A new staircase has been introduced to enhance the relationship between the Ambassador’s Residence and its garden, providing a refined architectural intervention that strengthens the building’s ceremonial and everyday use while remaining sensitive to its distinguished Belgravia setting.
Sector
Heritage
Location
Belgarvia, London
Date
2010-11
Client
Federal Republic of Germany
Area
15 m2
Status
Completed
Design drawing showing the new staircase in longitudinal and cross section
Historic Context
The Residence of the German Ambassador in London occupies a distinguished position on Belgrave Square within the Grosvenor Estate. Designed in the 1820s by George Basevi, it combines three original terraced houses with a later twentieth century extension. Its Grade I listing reflects both the architectural quality of the ensemble and the high level of protection given to its historic fabric. The refined urban setting forms one of London’s principal diplomatic districts.
The commission for the German Embassy Garden Staircase required a new external link between the raised ground floor terrace and the private garden five metres below. The aim was to improve movement during formal and informal events while ensuring the intervention remained respectful of the historic context. The staircase needed to be elegant, compact and durable, and capable of being introduced with minimal impact to the Grade I listed building.
Contemporary Interpretation
The design draws upon the tradition of garden staircases found in London’s classical terraces yet interprets this precedent in a contemporary manner. The staircase has a notably slender profile with refined junctions and a balance of painted and exposed stainless steel. This combination creates a subtle visual presence that complements the architectural character of the residence.
Two inset stainless steel stringers manufactured in Germany form the structural spine of the staircase, spanning approximately seven and a half metres with notable lightness. The black finished stainless steel treads and risers were fabricated in London, allowing precise assembly and a consistent material expression. The sectional construction enabled full accuracy during off site fabrication and straightforward installation on site.
Garden staircase in its historic context
The stairs link the residence's terrace with its garden five metre below
Construction and Implementation
The staircase was developed for off-site manufacture to minimise disruption to the fully occupied residence. Prefabricated components were installed within a short period, with connection details designed to limit intervention to the existing fabric. This approach supported both the heritage requirements and the security constraints of the embassy.
The completed German Embassy Garden Staircase provides a clear and graceful connection between terrace and garden, enhancing the use of the external spaces while preserving the integrity of the Grade I listed residence. Its design is the outcome of close collaboration between architect Christian Junge, Structural Engineers StructureMode, and Patalab Architects
The inset stainless steel stringers emphasise the slenderness of the treads and risers
