In July 2008 GRAS with Groves-Raines Architects Ltd were approached to reconfigure and amalgamate two A-listed properties into one at 35 Royal Terrace in Edinburgh. The brief was to create a two story dwelling with 3 public rooms, 4 bedrooms and a large dining/kitchen linked by a new stair. As it was the most significant alteration to the property and pivotal to the success of the project the client was keen to explore the possibility the clients were keen to explore the possibilities of the stair. Positioned at the heart of the house the stair linking the two levels together allows as much light as possible into the lower ground floor level. Inspired by the work of sculptors Locky Morris and Barbara Hepworth the conventional spiral stair plan has been twisted so that visually each tread tapers into the next creating a continuous timber surface when viewed from above.