Courthouse Builds Stairway to Pervert Heaven

on June 9, 2011 at 10:10 PM

Apple Store Glass StairsYou would think someone would have figured it out before the whole thing was completed, but alas no one knew just what a hazard a new glass staircase constructed in the middle of an Ohio courthouse would be. Though stunning, the set of stairs that seemed to almost "float up from the ground" in the newly constructed $105 million Franklin County Common Pleas Courthouse also provided a very inappropriate view for those below when women in skirts went up and down.

Basically, anyone standing below the stairs is in a prime crotch shot-watching position. Bad enough anywhere, but even more so in a courthouse -- the place where all sorts of sexual predators and offenders are called. Brilliant!

Even more brilliant has been the response of building officials. According to the Columbus Dispatch, security guards were told to "keep an eye out for people craning their necks." So listen up perverts, if you want a peek, you better be stealth about it.

Seriously, you'd think they'd take immediate action even if it meant taping up some cardboard until the problem was fixed, but eh, it's just women (and perhaps a few men in kilts) affected, and they certainly don't want to affect the "artistic integrity of the building." They can take the elevator.

Fortunately it's not ALL glass staircases that provide this particular view. In fact, there are plenty popping up around the country -- modeled after the one in some of Apple's stores -- but most designers are smart enough to stop the skirt issue with various design techniques. Apparently not those involved in this project.

One female judge has taken to warning women, telling them to take the elevator. Judge Julie M. Lynch told 10TV News there's also great potential for lawsuits as pictures could be taken and spread on the Internet. "How can you open a brand new building and not take in consideration half the population?"

Exactly!

If it wasn't so awful, it would be laughable. Okay, it's totally laughable ... unless you're a woman working in that building and don't want to take the elevator, or an Ohio taxpayer who's going to be footing the tab to fix this major mistake.

What do you think of this big, huge architectural faux pas?

Image via El Negro Vikingo/Flickr

About the author Julie Ryan Evans

can be found writing from coffee houses wherever she may be. The quality of her days is largely influenced by the seat she nabs and whether a protein plate is available.

Filed Under: in the news

Comments (13)

JAFE

on Jun 9, 2011 at 10:44 PM

I can't even believe an architect did this. What an incompetent fool. I think the firm that did this owes the city some money.

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Nonmember comment from PeterJ

on Jun 9, 2011 at 11:38 PM

The stairs in the courthouse are NOT glass, but have transparent risers between wide opaque steps. I honestly can't understand what the big deal is. I have seen many buildings with these kinds of stairs, that is to say with no risers and gaps between the stairs. Seems to me that Judge Lynch is making a big deal out of very little, and in any case, was she not privy to design details of the building? Clearly this is something she missed too, but is quite happy to blame the other half of the population after the fact. If I were a taxpayer in Franklin county, I would be more concerned about the exhorbitant cost of the building, $105 million!, than people standing around under the stairs craning their necks awkwardly to look upwards.

Julie7220

on Jun 9, 2011 at 11:55 PM

Well, i'm just thinking it's crazy to have a glass stair way, i mean what is or was the purpose for glass?? Why not just have a regular stairway, it still serves the same purpose?? Getting from one floor to the next!!

Nonmember comment from FartOnMyHeart

on Jun 10, 2011 at 1:03 AM

I really don't see what the big deal is. I wouldn't be totally appalled if someone saw up my skirt, although I rarely ever wear skirts. If u r too shy about what u would look like from 10 feet in the air through foggy glass, then imagine what your boyfriend/husband feels like looking at u eye level.

Nonmember comment from devans00

on Jun 10, 2011 at 6:58 AM

The main thing I learned from this story is that the courthouse designers have no women on staff. And/or they don't listen to or respect them. Unfortunately, attitudes like PeterJ show that taking women's point of view under consideration isn't a high priority for a lot of people. It doesn't matter what the stairs are made of. If there is a chance to see up someone's skirt against their will, then it's uncool to design the stairs that way. I was just in an Apple store with a glass staircase yesterday. The area under the stairs is blocked so no one can stand underneath.

on Jun 10, 2011 at 8:53 AM

@ fart-Your name should really say it all!! Too shy?? To have someone see up my skirt or dress?? Are you nuts or what? Shy has nothing to do with it. If I wanted to show my parts I'd go strip or do a handstand and let my dress fall. Surely you must be crazy to think this is about shyness and what does my husband see's have to do with it???? Yep, the men think it's okay. Figures.

NicholasMama608

on Jun 10, 2011 at 9:46 AM

Has anyone thought if a little girl needs to be in court for some reason? What is she is in a dress or skirt? Is it OK for people to get a peep show from her? Or is it just OK for them to get one from an adult woman?

TroysMommy1220

on Jun 10, 2011 at 10:29 AM

It has nothing to do with being shy...complete strangers looking up my skirt is disgusting.

DebaLa

on Jun 10, 2011 at 10:55 AM

PeterJ, if you look at the link, the steps are not wide enough to obscure the view from the walkway underneath. Go ahead, take your kilt out for a spin and see for yourself, er... we'll see. If it's not a concern, why are they ordering Security to watch the stairs for pervs?? Frankly, I'd be more concerned about courthouse violence with a glass staircase. Foolish, costly and vain all the way around. smh

MemphisSuzi

on Jun 10, 2011 at 11:38 AM

The stairs themselves are concrete. The vertical panels are glass -- you would really have to strain and crane to see anything. Anyone looking would be quite obvious. In the mean time, they are trying to come up with a solution -- like removing the tables from underneath it.