Expert: Richard Taylor, AIA - 1/20/2008

Question
Hello,

I recently purchased a 24' X 20' post and beam house that has gone through
a number of disasterous renovations (Arts & Crafts style dormer added to a
rear, 2nd story bedroom; vinyl siding & small slider windows), and an almost
total gutting of the interior in the 1980's).

The only thing that wasn't removed is a disasterously steep (9" rise & 6"
tread) staircase that runs parrallel to the front facade (24') of the house.

I want to relocate the staircase, sacrificing the tiny back bedroom with the
A&C dormer), which will provide a much more workable 2nd story.

With post & beam construction, should I have the ceiling taken down in the
room on the main leval where I want to locate the new staircase,  before I
start interviewing contractors about rebuilding the staircase?

Do I need the services of a restoration architect to design the stairs, or can I
use an architectural draftsman to create the working drawings?

Do you know of any web resources for period staircase design (a picture
being worth a thousand words)?

This was always a small, simple house and while I don't want to create an ugly
or inappropriate staircse, I do want it to be walkable.

The house is located in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Appreciate your considering my query.

All the best,
Thea

PS: If you are wondering why I became involved with the little house...glorious
land, 2 blocks from the downtown core and superb light & cross ventilation
from the original 6 over 6 windows that remain on East,north & west facades.
Stupidly the tiny slider windows are located on the south facade at the rear.
However dreams of passive solar gain  from the required new windows for
that facade are being included in my renovation plans.  

Answer
Thea - thanks for your question!

I'm so glad to hear that you're taking care of this home - sounds like it was badly scarred in the past, but you're trying to return it to it's former glory - good for you!

I think I have an easy answer for you that will address all your questions; but first let me comment that a tiny 1840's post and beam home probably wouldn't be considered "period" style; it's more properly categorized as folk architecture.  Which means you don't need to research the design of the staircase; anything well-designed and compatible with the look you have now will be be appropriate.  I'd match the look of the existing stair, just build it to code.

Here's what I'd do in your situation - contact one of the many timber-frame builders in your area for advice, design, and construction.  I Googled "post and beam Nova Scotia" and came up with quite a few with NS addresses.  Most will have designers on staff and generally are very sensitive to the character of old homes.  I'd contact a few and ask them in...don't bother with removing the ceiling until you have someone look at the house (they probably won't need the ceiling down anyway).

Let me know how things work out - hope this helps!

Richard Taylor, AIA
www.rtastudio.com
www.rtaplans.com