Help Database

Many plans use the space beneath staircases for storage or utilities.

To create a room under a staircase:

1. Select Build> Stairs> Straight Stairs  from the menu, then click and drag to draw a staircase. 
   
   
   
2. Click on the stairs to select them, then click the Open Object  edit button.  On the Style tab of the Staircase Specification dialog:
   
   
   • Make sure that the box beside Open Underneath is checked.
     
     
   • Click the OK button to close the dialog and apply your change. 
     
     


3. Select Build> Wall> Straight Interior Wall  from the menu, then click and drag to draw interior walls to enclose the area beneath the stairs.
   
   
   • Notice that once drawn, walls drawn at the same location as the stairs do not display in floor plan view.
     
     
   • Do not draw or extend a wall past the second step of the staircase. 
     
     


4. Select Build> Door> Hinged Door  from the menu, then click once on a wall drawn in step 4, above, to place a door at that location.
   
   
   • If you prefer, you can instead create the door in a 3D view.



5. Use shelves, cabinets, items from the Fixtures (Interior) library category or other objects to finish the interior of the storage or utility room.
   
   
   
6. Select 3D> Create Perspective View> Full Camera from the menu, then click and drag a camera arrow towards the room that you created.
   
   In Chief Architect X1, use 3D> Create Render View> Render Full Camera.