The new entrance stairs for a large housing block in the city centre of Rotterdam connects the public domain to an elevated semi private domain. We designed the new entrance with the idea of finding a balance between invitation and separation.

The stairs needs to be attractive, but keep unwanted visitors out of the semi private domain. The general idea behind the concept is that visitors are gradually guided up to the semi private domain by the use of 3 platforms.

These so called 'stepping stones' slowly move the staircase out of the public space and into the semi public domain and vice versa. When using the new stairs several open views of the nearby harbor are shown.

The hand rail that runs along the stairs and the upper deck is integrated into a solid white aluminum fence. The fence is randomly perforated, creating a subtitle transparency. At night the fence illuminates and becomes a beacon of light in its context.