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Conrad Speckert @conradspeckert.bsky.social · 1d

There are healthy limits to free advice, suggest you contact a company like Savaria to discuss.

Conrad Speckert @conradspeckert.bsky.social · 1d

This building has a LULA small elevator, the report you screenshotted is referring to stretcher-size requirements that are not applicable when the code exception for “limited-use/limited-application” elevators is used.

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Conrad Speckert @conradspeckert.bsky.social · 1d

This pilot project for SES building design is also featured here. Others of similar configuration have been accepted in Vancouver, Edmonton and Hamilton. singlestair.ca/Office-Ou

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Conrad Speckert @conradspeckert.bsky.social · 1d

The project is described in more detail here - singlestair.ca/Office-Ou

Office Ou — Single Stair Alternative Solutions: CMHC Housing Supply Challenge

Office Ou Pilot Project (Toronto) Typology 3-Storey Apartment Building Occupancy Group C, 6 Dwelling Units Classification 2024 Ontario Building Code,...

singlestair.ca

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Reposted by Conrad Speckert

Sean Jursnick @seanjurs.bsky.social · 14d

Winner of Billings Architectural Association's 2025 Single-Stair Housing Competition by Trae Schwenneker. The competition focused on urban infill in Downtown Billings, MT.

The winning project honors the historic brick architect of Montana Avenue w/ ground-floor retail & four upper levels of condos.

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Conrad Speckert @conradspeckert.bsky.social · 15d

A few more renderings, diagrams and the typical floor plan!

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Conrad Speckert @conradspeckert.bsky.social · 15d

To see all the drawings and other submissions, check out - urbanarium.org/decoding-tim...

Decoding Timber Towers | Urbanarium

urbanarium.org

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Conrad Speckert @conradspeckert.bsky.social · 15d

Our team placed 2nd in the Urbanarium "Decoding Timber Towers" architectural ideas competition (1st place to @moriyamateshima.bsky.social) with our 20-storey mass timber tower featuring a compact elevator and exit stair core, exposed ceilings, prefab balconies and a balanced mix of 1 to 4 bed homes!

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Reposted by Conrad Speckert

Stephen Jacob Smith @stephenjacobsmith.com · 16d

Pew finds something that everybody in codes and standards knows but few will say out loud: we apply far stricter fire safety standards to apartments than to houses. www.pew.org/en/research-...

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Reposted by Conrad Speckert

Bryn Davidson - Lanefab @lanefab.com · 17d

“Modern apartments have a fire death rate … six times lower than older apartments… (or) single-family homes…”

Aka why new single stair flats would be among the safest buildings in your city.

www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-bu...

Why Building Modern Apartments Can Solve the Housing Shortage and Improve Fire Safety

State and local policymakers across the country are exploring ways to expand housing options as communities face a persistent shortage that has driven costs to record highs. One way to close the gap i...

www.linkedin.com

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Reposted by Conrad Speckert

Sean Jursnick @seanjurs.bsky.social · 24d

Modular, mass timber, and single-stair

This workforce housing project in Montana maxes out the current IBC code limitations on single housing with a 10,000 sf floor plate and 8-bed units that each feature shared living, kitchen, and laundry.

www.idcubedmodular.com/blank

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Conrad Speckert @conradspeckert.bsky.social · 25d

Floor plans available anywhere?

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Reposted by Conrad Speckert

Bobby Fijan @bobbyfijan.bsky.social · 26d

This comparison shows the price of putting an internal garage on a rowhouse

Both of these rowhomes are ~16' wide

Left: 2BR+Den/3BA
Right: 4BR/3.5BA

So the cost is losing TWO bedroom.

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Conrad Speckert @conradspeckert.bsky.social · 27d

E3, Kaden Klingbeil Architekten (2008)
Esmarchstrasse 3, Prenzlauerberg

Height: 7 storeys (22m)
Use: 6 dwellings, 1 commercial
GFA: 987m2
Sprinklered: No

This early example of mass timber used alternative code compliance to exceed the height limit for timber construction and has an exterior stair.

Conrad Speckert @conradspeckert.bsky.social · 27d

Baugemeinschaft Walden 48
Scharabi Architekten + Anne Raupach (2020)
Landsberger Allee 48, Friedrichshain

Height: 6 storeys incl. mezz (18m)
Use: 43 dwellings
GFA: 4,800m2
Sprinklered: No

Each exit stair serves 2 or 3 homes per storey for a total of twelve dwelling units served by each exit stair.

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Conrad Speckert @conradspeckert.bsky.social · 27d

A few more pics, exterior metal entry gate, dry standpipe riser, exterior screened garbage enclosure, slate cladding and perforated wood soffits

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Conrad Speckert @conradspeckert.bsky.social · 27d

Visited two of my favourite Point Access Blocks (single stair apartment buildings) in Berlin… E3 on Esmarchstrasse in Prenzlauerberg (encapsulated mass timber, noncombustible exterior stair) and Walden 48 co-op housing project nearby in exposed mass timber and treated wood cladding.

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Reposted by Conrad Speckert

Joe Cohen @cohenhouse.bsky.social · Sep 15

Why are single-stair buildings actually SAFER than two stair buildings in some circumstances?

It seems counter intuitive… obviously, more redundancy is better, right?

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Reposted by Conrad Speckert

Joe Cohen @cohenhouse.bsky.social · Sep 15

Important TOMORROW:

The LA City Council is going to vote on whether to legalize single stair buildings. Opponents have launched a disinformation campaign, and we need people to give public comment in support.

Will you be joining me tomorrow at 10am in City Hall?

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Conrad Speckert @conradspeckert.bsky.social · Sep 13

🧡

Reposted by Conrad Speckert

Sean Jursnick @seanjurs.bsky.social · Sep 13

Design study comparing single-stair vs multiple stair egress on a small 5,500 SF lot in Denver:

(L) double-loaded corridor
•71% efficiency
•(4) units

(R) single-stair
•87% efficiency
•(4) dual-aspect units

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Conrad Speckert @conradspeckert.bsky.social · Sep 13

We must work within the firefighting capabilities that exist here today, and hence focus on technical conditions to achieve a better level of safety/lower risk through building systems and design.

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Conrad Speckert @conradspeckert.bsky.social · Sep 13

Sweden and Germany’s codes are premised upon corridor separation of the exit where ladder rescue cannot be accomodated. Since ladder rescue is not practical in North America above 3 storeys (trees, overhead utilities, access routes) - the basis of SES/PAB >3/4 storeys is that it must have corridors.

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Conrad Speckert @conradspeckert.bsky.social · Sep 10

I have only had some informal meetings

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Reposted by Conrad Speckert

More Neighbours Toronto @moreneighboursto.bsky.social · Sep 1

Week 2

On a tiny corner lot in Boston, Condor Street Housing shows how much a single stair can do. A small elevator makes every unit barrier-free, linked by a short corridor to meet code. Even on one of the tightest sites, the plan delivers safe and accessible homes.

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