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Sefton House Ackworth House

Based on our Lateralis system, Ackworth House crafted a custom staircase for an architect’s own award winning residence, delivering a staircase that became a defining feature of this celebrated home.

January 9, 2023
Residential
Sefton House, Residential Grey Lynn, Auckland
Ackworth Staircase

Design Brief

This unique project involved designing a staircase for an architect’s personal residence - an award-winning home (2025 Auckland Architecture Awards Winner) that required both precision and visual harmony. While the architect initially drew inspiration from Ackworth House’s standard Lateralis design, the brief called for a number of custom modifications to suit the home’s layout and aesthetic.

Key requirements included:

  • Customised landings aligned with exterior window placement
  • A supporting structure integrated into the timber fin balustrades
  • Visual continuity between the main feature stair and the lower-level staircase
  • A matching timber handrail incorporated into the balustrade

The stair wasn’t just a transitional element, it was to become a centrepiece in a home that exemplified thoughtful architecture and material detailing.

Staircase Ackworth house case study with Sefton House
Sefton House and Ackworth House Staircase
Sefton House with Ackworth House Staircase
Award winning Sefton House with Ackworth House Staircase
Ackworth House Staircase in Award winning Sefton House

Our Process

The project came to Ackworth House through a recommendation from the structural consulting engineer, who recognised the complexity of the design and the need for specialist input.

Consultation & Concept Development
Our team met with the architect and client early in the process to understand the spatial constraints, structural goals, and visual intent. We explored how the Lateralis system could be tailored to incorporate landings and fin balustrade support, all while aligning cleanly with key architectural elements such as exterior windows.

Consent & Engineering
We prepared a PS1 for council consent that addressed both the structural integrity and compliance requirements under the New Zealand Building Code. This gave the client confidence that the design would meet regulatory standards without compromise.

Site Measure & Detailing
During the construction phase, a detailed site measure was carried out to ensure absolute precision. Our team produced comprehensive shop drawings covering every aspect of the stair and balustrade system, taking care to reflect the desired alignment and structural performance.

Manufacture & Installation
With every detail approved, our manufacturing team produced the stair components at our Auckland facility. On-site installation was executed smoothly, with all elements fitting perfectly—thanks to the accuracy of the design and coordination work earlier in the process

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The Results

The completed staircase is a refined architectural feature, seamlessly integrated into the home’s overall design language. Its clean lines, finely crafted timber detailing, and structural ingenuity played a key role in the home’s award recognition.

The house went on to win a 2025 Auckland Architecture Award, a testament to the design excellence of the architect and the careful execution of key elements like the staircase.

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Elegantly designed and skillfully crafted staircases, backed by assistance and advice from the first spark of inspiration to the final installation.