Flooring for Stairs: Designing for Safety, Inclusion and RIBA Compliance

RIBA guidance is clear on stairs — they must be inclusive and integral to the circulation design of a building whilst also be safely specified. The RIBA Plan of Work (2020) identifies vertical movement as a core design element to be resolved early (Stages 2–3), integrating accessibility, safety and aesthetic coherence within a single system. Many design teams tell us that Artigo Rubber flooring meets this guidance perfectly; combining durability, slip resistance, and seamless installation for overall design intent.

According to the RIBA Inclusive Design Overlay, all circulation routes — including stairs — should provide equitable, comfortable access for people of varying physical abilities and sensory needs. One of Artigo’s key advantages is its 1.9 m-wide roll format which allows designers to create continuous, joint-free stair and landing installations. These wider rubber flooring rolls improve overall visual clarity, eliminate trip points and support clean and clear transitions between treads, nosings, risers, and landings. The result is a stair surface that meets RIBA’s expectations for inclusive, coherent circulation design.

The RIBA Health and Safety Guide suggests that architects design out hazards through material choice. Rubber’s inherent elasticity not only absorbs impact but ensures performance longevity and reduced maintenance — critical for education, healthcare and public buildings where safety and durability are paramount.

Aesthetically, Artigo offers architects an extensive colour palette and a range of surface textures to create visual contrast where needed — a best-practice detail referenced in BS 8300-1:2018 and supported by the Inclusive Design Overlay. Combined with its PVC-free, low-VOC formulation and verified Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), Artigo rubber flooring supports RIBA’s 2030 Climate Challenge for sustainable material specification.

For architects seeking flooring for stairs that delivers on RIBA’s principles of accessibility, sustainability and integrated design, Artigo Rubber stands as the go to, compliant choice for modern buildings.

We value conversation and feel that each scheme is unique; so with that in mind please do contact us HERE to discuss your specific requirements.

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