Stairs

A large cement fireplace can be used in the winter months, and it's surrounded by walls of windows and sliding doors that can be opened in the summer. "We adapted our work and finishes during construction according to the possibilities presented by local labor,

Architect Alexandre Blouin designed a rectangular staircase at the center of this house, positioning it beneath an operable skylight that draws in sunshine that otherwise would have struggled to penetrate the core of the building, which is 50 feet deep.

Two signature features of MB Architecture–designed prefabs are a double-height space and a wide staircase. “We love the wide staircase—it becomes a place to sit, and watch sunsets,” says Behrooz.

“We had the brainy idea to combine all of the crazy colors throughout the house into a color palette going during the stairs,” says Claudia. “So now, when you walk into the house, you are hit with a beautiful presentation on the staircase of all the colors you are going to see throughout the house.”

The honed marble countertop is a rich charcoal shade, with ultra-fine white veins. Simple black IKEA kitchen cabinets offer ample storage options for the tiny space.

The new stairway was given an enlarged window, while privacy is maintained with the help of a Japanese maple outside.

A disused chimney visible in the upstairs stairway was removed, freeing up space.

The wooden staircase is a nod to the original timber cabin.

The stairs are hidden behind a core wood block with a high gloss finish for a mirror-like reflection. Fortuitously, there is a window at the top of each run. "They're not perfectly aligned, but they bring light down at every level,

Blue Savoy marble from Coastal Tile lines the floor.