This month’s featured project from our 2025 Horner Wall Calendar is a modern staircase crafted and installed by our Cooper Stairworks team. It combines precision engineering and custom artistry in a design that feels both effortless and bold. Some projects challenge the limits of design, and this staircase is a perfect example. Built in our woodworking shop in Somerset, MA, it is the centerpiece of an extraordinary home designed by architect Lucas Velle of Outside-In-By-Design. Builder MBuilt and the Cooper Stairworks team worked closely together to ensure every detail aligned with the architect’s vision.

A Modern Preassembled Staircase // This stair system highlights many of our custom capabilities, including a steel monostringer by Prestige Metal, thick white oak treads, and a sleek glass balustrade. The result is a floating staircase that appears effortlessly simple yet required extraordinary precision, experience, and commitment to quality, blending art, architecture, and expert craftsmanship into one seamless design.

Thank You // A special thank you to Lucas Velle of Outside-In-By-Design and MBuilt for trusting Cooper Stairworks with this extraordinary project. We would also like to thank the homeowners for graciously allowing us to photograph this extraordinary staircase.

Explore This Project
This project is a true work of art, a perfect example of how vision, collaboration, and craftsmanship come together to create something unforgettable.

Steel Monostringers // At the heart of the staircase is a custom black powder-coated steel monostringer fabricated by Prestige Metal. Its streamlined design provides critical structural support while remaining visually understated, allowing the floating wood treads to take center stage.

Thick White Oak Treads with Open Risers // Each tread is crafted from premium white oak, precision-built for strength and beauty in our Somerset, MA woodworking shop. The open riser design enhances the staircase’s weightless appearance and allows natural light to flow freely throughout the stairwell.

Modern Square Handrail // A square profile white oak handrail adds modern styling while still meeting graspability code requirements.

Glass Balustrade with Integrated Treads // One unique feature of this project is the glass balustrade, through which the wood treads magically intersect. This interesting detail required meticulous planning to ensure structural integrity while preserving the clean aesthetic envisioned by the architect. The transparency of the glass allows the entire staircase to be admired from every angle without visual interruption.

A True Floating Effect // Every element, from the monostringer to the transparent glass to the open risers, contributes to the feeling that the staircase is floating midair. It’s a testament to the skill, creativity, and precision of the Cooper Stairworks team.