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
A national park in the Netherlands is the setting for this old water tower, which Dutch firm Zecc Architecten has transformed into an observation point by twisting staircases through its middle (+ slideshow). More about Zecc Architecten transforms an old water tower into a parkland observation point
A spiralling concrete staircase connects the 12 platforms that make up this split-level house in San Pedro de la Paz, Chile, by Chilean firm Pezo von Ellrichshausen (photos by Cristobal Palma + slideshow). More about Concrete staircase spirals up through Pezo von Ellrichshausen's Casa Gago
This office and workshop for a theatre designer in Osaka was designed by Japanese studio Mattch to look like a glazed box hovering between two solid curtains (+ slideshow). More about Set design studio in Japan by Mattch plays with theatrical imagery
London studio Haptic references eroded granite rock formations commonly found around the Norwegian coastline with the curving form of this layered timber staircase, created for an office interior in Oslo. More about Arkwright office by Haptic features slatted staircase emulating rock formations
A suspended steel staircase is completed by a piece of wooden furniture in this renovated Oslo loft by London studio Haptic (+ slideshow). More about Floating steel staircase divides Idunsgate Apartment by Haptic
This conceptual design for a family home by postgraduate architecture student Gonzalo Vaíllo Martínez features a fluid structural frame, a skeletal staircase and a skin incorporating blinds that open and close like gills (+ movie). More about Futuristic family home by Gonzalo Vaíllo Martínez based on biogenetic forms
A spiral of wooden strips surrounds a staircase in the restaurant of this Strasbourg hotel, designed inside a former equestrian academy by Paris studio Agence Jouin Manku (+ slideshow). More about Wooden strips coil around staircase at Strasbourg hotel by Jouin Manku
A dramatic oak staircase with a sweeping handrail connects the five storeys of this Victorian convent building in south London, which has been converted into four homes by John Smart Architects (+ slideshow). More about Curvaceous oak staircase ascends through converted convent by John Smart Architects
Residents climb over an integrated desk, storage space and shelving to reach the suspended upper section of this staircase by Dutch design studio Mieke Meijer. More about Suspended staircase combined with desk and storage space by Mieke Meijer
This Berlin townhouse by architecture office XTH-Berlin features doors that open like drawbridges, sloping floors that function as slides and nets that cover holes in the floors (+ slideshow). More about Slides, nets and drawbridges feature in Townhouse B14 by XTH-Berlin
An orange staircase zigzags back and forth across the atrium of this science faculty building that Canadian firm Saucier + Perrotte Architectes has completed for a Quebec college (+ slideshow). More about Grand orange staircase ascends through science faculty by Saucier + Perrotte
Dutch firm 8A Architecten has modernised a small labourer's house in Leiden by adding a large oak structure that incorporates a staircase, storage facilities and sofa (+ slideshow). More about 8A Architecten adds combined staircase and sofa to Leiden house
This hilltop staircase by Dutch firm NEXT Architects appears to create a continuous pathway, but it's actually impossible to walk round more than once without climbing off (+ slideshow). More about Hilltop staircase by NEXT Architects creates the illusion of an endless walkway
The central staircase inside this office in Mexico City by architecture studio Goko is made up of different sections, including some that look like they are upside down. More about Staircase with upside-down sections at an office in Mexico
An angular wooden staircase ascends the lobby of this office renovation in the Dutch town of Hoofddorp by Amsterdam architects Studioninedots (+ slideshow). More about De Burgemeester office with an angular wooden staircase by Studioninedots