Significant advances made in glass and steel technologies increasingly afford the today’s corporate clients the opportunity to commission iconic buildings. Apple’s strategic Flagship Stores (developed and constructed between 2002 and 2004) are the definitive example of this.  

Apple products are globally recognised for their technical and aesthetic qualities, with Apple; in conjunction with their appointed Architect Bohlin,Cywinsky Jackson; seeking a construction product with the same characteristics. The potential of structurally glazed building elements was explored with the concept of fully glazed stairways, bridges and ceilings emerging.

Seele transformed this concept into reality, becoming pioneers in these particular aspects of fully glazed structures - with extensive system engineering and testing conducted successfully at our Research & Development Facility in Gersthofen.

The focal-point of all new Apple Flagship Stores is the free-standing glass staircase which appears to flow between floors. Unique construction features of the stairs include glass sides (consisting of triple VSG panes and reinforced with a glass centre fin and a stainless steel handrail) and glass steps that are connected to the glass sides by 4 titanium inlays per step.

Architect: Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, Berkerley