Whether sleek and transparent, whether built on a small or large scale, for interior or exterior use, brash or self-effacing, or of whatever material, as an element of building design stairs are susceptible to a multitude of typological interpretations, and often become a qualifying feature of the host architecture. Stairways in all their forms are the subject of this invaluable manual of style for professionals in the field of architecture and interiors. The illustrations are accompanied by a breakdown of each design's characteristics and an analysis of the formal and linguistic features, with construction details to enable a full technical assessment.