What is the simplest stairway type with no intermediate landing?

• A. Straight Stairway
• B. Flat Curve
• C. Short Radius Spiral
• D. Large Spiral Stairway

Answer: (A)

In stair design, the simplest approach is a straight run that goes directly from bottom to top without any change in direction. A straight stairway has no intermediate landing or turning point, so it’s just a sequence of equal treads supported by straight stringers and a single, continuous handrail path. This simplicity makes it the easiest to design, fabricate, and install, with fewer components and less complex geometry to manage. Curved or spiral options, while functional, introduce direction changes and require additional structural elements, curved railings, and sometimes a central core or newel arrangement, which adds complexity and cost. So for a design with no intermediate landing, the straight stairway is the most straightforward choice.