‘Economic’: Bizarre staircase in Melbourne home
Aussies are divided over an unusual architectural choice in a Melbourne home, with some dubbing the design the “death stairs”.
An Australian renter who shared a photo of the “death stairs” in their kitchen has sparked heated debate online over the unusual feature.
The unique design for the kitchen of the Melbourne home includes a staircase that forms part of the kitchen bench.
WhyHive start up founder T Guthrie, who used to live in the home and “traverse the stairs”, posted a photo of the stairs on social media, imploring those who were curious to ask questions about their experience in the kitchen.
Many were quick to point out potential hygiene issues with those living in the home walking near the space where food was prepared, something Mx Guthrie said wasn’t an issue.
“We straight up didn’t prepare food on that section of bench so this was actually kinda fine,” they wrote.
Imaginations ran rampant about potential dangers associated with the design, with many imagining a tripping hazard could come into play.
“Sorry I’m late for work. I slipped on last night’s leftovers and twisted my ankle. When I fell I hit my head on breakfast,” one person joked.
“When you slip on a wet side and impale yourself on the tap,” another said.
Mx Guthrie said the reality was very different.
“When we washed the dishes and got water on the bench sometimes our socks would get wet going up the stairs,” they said of the worst part of the design.
Designed in 2009, the extension to the three bedroom home in Melbourne’s Fitzroy North was created by Andrew Maynard Architects, who have dubbed it the Tattoo House.
The extension was designed to “provide new living and kitchen space for a growing young family” the architects said.
“We try to be economic with our concepts and make a couple of key ideas achieve multiple and varied tasks,” Andrew Maynard architects said of the design.
“Every element within the Tattoo House needed to perform multiple functions for maximum return- hence the kitchen bench becomes part of the stair, and the screening required by council reflects heat and glare away from the expansive windows.
While many said the idea made them “gag”, some Australians were quick to say they liked the design.
“I personally think its quite a cool feature and talking point of course... wet socks seems a small price to pay,” one person wrote.