BEACH STAIR
BENTON CHARTER TOWNSHIP, MICHIGAN 2004

On a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan, the architect’s and contractor’s charge was to design and construct passage between a new residence and Lake Michigan.  A “stair” or path consisting of 100 3’ x 8’ pallets was conceived to traverse the 100’ vertical by 100’ horizontal distance between the top of the bluff and an existing seawall.  The intent is that in undulating with the topography the path becomes part of the landscape.  Each pallet, assembled off site with pressure treated southern yellow pine and cumaru is supported by a 3” diameter galvanized fence post and modified clamp.  With minimal imposition on the landscape, the path thus anticipates and allows the bluff to “move” over time without catastrophic damage to the path.  The relatively lightweight wood assembly provided flexibility in the field for the contractor to adjust to specific site conditions which could not have been completely anticipated by the architect given the abbreviated schedule.  The project was commissioned in mid April.  Construction began early June and was required to be substantially complete for a scheduled event in late August. The cumaru will remain unfinished to minimize maintenance and allow the path to become less conspicuous and continue to recede into the landscape as it weathers.

Photos by Steve Hall, Hedrich Blessing. General Contractor was Lakeshore Enterprises.