Broken Stairwells
Broken stairwells are stairwells or staircases that have either completely collapsed or are missing steps. These dangerous sites are often used in fictional narratives as a risky method to traverse a ruin or damaged building. Collapsed stairwells may be nothing more than an exposed vertical shaft (and a rope may be needed) or be mostly intact (with the exception of certain steps which could give way if any weight is placed upon them).
| Synonyms: collapsed stairs, steps |
| Example Mythonyms: old stairwell two |
Designing Broken Stairwells
Archetypes
Overview
Designers should consider the vertical space that any collapsed or collapsing stairwell spans. To increase tension in any narrative, the broken areas are often located high enough for any fall to be lethal. Accessing floors whose stairs have collapse may pose a challenge.
