McDaniel College Athletics Center
Structural Glass Stairs & Glass Landings

Project Overview

Location:
Westminster, Maryland

Project Feature:

Structural Glass Stair Treads

Project Type:

University Athletics & Fitness Center

Application:
Structural Glass Stair Treads & Glass Landings

Glass Type:
Structural Laminated Glass with GlassGrit® Anti-Slip Surface

Unique Design Challenges:
Create a dramatic architectural staircase that maximizes daylight while providing a durable, slip-resistant walking surface capable of handling continuous student and visitor traffic.



Photography:
Ryan Siemers Photography

Status:
Completed

The Story

The athletics center at McDaniel College was designed around openness, natural light, and movement. Rather than enclosing the central staircase with conventional materials, the design team selected structural glass stair treads and glass landings to become one of the building’s defining architectural features.



The custom glass staircase allows daylight from the expansive curtain wall to flow throughout the space, visually connecting multiple levels of the fitness center while creating an inviting focal point. The transparency of the glass complements the surrounding steel structure and glass railings, giving the entire staircase a light, floating appearance.

Each stair tread and landing was manufactured from tempered, laminated architectural glass and finished with TCG Glass’s GlassGrit® anti-slip walking surface. The result is a staircase that delivers the strength required for heavy daily pedestrian traffic while providing the confidence and safety expected in a busy university environment.

Today, the staircase continues to serve thousands of students, faculty, and visitors, demonstrating how structural glass can successfully combine engineering, safety, and contemporary architectural design.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are glass stair systems suitable for universities and schools?

Yes. Structural glass stair systems are engineered for demanding commercial environments, making them ideal for universities, schools, athletic facilities, and other public buildings that experience heavy pedestrian traffic.

Are the glass landings structural?
Yes. The stair treads and landings are manufactured from tempered, laminated structural glass and engineered specifically for the project’s loading requirements.

What is Privacy Frost glass?
Privacy Frost is a translucent glass finish that diffuses light while obscuring visibility through the glass. It provides privacy without sacrificing brightness, making it an excellent choice for stair treads, flooring, and other architectural applications.

How is slip resistance achieved?
The walking surfaces utilize TCG Glass’s GRIT anti-slip technology. This permanent surface treatment provides excellent traction while maintaining the clean, modern appearance of architectural glass.

Why combine glass stairs with glass landings?
Using glass throughout the entire staircase creates a seamless architectural feature that allows natural light to travel deeper into the building while enhancing the sense of openness between floors.

Can structural glass stair systems be customized?
Absolutely. Stair treads, landings, colors, glass finishes, edge treatments, and anti-slip surfaces can all be customized to meet the architectural vision and structural requirements of each project.

Can structural glass stairs be integrated with steel and glass railings?
Yes. Glass stair systems are frequently paired with steel framing, stainless steel hardware, and glass guardrails to create a cohesive contemporary design, as demonstrated in this McDaniel College installation.