From Forge to Fame – The Birth of a Specialist Staircase Visionary
Today recognised globally as leaders in the art and science of staircase design, Bisca’s journey began – not with prestige or scale – but with passion, precision, and a relentless drive to push boundaries.
As we celebrate 30 years of innovation, we share the story of how our brand became a renowned name in the world of bespoke staircase design.
Like every great design – Bisca started with a powerful concept. Our intention being to challenge expectations and redefine the staircase to be more than simply a functional structure. For those looking for a centrepiece to transform their property’s interior – Bisca has perfected this specialist process over three decades and developed an unrivalled proposition, managed entirely in-house, by a highly skilled team of experts.
Where Our Staircase Journey Began…
The Bisca story begins with curiosity and experimentation. At just 19 years old, founder Richard McLane handcrafted his first staircase balustrade – designed to resemble sheaves of wheat from his family farm – while studying 3D Crafts and Product Design at college. It was a formative experience – one that sparked a fascination with movement, form, and materials – and which would shape the trajectory of his staircase empire. Richard recalls;
“It became clear to me in the early days, that the staircase had the potential to be so much more special. More than a way of connecting just floors – a beautiful staircase has the capacity to connect people, tell stories and enhance the very flow of a property’s interior.”
The Staircase That Paved Our Destiny
As Richard established his place in the market, a chance encounter at a design exhibition would define the first chapter of Bisca’s evolution. Among the interest Bisca received, was architect and developer Spink – well known for redefining London’s luxury property market. Captivated by a hand-forged balustrade Richard had on display, Spink made his first commission to Bisca for a bespoke spiral staircase destined for a grand conversion project in Knightsbridge. He wanted a bold, sculptural form inspired by Gaudí’s iconic works in Barcelona.
Richard was in his element. So much so, over the following three years, Spink commissioned more than twenty unique staircase designs to Richard – a partnership that didn’t just elevate Bisca’s profile, but set us firmly apart from anything else being created in our industry.
“That first spiral staircase taught me that there existed a certain type of client in search of something unique – and they needed someone to lead the way,” Richard reflects. “Working with Spink taught me that if we stayed true to our vision, the right people would find us.”
Building The Foundations
What began as one-man and a sketch book, has today grown into a global brand with a portfolio of around 950 staircases. Each commission designed and crafted bespoke for its owner and their property; these range from luxury penthouses and listed buildings, to private ski residences and architectural masterpieces located across the globe.
In its third year and with demand growing for Bisca’s specialist expertise; we were in need of space to expand. By 1998 Richard had brought the business back to his roots in North Yorkshire, located on a site which remains the present-day HQ. Since then, production capacity has doubled to 16,000 sq ft; while purpose-built offices have been developed to house a state-of-the-art design studio and operations team.
Innovation With Intent
Bisca’s name has long since been a common topic of intrigue; its meaning having evolved over the course of time with each letter chosen to represent the materials which had most influenced Richard’s early design career… Brass, Iron, Steel, Copper and Aluminium.
Ironically since then, Bisca’s focus has been to foster the skills and knowledge required to offer boundless potential, in terms of the products it uses and engineering constraints it applies. “Our experienced team of design engineers will survey each client’s property – exploring every detail and applying an intricate level of care to scope a project, without limitation.” Richard explains.
Back to the Future
Today’s definition of Bisca has therefore evolved greatly since its conception, becoming one that is now synonymous with its wide ranging portfolio of staircases, uniquely formed using materials from metals, stone and timber – to leather, glass and other specially sourced products.
Over recent years, rising demand and limited capacity has raised the exclusivity of Bisca’s offering, with a consistently healthy pipeline of inbound orders. Many clients are so keen to reserve their slot early, that the completion date for some projects stretches almost 24 months ahead.
Whether a staircase be destined for a castle, barn renovation, city mews or somewhere in between – what has become clear is that a Bisca staircase is not for everybody. Most sought after by those looking to invest in the creation of a genuine work of art, Bisca clients all seem to share one clear trait: they will accept nothing less than perfection.
If you have a specialist staircase project you would like to discuss, please contact us on 01439 771702 | staircase@bisca.co.uk
