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

      22 Archival description results for Solar Stair

      22 results directly related Exclude narrower terms
      Stairs + Moon
      -CJA-TCH-b-21 · File · 1984
      Part of Charles Jencks Archive

      Contents of a box labelled 'Stairs + Moon'.

      Comprises colour slides showing the Solar Stair, the Moonwell, the Black Hole and 'Joseph with Jacob in Egypt' by Pontormo.
      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.
      Plans - Designs - Sketches: Lily's Room - Lilies; Bathroom; Floor plans
      -CJA-TCH-a-43 · File · nd
      Part of Charles Jencks Archive

      Contents of a folder labelled 'Plans - Designs - Sketches: Lily's Room - Lilies; Bathroom; Floor plans'.

      Includes:
      -whiteprint plan of Lily's Room, coloured in with coloured pencil (folded)
      -whiteprint plan of Nan's Room, coloured in with coloured pencil (folded)
      -photocopy design for the Room of Doubles with pen annotations
      -whiteprint plan of the kitchen with appliances indicated (folded)
      -photocopies plan of Nan's bathroom with pencil annotations
      -pencil perspective sketch of the Bathpool
      -photocopy sketch of decorative elements of Indian Summer
      -photocopy perspective sketch of Winter and Spring
      -photocopy sketch designs for furniture in the Architectural Library
      -photocopy sketch of designs for the Moonwell
      -photocopy sketch of designs for Jacob's Ladder labelled 'CJ Dressing Room'
      -pencil and coloured pencil sketch with measurements of the Sundial Arcade
      -photocopy plan by Terry Farrell Partnership titled 'Main Bedroom Plan' dated 20 Apr 1982 with detailed list of work to be done across the house handwritten in pencil on reverse and titled 'Punch List'.
      -photocopied designs for Lilies by various artists from an unidentified publication
      -pencil sketches of lilies
      -pencil perspective sketch of the Bathpool with design for bathroom cabinet
      -pencil design for a mirror and sink titled 'Shower bathroom'
      -pencil plan titled 'MK's Study'
      -pencil design with measurements for a bookcase
      -bundle of papers with a sheet labelled '2 Themes and an Allegory: The Thematic House'. Includes photocopy typescript document titled 'The Thematic House - The Matic How See' regarding the passage of time and listing 15 themes in the house; pencil manuscript notes titled 'Foursquare Room'; typescript notes on Los Angeles; School of Architecture and Urban Planning notepaper titled 'Allegory: MK. Architecture Defeated/Architecture Triumphant'.
      -pencil drawings of birds and flowers
      -pencil plan of the Bathpool titled 'Main Bedroom Bathroom'
      -pencil design for the bed and desk in Lily's Room
      -whiteprint by Terry Farrell Partnership titled 'Cabinets & Kitchen' Aug 1981 (folded)
      -whiteprint by Terry Farrell Partnership titled 'Final Design Drawing First Floor Plan' Oct 1980 (folded)
      -whiteprint by Terry Farrell Partnership titled 'Final Design Drawing Second Floor Plan' Oct 1980 (folded)
      -whiteprint by Terry Farrell Partnership titled 'Final Design Drawing Lower Ground Floor Plan' Oct 1980 (folded)
      -pencil and coloured pencil sketches of the Sundial Arcade with notes; one page is on the reverse of a draft submission to the International Design Yearbook [submission date 1 Dec 1984]
      -pen sketches of Egyptian wall paintings titled 'Sun well'
      -pen sketch plan on tracing paper showing the ground floor
      -photocopied final drawing for Lily's Room, Spoonglyphs, Architectural Library and Bookhouses
      -biro drawing
      -pencil notes and sketch titled 'Lily's Room' with names of lilies
      -pen and pencil plans and sketches for Lily's Room, including measured plan dated 31 July 1982 and initialled 'M'
      -biro sketches for intertwining C/J/M/L initials
      -photocopied lily designs from unknown publications
      -pencil sketch on tracing paper labelled 'Lily's Room'
      -sketches for lilies [ON LOAN]