LIFTS, STAIRS & BALUSTRADES
SCULPTING SPACE: BISCA’ S 30-YEAR JOURNEY IN ARCHITECTURAL ARTISTRY
Why Architects and Developers Are Turning to Bespoke Specialists for the Ultimate Statement Staircase.
As Bisca marks its 30th anniversary, the Yorkshirebased staircase specialist stands not just as a manufacturer, but as a creative force that has redefined the role of staircases in architectural design. Founded in 1995 by designer and blacksmith Richard McLane, Bisca has become a name synonymous with precision engineering, artisanal craftsmanship, and design excellence.
A major turning point came with commissions from notable figures such as British developer Spink, and Robin Hutson of Hotel du Vin, catapulting the brand into a niche space few others occupied.
NO TEMPLATES, NO BOUNDARIES
For architects and property developers seeking a centrepiece that is both structurally ambitious and visually arresting, Bisca offers an unrivalled proposition: fully bespoke staircases, designed, crafted, and installed by one specialist team. Over three decades, the company has created over 950 one-of-a-kind staircases, for properties ranging from listed barn conversions and coastal retreats to Manhattan penthouses and billionaire ski residences.
Every Bisca staircase is an architectural statement, tailored entirely to the property; its owners; its layout, and its features. There are no catalogues, no standard components- just creative vision, precision engineering and expert craftmanship.
“ We’ re not here to replicate. Every staircase is a work of art that reflects the space and the person commissioning it,” explains McLane.
FROM SKETCHBOOK TO GLOBAL BRAND
McLane’ s journey began in Glasgow in 1995, where he worked from an old shipyard and landed his first commission for the Theatre Royal Café. A move to his native Yorkshire followed soon after, where Bisca ' s headquarters were established in Helmsley.
The company’ s growth was organic but rapid. Within a decade, workshop space had quadrupled, and the team expanded with expert designers, engineers, and craftspeople. With a strong design ethos established by Richard which was grounded in both form and function, Bisca began attracting a global clientele.
This philosophy has made Bisca the first choice for architects and developers working on high-end residential new builds, heritage restorations, or bold contemporary conversions. Recent projects include everything from a reclaimed helical
88