This smoothly curved staircase is a freestanding closed structure, leading to the straight walls on either side.  This curve causes the staircase to face the front entry.       The homeowner wanted a curved, freestanding closed staircase, but also wanted to keep the feeling of openness which was prevalent in the lower level, so the balustrade is fashioned of curved shatterproof glass with wooden handrail fitted to the top edge of the glass.