Solar Stair

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Scope note(s)

  • The Solar Stair is exemplary of the multi-layered and complex symbolism present throughout the house, combining cultural and scientific references. This spiral staircase, at the physical and conceptual centre of the house, is at once a reference to the double helix of the DNA, the spiral movement of galaxies and of time, as well as to the Sun and solar system.As with the Cosmic Oval, Jencks consulted scientists and astronomers on the specifics of its design. The reference to solar energy was not merely symbolic. In the initial designs for the house the Jenckses hoped to incorporate a wall of solar batteries on the south-facing façade. On consultation with architect Terry Farrell, the plan changed and the façade features large conservatory windows, which allow for the light and heat of the sun to be absorbed through this south-facing wall. It was imagined that heat from the sun would accumulate at the reinforced base of the Solar Stair, then travel up the vertical shaft heating the entire house. While this hasn’t worked in practice, these ideas reveal an interest in environmental and ecological concerns, further developed in Charles Jencks’ later artwork and landscape work.

Source note(s)

  • https://www.jencksfoundation.org/explore/image/solar-stair
  • *A New Description of The Cosmic House* by Edwin Heathcote, The Keeper of Meaning, with Charles Jencks, The Critic, and Charles Jencks, The Architect, First Edition, 2021, pp.13-14

Display note(s)

    Hierarchical terms

    Solar Stair

    Solar Stair

    Equivalent terms

    Solar Stair

    • UF Solar Staircase
    • UF Sunwell

    Associated terms

    Solar Stair

      1 Archival description results for Solar Stair

      1 results directly related Exclude narrower terms
      1 Thematic 1979-81
      CJA-TCH-b-2 · File · [1979-1983]
      Part of Charles Jencks Archive

      Contents of a box labelled '1 Thematic 1979-81 '.

      Includes colour slides of Nan's Rom, the Architectural Library, Indian Summer, the Solar Stair and the Winter fireplace during construction, as well as photographs of people on the roof of the Architectural Library, one of which is labelled 'Marcia'. Many of the slides are annotated 'Terrace Hse' with one labelled 'Jencks elev.'. There is also a slide of Ulysse Pagliazizi 'Before The Fall' 1983.