircase at the centre of this Montreal renovation by Naturehumaine (+ slideshow). More about Naturehumaine add maple and steel staircase to 1960s house
A spiral staircase rises through the trough-shaped floors of this concrete residence in Japan by local studio Takeshi Hosaka Architects (+ slideshow). More about Spiral stairs puncture hilly floors inside Takeshi Hosaka's House in Byobugaura
A ribbon of veneered wood fronts this staircase in a refurbished and extended Montreal residence by local office Naturehumaine. More about Naturehumaine includes ribbon-like staircase in refurbished Montreal residence
Exposed brick walls, rugged wooden ceiling beams and chunky wooden staircases with zigzagging undersides feature inside this office block in London, recently renovated by Amin Taha Architects (+ slideshow). More about Amin Taha Architects peels back layers of plasterboard to create open-plan offices
A sculptural white staircase links a geometric tiled foyer to the upper floor of this remodelled apartment by Porto-based studio Correia/Ragazzi Arquitectos (+ slideshow). More about Correia/Ragazzi Arquitectos add curving white staircase to a remodelled Portuguese apartment
A wooden staircase cantilevers over the central atrium that architect Andrew Pilkington has cut through the first floor of a Victorian building in west London to transform two small apartments into one large residence (+ slideshow). More about Andrew Pilkington combines two Notting Hill apartments with a central atrium
Powerhouse Company has remodelled the lower floors of a 1980s office block in Rotterdam to create a marble-lined foyer and dining space designed to emulate a hotel lobby (+ slideshow). More about Powerhouse Company remodels office foyer in marble and dark wood to resemble a hotel lobby
The exposed criss-crossing skeleton of this see-through house in Japan frames a labyrinth of wall-less rooms connected by over a dozen different staircases (+ slideshow). More about Yuusuke Karasawa's maze-like S House has an entirely transparent facade
A freestanding concrete staircase spirals between the floors of this timber-frame and stone building remodelled by the founders of A1 Architects to form their own home and studio in Prague (+ slideshow). More about Charred-timber extension by A1 Architects transforms an old cottage into a home and studio
The distinctive grey and yellow colour palette of this nursery school in Germany, by Ecker Architekten, extends to lighting fixtures, storage closets, doors and staircases (+ slideshow). More about Kindergarten by Ecker Architekten features an austere colour palette and a spiral staircase
Norwegian architect Tron Meyer has designed a spiral staircase made entirely from laminated wood carved into curving steps that optimise the space for walking on (+ slideshow). More about Risa spiral staircase by Tron Meyer features fanning timber steps
Continuous wooden elements create treads in both upper and lower sections of this U-shaped staircase at a Mumbai apartment by Mexican studio Arquitectura en Movimiento Workshop . More about Waves of wood form staircase at SDM Apartment by Arquitectura en Movimiento Workshop
A thin metal staircase provides access to the renovated attic space of this house in Belgium by Kortrijk design studio Five AM (+ slideshow). More about Delicate staircase leads to Isle of Water attic extension by Five AM
A new internal framework of wooden columns, beams and staircases provides a warm contrast to the rough stone walls of this old farmhouse in rural Spain, renovated by Barcelona studio 2260mm (+ slideshow). More about Renovated Spanish farmhouse by 2260mm conceals a new structure behind its walls
A spiralling staircase with a stripy central balustrade unites the refurbished spaces of this city hall in the French commune of Le Pré Saint-Gervais by Paris firm Zoomfactor Architectes. More about Zoomfactor Architectes updates a city hall with a spiralling staircase
A precast staircase is one of several concrete elements that Mexican studio Warm Architects has added through the interior and exterior of this house in Cancún, Mexico (+ slideshow). More about Warm Architects adds cast concrete staircase to Garcia's House in Cancún
Lengths of reclaimed timber envelop the grand staircase that Melbourne office March Studio has created at the entrance to Hotel Hotel in Canberra, Australia (+ slideshow). More about March Studio adds thousands of timber planks to staircase of Canberra's Hotel Hotel