Whether exposed to public view in shops, offices and museums, or hidden away for private enjoyment in domestic interiors, staircases say much about the creativity and skill of an architect or designer. Presenting 49 key international projects from the last few years, this book provides a showcase for this sculptural of all architectural features. The book begins with a historical overview of staircases from the ancient world to the 20th century. This is followed by themed chapters focusing on landscape staircases, glass stairs, staircases as main features, stairs as sculpture, technical stairs and minimalist staircases. Projects featured range from Calatrava's footbridge at Bilbao to Philippe Starck's theatrical bar in Mexico City and are accompanied by commentaries. Among the architects and designers discussed are Tadao Ando, Ron Arad, I.M. Pei and Renzo Piano.

Eva Jiricna was born in Czechoslovakia and is now one of Britain's foremost architects. She has been associated with staircases since the celebrated glass and steel examples that she designed for the retailers Joseph and Joan & David in the US and Europe. Her most recent work includes Canada Water bus station, part of London Underground's new Jubilee Line Extension. Jiricna has taught and lectured at institutions around the world, and has been made a CBE for services to design.