Retail · Staircases

Louis Vuitton Steel & Glass Stair

About this project

AVILAStudio was approached by stair and glass manufacturers JT Glass to perform a detailed vibration analysis of a steel and glass stair. The project features an offset-helicoidal steel stair with tempered glass parapets, spanning between two existing floor levels.

Pre-existing conditions limited overall structural weight and imposed a tight programme for approval and installation before the planned shop opening in late October.

Vibration analysis

Due to the light weight of the structure, a vibration analysis was required to prove comfort criteria. Analysis used detailed time-history of ascending and descending walk-by pedestrian loads across a wide range of excitation frequencies. Recorded accelerations were examined against comfort criteria agreed with the client and lead engineers on the overall refurbishment.

Stair performance was verified with only minor tweaks to plate thicknesses of the original layout. The stair was erected and completed within budget and programme.