Novotel, Canary Wharf

Bespoke Staircase Design for Canary Wharf Novotel
A complex staircase project with very little room for compromise

When M-Tech Engineering was appointed to deliver bespoke staircases for the Canary Wharf Novotel, the project presented some particularly demanding design, engineering and installation challenges.

The building had been designed around very tight tolerances, leaving little room for adjustment once the staircase installation began. The staircases also needed to be carefully supported within the existing structure without imposing unnecessarily on a live building.

Added to that was the location. One of the staircases was being installed on the 38th floor, bringing another layer of logistical and practical challenges to an already complex project.

The result required much more than simply manufacturing a staircase to a set of drawings. It called for careful coordination, precise engineering and a practical approach to installation.

The challenge

The project involved two very different staircases, each requiring its own approach to design, engineering and installation.

The main challenges included:

Very tight tolerances

The building had been designed to particularly fine margins, meaning the staircases needed to be manufactured with a high degree of accuracy. There was little scope for discrepancies between the design, manufacture and finished building.

Supporting the staircase within a live building

The staircases needed to be supported in a way that worked with the existing building rather than creating unnecessary interference with the surrounding structure and ongoing activity within the hotel.

Installation at height

Working on the 38th floor introduced additional considerations around transporting components, coordinating access and planning the installation efficiently.

Different design requirements

The two staircases were very different in both their design and complexity, requiring M-Tech to develop solutions specific to each location rather than taking a standardised approach.

The solution

M-Tech worked through the technical and practical constraints to develop bespoke staircase solutions that could be manufactured accurately and installed within the limitations of the building.

The tight tolerances meant that precision was particularly important throughout the process. The design and manufacturing stages had to take account of the available space, structural support requirements and the realities of getting the finished staircase into position.

Rather than allowing the staircase to dictate the surrounding space, the support solution was developed to work sympathetically with the existing building.

This was particularly important within a live hotel environment, where installation needed to be carefully managed and disruption kept to a minimum.

A feature staircase for the main reception

The main reception staircase was designed to be more than a functional route through the space. It became a strong architectural feature within the hotel.

A key element of the design was the feature timber boxes running the full height of the space, creating a distinctive visual element around the staircase and giving the reception area a strong sense of scale.

The staircase had to combine this visual impact with the practical requirements of the building, demonstrating how bespoke engineering can sit comfortably alongside architectural and interior design ambitions.

Overcoming the 38th-floor challenge

Manufacturing a bespoke staircase is one challenge. Getting it into position on the 38th floor of a live building is another.

The installation required careful planning from the outset. The size and complexity of the components had to be considered alongside the access and logistical constraints of working at height.

By considering installation as part of the design and manufacturing process, M-Tech could develop a solution that was not only technically achievable but practical to deliver on site.

This is often where bespoke staircase projects are won or lost. A design may look straightforward on paper, but the realities of getting it into an existing building can be very different.

Precision, planning and practical engineering

The Canary Wharf Novotel project demonstrates the value of having the design, engineering and manufacturing expertise working together from the beginning.

With tight margins, unusual structural requirements and a challenging installation location, there was very little room for error.

The finished staircases brought together the architectural requirements of the hotel with the precision and practical engineering needed to make the designs work within the building.

For M-Tech, the focus was not simply on producing a staircase. It was on finding a solution that worked for the building, the design and the realities of installation.

Looking for a bespoke staircase solution?

Every building comes with its own set of challenges. Restricted space, unusual structural requirements, demanding finishes or difficult installation conditions can all require a different approach.

M-Tech Engineering works with commercial and residential clients to design, manufacture and install bespoke staircases tailored to the requirements of each project.

If you have an upcoming project that requires a bespoke staircase, talk to our team about your requirements.

Call 0115 979 4448 or use our online enquiry form to discuss your project.