You can find Sjaak's (which I spelled Skaaj :ph34r: ) script here:
http://www.cobbs.ca/bbs/showthread.php?t=841. It's a very handy tool.
Stair's steps must be 0.5 feet high at most else avatars can't walk them.
Using your system or the one I suggest wouldn't change much in terms of 'travel time' since in the end we'd have to climb the same height.
The only way I can see to make it accessible from both sides would be to have the inside of the building slightly higher/lower than the outside, so that the steps are at the right height on both floor.. hm difficult to explain like this. I'll do a picture if you want.
it ought to be off to one side I think.it ought to be off to one side I think.
I'm not sure I understand, what do you mean?
You're right about handrails, those would be usefull.