30 Dramatic Staircases Elevate Their Surroundings

Near the entry of Zentis Osaka, a sculptural staircase made from blue limestone and featuring cantilevered elements—including a bench seat on one side and shelves on the other—leads to the restaurant and bar. “As it winds its way upstairs, its open treads vanish into the beams of the ceiling with the handrails themselves reaching back down underneath the tread,” says London-based Tara Bernerd, who designed the interiors of the Japan property.