Standing The Test of Time: Where Timeless Design Begins
25 years later, time has been the greatest judge of Bisca’s landmark staircase at Hotel du Vin, Bristol.
Twenty-five years after designing one of Bisca’s earliest landmark staircases, founder Richard McLane recently returned to Hotel du Vin Bristol.
Like many visitors, his eyes were drawn immediately to the staircase. Thousands of guests have walked it. Countless first impressions have been made beneath it. Yet it remains exactly as it was intended – quietly commanding the space, complementing the architecture and creating the sense of atmosphere that first inspired its design. For anyone planning a high-quality home, renovation or interior design project, it raises an important question: What is the true value of a staircase?
Time Tells the Story
In 1998, when Robin Hutson and his team began transforming Bristol’s former sugar refinery into one of the UK’s first Hotel du Vin destinations, they wanted more than a bespoke staircase. They wanted a feature worthy of the building itself. Richard recalls:
“They were incredibly thorough. Possibly the first client to really challenge us to think beyond conventional drawings and really understand the building. They placed enormous trust in us, and that belief became one of the foundation stones of Bisca.”
That first commission marked the beginning of an enduring relationship, with Robin Hutson going on to commission Bisca on a number of further Hotel du Vin projects as the boutique brand expanded across the UK. It was a partnership built on shared values and a belief in original design.
Rather than simply connecting floors, each bespoke design became a defining architectural feature – bringing proportion, character and permanence to the heart of their hotel. Today in Bristol, that original staircase design still feels completely at home within the building. Richard reflects:
“Great design withstands the test of time. It values the building and the client by being true to its architecture rather than following a fashion.”
Quality Reveals Itself
Looking closely, very little has changed. The English oak treads have aged beautifully and been lovingly refinished over the years; the hand forged steelwork, detailing and carefully considered proportions remain exactly as they were first crafted. Created alongside master blacksmith Richard Lewis using equipment rarely seen today, the forged newel posts bring back memories of a defining chapter in Bisca’s history. Every detail reflected a shared determination to create something extraordinary rather than simply meet a specification.
“I remember the enormous amount of grinding and polishing. Looking back, we probably underestimated just what it would take because we were breaking new ground. But creating something exceptional is what mattered most.”
That commitment to craftsmanship remains central to every bespoke staircase Bisca creates today.
Why A Bespoke Staircase Is Worth the Investment
One of the greatest compliments any bespoke staircase can receive is that it simply belongs. Not because it disappears, but because it feels inseparable from the architecture around it. Unlike many staircases that simply occupy a building, this one became part of its identity – helping define the atmosphere and experience of the hotel itself.
That is why Bisca encourages homeowners, architects and interior designers to begin thinking about the staircase as early as possible. When considered from the outset, it has the power to influence layouts, sightlines, natural light and the experience of moving through a home – not simply occupy the space left behind. Richard remarks:
“A staircase should never be designed around what’s left. It should help shape the space itself.”
An Investment Measured by Decades
There will always be less expensive ways to build a staircase. The real question is whether it will still feel right in twenty-five years’ time. The Hotel du Vin staircase stands today as it did when it was first installed – not because it followed a trend, but because it was designed with care, crafted without compromise and built to last.
If you are planning a new build, renovation or major refurbishment, the key is to involve your staircase specialist as early as possible. With demand for bespoke staircases continuing to grow, early collaboration not only creates better architecture, it also ensures your project can be planned and designed around Bisca’s production schedule.
