Cantilevered Birch Ply Stairs

We created a bespoke, hand-crafted floating staircase using birch plywood, designed with a cantilevered build so that the treads appear to hover — giving the impression of a light, sculptural form rather than a traditional bulky staircase. As with all of our carpentry work, this project blends utility with artistry, transforming the staircase into a refined architectural feature.

Materials & Construction

1. Main material: Birch plywood — selected for its natural warmth, subtle grain, and structural potential when engineered properly.
2. Structure: The treads are cantilevered from a concealed support structure behind the wall, allowing them to project into the space without visible supports. This hidden method is key to achieving the “floating” effect.
3. Craftsmanship: Each tread is carefully shaped and installed to ensure alignment, strength, and clean lines — a hallmark of the bespoke work delivered by our team.

Design Highlights

• Floating / Cantilevered effect — the lack of visible supports makes the treads look as though they’re suspended in mid-air, giving a sense of lightness, openness, and modern elegance. This design enhances natural light flow and creates a striking optical effect that redefines stair geometry.
• Minimalist aesthetic — with clean lines, pared-back material palette and absence of bulky structure, the staircase complements contemporary, open-plan interiors beautifully.
• Natural material warmth — birch plywood brings a soft, warm texture to the space; the subtle grain and tone of birch make the staircase inviting yet understated.

Why Cantilevered Birch Ply?

Choosing birch plywood for a cantilevered staircase combines several advantages:

Visual lightness — because the support structure is hidden, the staircase reads as delicate and airy, avoiding the heaviness often associated with solid timber stairs.

Space-enhancing — the open profile and floating treads allow light to pass under and around the stairs, making them especially suitable for smaller or narrow spaces, or for interiors where maintaining openness is a priority. This openness is one of the main appeals of cantilever designs.

Craftsmanship and bespoke detail — birch ply enables precise joinery and clean edges, allowing for custom shaping and detailing that suit the client’s space and aesthetic vision.

The Result: Staircase as a Piece of Sculpture

This cantilevered birch ply staircase doesn’t merely serve as a means of vertical circulation. Through carefully engineered structure, expert craftsmanship and thoughtful material choice, it becomes a sculptural, architectural element that defines the interior space. Light, refined and modern — yet warm and tactile — it’s a staircase designed to be experienced as part of the home’s architectural identity.