The stairwell in SVA's 136 W 21 Street building provides access to twelve floors of classrooms and offices, a basement, and a roof. I was drawn to this location because I love observing the minute details of extremely normal spaces. The stairwell still bears the marks of turn of the century architecture, and many, many layers of paint.
Data collected during this survey include historical and contemporary architectural elements, fire safety mechanisms, and the travel path of a single Sour Patch Kid observed in early June 2025.
The physical architectural artifacts of the stairwell include the building's original architectural features, such as decorative rosettes and wrought-iron railings, but also include newer safety features, such as fire suppression and wayfinding signage.
Today, the 136 21 St. stairwell is used by students hurrying between classes and busy facilities workers doing their jobs. Further observations of architectural and sensory elements of the 136 W 21st Street stairwell revealed objects out of place and some textures.
Objects out of place include construction detritus, such as stray pieces of wire and screws. They also included objects most likely left by the building's student population, such as used gum, and a single red sour patch kid.
Interviews With Stairwell Users
"I use the stairs to travel increments of floors less than four."
Skye Mahaffie
"I am scared of getting locked in the stairwell."
Alli Wolf
"Don't mind me, I am just suffering with my old lady knees over here."
Anonymous
"I once set off the security alarm and security came up, so now I am paranoid."
Stacy Morrison
Over a century later, the stairwell still carries out its purpose.
I imagine it happy.
