The challenge to design a new and appropriate stair for the historic Blaine County Courthouse invited our firm to engulf itself in the past history respond to the current needs of this 1883 building.
An early approval by the Blaine County Commissioners in July 2002 launched a full study of the courthouse’s historic 1883 stair. Our initial scheme consisted of literal replication of the historic stair. Digital manipulation and physical analysis of historic photographs were the most successful tools in regenerating the stairs intricate detailing. Where photographs fell short, the studying of historic pattern books provided solutions. In the end, we were able to produce accurate, measured representations of the stair details and overall proportions, creating a schematic representation of what stood over a decade ago.
Design Team: Steve Trout, Ryan Lingard, Rob Powell, Neil King
