August Håkansson Orsvall wins first prize in Weland Next Step

The winner of Weland’s design competition for architecture students has been selected. The winning entry from August Håkansson Orsvall was a spiral staircase that demonstrated impressive and consistent minimalism.

Orsvall impressed the judges with a spiral staircase that took the form of a lookout platform. With consistent use of standard profiles, his entry highlighted what could be achieved with the material – from a transparent centre section to the inviting terminals of the handrails. The result is a convincing structure that combines a clarity of vision with well thought out proportions. Presenting the staircase as a lookout platform is a concept that works well, but it is also easy to imagine the staircase working in many other environments, both indoors and outdoors. It feels natural, simple, and functional. Nothing is superfluous – all elements are essential.

In addition to the prize money, the entry was turned into a full-scale prototype that was showcased during building industry trade fair Nordbygg, 23-26 April at the Stockholmsmässan exhibition centre.

Published: 23.11.2023