Eleven Eastern
Iconic Curved Glass Staircase Energizes Workspace
Situated at a prominent crossroads in South Melbourne, Eleven Eastern is a dynamic 14-storey commercial building celebrated for its innovative design. Designed by Rothelowman Architects, the building’s striking free-form architecture embraces movement and light. Nowhere is this more evident than in the double-height lobby, where a sweeping curved glass staircase serves as both a functional link and a sculptural centerpiece. The staircase itself embodies a sense of kinetic energy, drawing the eye upward and enlivening the space.
From the outset, the vision for Eleven Eastern’s lobby was an open, contemporary space defined by clean lines and transparency. A curved glass balustrade wrapping the spiral staircase was essential to achieve this goal, providing safety without sacrificing light or visual connectivity. The challenge lay in realizing a bent glass staircase that perfectly matched the complex curvature of the built structure, with no gaps or misalignments. Every glass panel on the balustrade needed to contour seamlessly along the twisting stair, maintaining crystal clarity and structural integrity throughout the ascent.
Glasshape was engaged to turn this ambitious design into reality through precise engineering and fabrication. The process began with an expert site measurement of the staircase during construction. Using advanced digital field measuring (3D laser scanning), Glasshape captured the exact geometry of the spiral in its as-built state. This accurate 3D model became the template for fabrication, ensuring each panel would be a perfect fit.
Glasshape then custom-manufactured 24 individual pieces of its TemperShield safety glass – a combination of curved and flat panels – tailored to the staircase’s form. TemperShield is Glasshape’s signature toughened and laminated glass product, known for its exceptional strength and clarity. Each curved panel was bent to precisely match its required radius, while flat panels were used where the design straightened out (such as at landings or transitions). All pieces were fabricated to tight tolerances based on the digital measurements and templates, resulting in a balustrade where every piece aligns flawlessly upon installation.
Glasshape was engaged to turn this ambitious design into reality through precise engineering and fabrication. The process began with an expert site measurement of the staircase during construction. Using advanced digital field measuring (3D laser scanning), Glasshape captured the exact geometry of the spiral in its as-built state. This accurate 3D model became the template for fabrication, ensuring each panel would be a perfect fit.
Glasshape then custom-manufactured 24 individual pieces of its TemperShield safety glass – a combination of curved and flat panels – tailored to the staircase’s form. TemperShield is Glasshape’s signature toughened and laminated glass product, known for its exceptional strength and clarity. Each curved panel was bent to precisely match its required radius, while flat panels were used where the design straightened out (such as at landings or transitions). All pieces were fabricated to tight tolerances based on the digital measurements and templates, resulting in a balustrade where every piece aligns flawlessly upon installation.
“Having partnered with Glasshape on previous projects, we had full confidence in their ability to deliver on the Eleven Eastern project, and they did not disappoint. The complexity of the curved glass design demanded a high level of precision, and their team executed seamlessly across every stage. Their commitment to quality, coupled with clear and consistent communication, ensured a streamlined installation process. The finished result speaks for itself and reflects a shared commitment to excellence.”
Matt Jackson | Operations Manager | ARC Metal Group