@ggwash "Lesson learned: Single-stair multifamily designs enabled narrow buildings that fit on narrow city lots; adding more units means more narrow buildings, instead of making big buildings even wider or taller. Smaller buildings allow more builders to participate in neighborhood evolution." #ArchitecturalHistory #DMV #preservation #SingleStair #BuildingCodeReform #Housing #Architecture
It is very early days, but I have written two draft submissions to allow safer and more affordable #MissingMiddle homes in #Virginia which I intend to submit for public consideration next month as soon as that becomes possible. Thanks to https://bsky.app/profile/stephenjacobsmith.com for doing the work at the national level to make this much more possible here. #BuildingCodeReform
“I want us to have a building code that’s motivated by science and informed by trade-offs,” Eriksen said. “I’m worried we’re building a world that’s too expensive to live in.” https://slate.com/business/2025/02/housing-crisis-apartments-development-single-stair-reform-codes.html #SingleStair #BuildingCodeReform #Housing #Elevator #FireSafety #Science #Architecture #EvidenceBasedPolicy
https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/reports/2025/02/small-single-stairway-apartment-buildings-have-strong-safety-record Very excited to see this released. “In New York City, the overall rate of fire deaths in its 4,440 modern single-stair buildings since 2012 was the same as in other residential buildings.” #housing #BuildingCodeReform #FireSafety #SingleStair #architecture
https://storeys.com/vancouver-single-egress-stairs-building-code/ More affordable and safer #SingleStair #Housing may be coming to #Vancouver , but staff are concerned, especially around cost issues. They are recommending against any change for now but do see a way forward if change is desired. #BuildingCodeReform
@kissane Possibly this? Permissible in North America as of 2018 thanks to #buildingcodereform https://www.architectmagazine.com/practice/an-unexpected-ally-of-gender-neutral-restrooms-building-codes
https://www.centerforbuilding.org/singlestair-tracker There is a great snapshot here of all of the work in the US and Canada to fix building codes. Mexico to my knowledge has always allowed this so they can work on something else. #buildingcodereform #housing #singlestair
https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/16880-exit-strategy-the-case-for-single-stair-egress “Statistically, the evidence is clear: fire-death rates are consistently lower in Europe than in the U.S. and Canada” #buildingcodereform #housing #design #firesafety #inflation #shortage
This was part of the inspiration for what got me thinking seriously about #zoningreform and #buildingcodereform , looking at the wonderful pre-zoning buildings in #cville from 1929 and before we fight to preserve and wondering why we stopped getting them. We banned them!
Congratulations to Delegate McClure and Governor Youngkin for setting the stage for more affordable, attractive, and safe #missingmiddle #housing in #virginia https://www.instagram.com/p/C5WwgLxRhjU/ #singlestair #buildingcodereform #inflation
I have heard that single stair building code reform has now passed both chambers of the #virginia legislature. This is looking really favorable for some good news out of the next building code cycle. #housing #buildingcodereform
