Sean Jursnick
@seanjurs.bsky.social
Architect, housing advocate, and Emergent Ventures grant recipient
Pinned
Sean Jursnick
@seanjurs.bsky.social
· Sep 10
Denver Single-Stair Housing Challenge (2025)
Challenge: Envision a way to boost housing, lower costs, & allow more light-filled, family-friendly units on small Denver lots
Result: 230+ creative submissions from designers and architects around the world
architecturecompetitions.com/pointaccessb...
Challenge: Envision a way to boost housing, lower costs, & allow more light-filled, family-friendly units on small Denver lots
Result: 230+ creative submissions from designers and architects around the world
architecturecompetitions.com/pointaccessb...
The people writing urban building codes aren't actually familiar with urbanism ↓↓↓
You get the sense listening to firefighters and code professionals that most multifamily buildings in America are built in rural areas with volunteer fire departments that rely entirely on ground ladders. I think it reflects where a lot of them live more than the reality of multifamily construction.
I love how the firefighters union, when confronted with data about the safety of single stair, argue “Well New York and Seattle have good firefighters, unlike here in California where we suck ass at our jobs”
November 19, 2025 at 4:21 AM
The people writing urban building codes aren't actually familiar with urbanism ↓↓↓
Reposted by Sean Jursnick
Culver City's single stair ordinance has been approved by the state, so you can now build single-stair apartment buildings up to six stories
November 19, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Culver City's single stair ordinance has been approved by the state, so you can now build single-stair apartment buildings up to six stories
Denver’s chief building official was interviewed about the upcoming change to the City's building code to allow taller single-stair housing that exceeds the state's minimum requirements by also allowing Type III construction
businessden.com/2025/11/17/d...
businessden.com/2025/11/17/d...
Denver’s single-stair building measure poised to go beyond state minimum
It's about balancing a desire for higher density with resident safety.
businessden.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Denver’s chief building official was interviewed about the upcoming change to the City's building code to allow taller single-stair housing that exceeds the state's minimum requirements by also allowing Type III construction
businessden.com/2025/11/17/d...
businessden.com/2025/11/17/d...
Reposted by Sean Jursnick
alright folks - you have until midnight pacific time on 11/16 to snag my book, Building For People, for 50% off. grab an extra for your favorite mayor, council member, or legislator!
and not just mine - numerous other
@islandpress.bsky.social books are on sale.
islandpress.org/books/buildi...
and not just mine - numerous other
@islandpress.bsky.social books are on sale.
islandpress.org/books/buildi...
Building for People
islandpress.org
November 16, 2025 at 1:39 AM
alright folks - you have until midnight pacific time on 11/16 to snag my book, Building For People, for 50% off. grab an extra for your favorite mayor, council member, or legislator!
and not just mine - numerous other
@islandpress.bsky.social books are on sale.
islandpress.org/books/buildi...
and not just mine - numerous other
@islandpress.bsky.social books are on sale.
islandpress.org/books/buildi...
The Reason Foundation is latest organization promoting better housing policy through single-stair code reform.
reason.org/commentary/t...
reason.org/commentary/t...
The staircase rule that’s limiting housing growth
Revisiting the two-stair requirement in building code could improve spatial efficiency and expand housing options.
reason.org
November 11, 2025 at 4:53 PM
The Reason Foundation is latest organization promoting better housing policy through single-stair code reform.
reason.org/commentary/t...
reason.org/commentary/t...
Pro-Housing Pittsburgh:
Removing the two-staircase requirement in the building code is key to tackling Pittsburgh's housing crisis by lowering construction costs, unlocking smaller lots, and allowing more family-sized units @prohousingpgh.org
www.prohousingpgh.org/blog/policy-...
Removing the two-staircase requirement in the building code is key to tackling Pittsburgh's housing crisis by lowering construction costs, unlocking smaller lots, and allowing more family-sized units @prohousingpgh.org
www.prohousingpgh.org/blog/policy-...
Policy - Allow Single Staircase Buildings — Pro-Housing Pittsburgh
Building codes that seek to keep people safe, but that were created in a time of lesser fire suppression technologies, have created a two staircase requirement for most buildings. This makes small bui...
www.prohousingpgh.org
November 10, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Pro-Housing Pittsburgh:
Removing the two-staircase requirement in the building code is key to tackling Pittsburgh's housing crisis by lowering construction costs, unlocking smaller lots, and allowing more family-sized units @prohousingpgh.org
www.prohousingpgh.org/blog/policy-...
Removing the two-staircase requirement in the building code is key to tackling Pittsburgh's housing crisis by lowering construction costs, unlocking smaller lots, and allowing more family-sized units @prohousingpgh.org
www.prohousingpgh.org/blog/policy-...
Reposted by Sean Jursnick
This is a great article by @matthutchins.bsky.social on how Seattle’s new missing middle allowances can lead to a broad range of new housing options on lots previously sequestered for 1 single home.
medium.com/@matthutchin...
medium.com/@matthutchin...
Making Seattle neighborhoods more accessible by design
Four case studies on how new zoning incentives align with demographic shifts to meet housing demand.
medium.com
November 9, 2025 at 1:26 AM
This is a great article by @matthutchins.bsky.social on how Seattle’s new missing middle allowances can lead to a broad range of new housing options on lots previously sequestered for 1 single home.
medium.com/@matthutchin...
medium.com/@matthutchin...
🏠 Denver just got closer to building more housing!
This week, City Council's seven member Housing Committee unanimously advanced a bill allowing 5-story single-stair buildings in a decisive 7-0 vote.
Final Full Council vote: 11/24
Effective Date: 12/31/25
This week, City Council's seven member Housing Committee unanimously advanced a bill allowing 5-story single-stair buildings in a decisive 7-0 vote.
Final Full Council vote: 11/24
Effective Date: 12/31/25
November 7, 2025 at 11:19 PM
🏠 Denver just got closer to building more housing!
This week, City Council's seven member Housing Committee unanimously advanced a bill allowing 5-story single-stair buildings in a decisive 7-0 vote.
Final Full Council vote: 11/24
Effective Date: 12/31/25
This week, City Council's seven member Housing Committee unanimously advanced a bill allowing 5-story single-stair buildings in a decisive 7-0 vote.
Final Full Council vote: 11/24
Effective Date: 12/31/25
The next pro-housing state eyeing architectural innovation through single-stair reform: Utah
kslnewsradio.com/utah/small-b...
kslnewsradio.com/utah/small-b...
Small building code could unlock thousands of new Utah homes
Utah could ease its housing shortage and lower construction costs by making one small change to its building code.
kslnewsradio.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:58 PM
The next pro-housing state eyeing architectural innovation through single-stair reform: Utah
kslnewsradio.com/utah/small-b...
kslnewsradio.com/utah/small-b...
For decades, a prime but isolated corner parking lot at 4th & Broadway in Denver's Baker neighborhood was too small for traditional development.
Thanks to Denver's forthcoming single-stair code updates, KGA Architects is proposing a 5-story single-stair apt on this "forgotten lot"
Thanks to Denver's forthcoming single-stair code updates, KGA Architects is proposing a 5-story single-stair apt on this "forgotten lot"
November 6, 2025 at 4:42 PM
For decades, a prime but isolated corner parking lot at 4th & Broadway in Denver's Baker neighborhood was too small for traditional development.
Thanks to Denver's forthcoming single-stair code updates, KGA Architects is proposing a 5-story single-stair apt on this "forgotten lot"
Thanks to Denver's forthcoming single-stair code updates, KGA Architects is proposing a 5-story single-stair apt on this "forgotten lot"
Reposted by Sean Jursnick
Why do builders put up giant McMansions, when zoning allows a fourplex? TLDR: A host of regulations make fourplexes lose money.
I read the eye-opening report. Now I'm looking forward to the podcast.
I read the eye-opening report. Now I'm looking forward to the podcast.
November 5, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Why do builders put up giant McMansions, when zoning allows a fourplex? TLDR: A host of regulations make fourplexes lose money.
I read the eye-opening report. Now I'm looking forward to the podcast.
I read the eye-opening report. Now I'm looking forward to the podcast.
Reposted by Sean Jursnick
Reposted by Sean Jursnick
this building's floorplate is nearly half as wide as the typical new build in seattle today
www.baunetz-architekten.de/studiovlay/8...
www.baunetz-architekten.de/studiovlay/8...
LOFT-FLÜGEL | StudioVlayStreeruwitz, Wien
Architekten Profil im BauNetz von StudioVlayStreeruwitz, 1100 Wien - Studi,Vlay,Streelitz,Wien,Österreich
www.baunetz-architekten.de
November 5, 2025 at 10:30 PM
this building's floorplate is nearly half as wide as the typical new build in seattle today
www.baunetz-architekten.de/studiovlay/8...
www.baunetz-architekten.de/studiovlay/8...
TerraEsperanza in Guatemala City shows what’s possible with the flexibility of single-stair design — a vibrant, 10-story mixed-use building on a small lot.
Designed by Mexico City's Legorreta + Legorreta, the project floats above the grade plane and provides a variety of unit sizes.
Designed by Mexico City's Legorreta + Legorreta, the project floats above the grade plane and provides a variety of unit sizes.
November 5, 2025 at 9:59 PM
TerraEsperanza in Guatemala City shows what’s possible with the flexibility of single-stair design — a vibrant, 10-story mixed-use building on a small lot.
Designed by Mexico City's Legorreta + Legorreta, the project floats above the grade plane and provides a variety of unit sizes.
Designed by Mexico City's Legorreta + Legorreta, the project floats above the grade plane and provides a variety of unit sizes.
AIA Tennessee Single-Stair Design Competition Finalist:
Lightframe
A new type of living in Knoxville. The building is centered around a central concrete core with the basic circulation needs, one stair and an elevator. Living spaces are suspended from the concrete core with steel platforms.
Lightframe
A new type of living in Knoxville. The building is centered around a central concrete core with the basic circulation needs, one stair and an elevator. Living spaces are suspended from the concrete core with steel platforms.
November 4, 2025 at 7:15 PM
AIA Tennessee Single-Stair Design Competition Finalist:
Lightframe
A new type of living in Knoxville. The building is centered around a central concrete core with the basic circulation needs, one stair and an elevator. Living spaces are suspended from the concrete core with steel platforms.
Lightframe
A new type of living in Knoxville. The building is centered around a central concrete core with the basic circulation needs, one stair and an elevator. Living spaces are suspended from the concrete core with steel platforms.
"States Advance Single-Stairway Reforms to Expand Housing"
see also-
•Small Single-Stairway Apartment Buildings Have Strong Safety Record
•Single-Stair as a Path to More Affordable, Diverse, and Sustainable Housing
www.pew.org/en/research-...
see also-
•Small Single-Stairway Apartment Buildings Have Strong Safety Record
•Single-Stair as a Path to More Affordable, Diverse, and Sustainable Housing
www.pew.org/en/research-...
States Advance Single-Stairway Reforms to Expand Housing
Lawmakers across the United States are turning to a relatively simple but potentially effective reform to ease the nation’s housing shortage: Allow small and medium-sized apartment buildings to have a...
www.pew.org
November 4, 2025 at 6:38 PM
"States Advance Single-Stairway Reforms to Expand Housing"
see also-
•Small Single-Stairway Apartment Buildings Have Strong Safety Record
•Single-Stair as a Path to More Affordable, Diverse, and Sustainable Housing
www.pew.org/en/research-...
see also-
•Small Single-Stairway Apartment Buildings Have Strong Safety Record
•Single-Stair as a Path to More Affordable, Diverse, and Sustainable Housing
www.pew.org/en/research-...
Reposted by Sean Jursnick
in q&a, the kelsey's allie cannington mentions they are excited about single stair and elevator reform - and mention how it can help get elevators into smaller projects.
wow.
cc @edmendoza.bsky.social @stephenjacobsmith.com @markasaurus.bsky.social
thekelsey.org/learn-center...
wow.
cc @edmendoza.bsky.social @stephenjacobsmith.com @markasaurus.bsky.social
thekelsey.org/learn-center...
Single-Stair Reform and People with Disabilities - The Kelsey
Single-stair reform can increase housing supply, reduce construction costs, and improve accessibility for people with disabilities. Learn why cities across the U.S. are adopting this approach to creat...
thekelsey.org
November 4, 2025 at 12:45 AM
in q&a, the kelsey's allie cannington mentions they are excited about single stair and elevator reform - and mention how it can help get elevators into smaller projects.
wow.
cc @edmendoza.bsky.social @stephenjacobsmith.com @markasaurus.bsky.social
thekelsey.org/learn-center...
wow.
cc @edmendoza.bsky.social @stephenjacobsmith.com @markasaurus.bsky.social
thekelsey.org/learn-center...
Reposted by Sean Jursnick
The second egress stair in modern missing-middle housing is like your appendix;
It's a remnant from long ago that no longer serves a purpose and sometimes creates real problems.
It's a remnant from long ago that no longer serves a purpose and sometimes creates real problems.
Fire departments also argue against some #roadsafety improvements that would slow down cars and make our neighbourhoods safer. Why? Because they like their big trucks and don't want to replace them with smaller trucks. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
There's a push for single-stair apartments in Canada. Calgary firefighters want the city to reject it | CBC News
Calgary’s firefighters union is trying to prevent what it calls a dangerous housing trend — in which multi-storey housing buildings are being constructed with only one stairwell — from making its way ...
www.cbc.ca
November 3, 2025 at 6:05 PM
The second egress stair in modern missing-middle housing is like your appendix;
It's a remnant from long ago that no longer serves a purpose and sometimes creates real problems.
It's a remnant from long ago that no longer serves a purpose and sometimes creates real problems.
1pm, Tuesday, 11/4, Denver's City Council's Housing Committee will hear 15-minutes of public testimony on single-stair building code amenmdents.
Sign up to testify here-
www.denvergov.org/Government/A...
Sign up to testify here-
www.denvergov.org/Government/A...
October 31, 2025 at 9:45 PM
1pm, Tuesday, 11/4, Denver's City Council's Housing Committee will hear 15-minutes of public testimony on single-stair building code amenmdents.
Sign up to testify here-
www.denvergov.org/Government/A...
Sign up to testify here-
www.denvergov.org/Government/A...
Tadao Ando's multifamily circulation strategy: Scissor stairs
At the 8-story, 53-luxury unit Dubai Armani Beach Residences, the award-winning architect will utilize an exit strategy not allowed in US building code where units are clustered around vertical stair and elevator cores.
At the 8-story, 53-luxury unit Dubai Armani Beach Residences, the award-winning architect will utilize an exit strategy not allowed in US building code where units are clustered around vertical stair and elevator cores.
October 24, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Tadao Ando's multifamily circulation strategy: Scissor stairs
At the 8-story, 53-luxury unit Dubai Armani Beach Residences, the award-winning architect will utilize an exit strategy not allowed in US building code where units are clustered around vertical stair and elevator cores.
At the 8-story, 53-luxury unit Dubai Armani Beach Residences, the award-winning architect will utilize an exit strategy not allowed in US building code where units are clustered around vertical stair and elevator cores.
Reposted by Sean Jursnick
Single-stair buildings up to 6 stories are legal in Baltimore City! Headed to Mayor Scott's desk for signature.
October 20, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Single-stair buildings up to 6 stories are legal in Baltimore City! Headed to Mayor Scott's desk for signature.
I asked Colorado’s affordable housing leaders what size projects they’re building during a panel on single-stair housing at the Housing Colorado conference. The answers made one thing clear: Colorado has missing middle housing problem.
"Abundance means all types of housing typologies"
"Abundance means all types of housing typologies"
October 16, 2025 at 8:35 PM
I asked Colorado’s affordable housing leaders what size projects they’re building during a panel on single-stair housing at the Housing Colorado conference. The answers made one thing clear: Colorado has missing middle housing problem.
"Abundance means all types of housing typologies"
"Abundance means all types of housing typologies"
Reposted by Sean Jursnick
After TO Council passed a motion indicating the City was open to Alternative Solution Proposals for a single stair in apts up to 4 storeys, I applied for a single stair in a 3 storey Part 9 6plex.
I’m told it’s the first one, so it’s a test case. Here’s how it’s going.
#singlestair #sixplex
I’m told it’s the first one, so it’s a test case. Here’s how it’s going.
#singlestair #sixplex
October 16, 2025 at 12:17 PM
After TO Council passed a motion indicating the City was open to Alternative Solution Proposals for a single stair in apts up to 4 storeys, I applied for a single stair in a 3 storey Part 9 6plex.
I’m told it’s the first one, so it’s a test case. Here’s how it’s going.
#singlestair #sixplex
I’m told it’s the first one, so it’s a test case. Here’s how it’s going.
#singlestair #sixplex
439 Am Tacheles, Berlin
A 10-building mixed-use enclave w/ high-end housing designed by Herzog & de Meuron.
Units are characterized by a focus on minimalist design and diverse layouts that cater to a luxury market.
Single stair circulation allows full depth plans for ample daylight.
A 10-building mixed-use enclave w/ high-end housing designed by Herzog & de Meuron.
Units are characterized by a focus on minimalist design and diverse layouts that cater to a luxury market.
Single stair circulation allows full depth plans for ample daylight.
October 11, 2025 at 11:21 PM
439 Am Tacheles, Berlin
A 10-building mixed-use enclave w/ high-end housing designed by Herzog & de Meuron.
Units are characterized by a focus on minimalist design and diverse layouts that cater to a luxury market.
Single stair circulation allows full depth plans for ample daylight.
A 10-building mixed-use enclave w/ high-end housing designed by Herzog & de Meuron.
Units are characterized by a focus on minimalist design and diverse layouts that cater to a luxury market.
Single stair circulation allows full depth plans for ample daylight.
AIA Tennessee Single-Stair Design Competition Finalist:
SEED BLOCK (a prototype for block-scale growth)
proposing a repeatable, flexible, six-story mixed-use protype tailored to grow within Knoxville's typical 50'x100' lot dimensions.
SEED BLOCK (a prototype for block-scale growth)
proposing a repeatable, flexible, six-story mixed-use protype tailored to grow within Knoxville's typical 50'x100' lot dimensions.
October 9, 2025 at 8:10 PM
AIA Tennessee Single-Stair Design Competition Finalist:
SEED BLOCK (a prototype for block-scale growth)
proposing a repeatable, flexible, six-story mixed-use protype tailored to grow within Knoxville's typical 50'x100' lot dimensions.
SEED BLOCK (a prototype for block-scale growth)
proposing a repeatable, flexible, six-story mixed-use protype tailored to grow within Knoxville's typical 50'x100' lot dimensions.