The Shape of a Dream
A few days ago, we received news that left us both proud and humbled: the central custom staircase we created in collaboration with Fuqua Architects for a private state in Texas has been recognized with the Palladio Award for Craftsmanship Excellence.
It is a distinction I do not take lightly. For those of us who dedicate our lives to the art of architectural metalwork, this award feels like a moment of pause—a breath before we continue forging ahead.
This project was one of the most complex undertakings in my four decades at BELT. The wrought iron staircase rises through four levels of the home, from the basement to an observation deck on the roof, wrapping around what will soon be a cylindrical glass elevator. It was inspired by the spiraling ascent of lighthouses—a form that is both poetic and unforgiving. There is no room for error in a spiral.
Every tread had to be engineered with surgical precision. Every connection—some visible, many hidden—had to blend seamlessly into the whole. We worked on it for nearly eight months in our workshop in Colombia, piece by piece. Then we disassembled it, shipped it across borders and deserts, and reassembled it once more, deep in the Texas countryside.
At the center of this staircase is a story—one rooted in the client’s deep connection with his horses. Inspired by the Kentucky Derby Trophy, we created a custom sculptural finial: a horse cast using the lost wax technique, traditionally reserved for fine bronze and jewelry. Every muscle and gesture was meticulously studied and redrawn until it matched his vision.
Designing this piece alone took over 700 hours—not counting the conversations, the revisions, and the sketches we threw away because they weren’t good enough. It had to be right. Not just for him, but for the story we were telling.
What I cherish the most about this luxury staircase project is the moment that came after it was finished. I walked in with the owner, step by step, until we reached the top. From there, you can see the horses grazing across the property. He was quiet. I was quiet too, but it was deeply emotional. We made a dream come true.
That’s a reward I cherish as much as the award.
