Our Favourites: Three sculptural stairway structures

With their striking appearance they attract everyone’s attention: the stair sculpture “Vessel” in Manhattan, the dynamic staircase of the Maike Centre Flagshipstore in Xian, China and finally the shiny metallic spiral staircase of the Apple Store in Ney York.

Stepwell and maze-like stairways in Manhattan: »Vessel« by Heatherwick Studio

Like a meeting of the Spanish Steps with Indian stepwells in amphitheatre form, »Vessel« by Heatherwick Studio seeks to bring people together in its bridge-like maze of stairways.

Client: Related, Oxford Properties Group
Architects: Heatherwick Studio
Location: Hudson Yards, New York (US)

Leaflets in Xi'an: YJY Maike Centre Flagship Store by Tomoko Ikegai

A light installation of flying papersheets by Studio Ikegai illuminates the story of Xi’an in the XJY Maike Centre Flagship Store.

Client: Maike Group
Architects: Tomoko Ikegai / ikg inc.
Location: No. 12, Jinye Road, High Tech Zone, Xian (CN)

Tech landmark: Apple Store Fifth Avenue by Foster + Partners

Foster + Partners have lent new lustre to Apple's flagship store on Fifth Avenue, Manhattan while also embedding it in an urban plaza. At ground level the iconic glass cube with the striking logo still attracts all glances, but down in the depths the architects have doubled the size of the store to over 7,000 square metres, creating plenty of display and sales space in the process.

Client: Apple
Architect: Foster + Partners
Location: 767 5th Ave, New York, NY 10153 (US)