Credit Lyonnais
New York, New York
Louis the XIV Metal Staircase & Railing in Bronze, Steel & Gold
Design/Engineer, Fabrication, Installation
Intricately detailed and carefully researched, this staircase and railing for Credit Lyonnais bank helped bring the cultural richness of France to New York City for their US headquarters. Taking SOM’s general concept of recreating a little piece of Versailles for this central feature, we investigated historical models, metalworking techniques and styles from that era so we could replicate this classic ornamental metal fabrication using modern methods. The production of the metal stairs and railings involved developing a traditional “French gold” material that would glisten and contrast with the dark coloring of the blackened steel and natural bronze.
