Following on yesterday's convo with a city building code official, it sounds like there might be a path forward for a #singlestair with open light/smoke wells with a perimeter = 50% of the core's perimeter, perhaps combined with operable skylights.
No guarantees but this could be a good solution.
No guarantees but this could be a good solution.
October 16, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Everybody can reply
15 likes
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
Everybody can reply
21 reposts
13 quotes
69 likes
6 saves
Cancel the Corridor
What’s the case against double loading a corridor?
nyra.nyc
October 14, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Everybody can reply
3 reposts
4 likes
By contrast, with #SingleStair the exit stair is always right out your front door (and you’re only sharing it with a relative handful of people).
By the time the FD arrives everyone able bodied can be out with time to spare.
By the time the FD arrives everyone able bodied can be out with time to spare.
September 25, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Everybody can reply
1 reposts
6 likes
Appreciate @vanfirerescue.bsky.social and @cityofvancouver.bsky.social staff collaborating to create rules for #SingleStair buildings (up to 6 storeys, max 30 units).
These aren’t a silver bullet for all our housing challenges but they are a ‘Silver Key’ for unlocking small lot accessible housing
These aren’t a silver bullet for all our housing challenges but they are a ‘Silver Key’ for unlocking small lot accessible housing
September 25, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Everybody can reply
2 reposts
30 likes
Apparently there are a few. Would be good to compare notes.
#singlestair
#singlestair
September 25, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Everybody can reply
Personally, I would much rather we eliminate single-family zoning so we can have cities full of row-homes, plexes, and #SingleStair apartments connected by bike paths & regional rail.
Instead, we're pushing anyone who doesn't make over $100K to live in RV's.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
Instead, we're pushing anyone who doesn't make over $100K to live in RV's.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
Priced out of traditional housing, more Americans are living in RVs
Moving into an RV may seem like a way to save money, but it can come with unexpected costs and trap families in a cycle of debt.
www.nbcnews.com
September 24, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Everybody can reply
1 reposts
5 likes
The Boston Globe will cover #SingleStair as part of an upcoming series unpacking regulations and housing scarcity in Massachusetts
September 22, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Everybody can reply
1 reposts
11 likes
Old school #Singlestair and #prefab - the Nakagin capsule tower (exhibit at NY MOMA)
September 19, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Everybody can reply
8 likes
Next up:
Panel discussion on #singlestair data on fire safety
@chrisgannon.bsky.social and co
Alex Horowitz: I’m excited about single stair as a way to IMPROVE fire safety
Panel discussion on #singlestair data on fire safety
@chrisgannon.bsky.social and co
Alex Horowitz: I’m excited about single stair as a way to IMPROVE fire safety
September 16, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Everybody can reply
3 reposts
6 likes
Aside:
If you want to better understand #SingleStair, here are some diagrams:
bsky.app/profile/lane...
If you want to better understand #SingleStair, here are some diagrams:
bsky.app/profile/lane...
An updated thread of diagrams,
comparing Single Egress Stair (SES) buildings
to Double-Loaded buildings (with two stairs and a hallway).
aka why SES buildings are better, and - in many aspects - safer than double loaded buildings.
comparing Single Egress Stair (SES) buildings
to Double-Loaded buildings (with two stairs and a hallway).
aka why SES buildings are better, and - in many aspects - safer than double loaded buildings.
September 14, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Everybody can reply
1 reposts
3 likes
“First it was high level zoning, now it’s about deeper issues like #singlestair, parking etc”
September 14, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Everybody can reply
1 reposts
5 likes
LA City Council … doing something good? What is this feeling
August 21, 2025 at 4:52 AM
Everybody can reply
1 reposts
2 likes
Looks like LA is also getting on the #SingleStair bandwagon
August 8, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Everybody can reply
1 reposts
14 likes
https://nashville.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7433986&GUID=B8491A2F-6B1C-4507-A310-2058064BA422 Congratulations to #nashville for unanimously permitting safer and more affordable missing middle homes. #buildingcode #singlestair #missingmiddle #housing
Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County, TN - File #: BL2025-898
Title: An ordinance amending Title 16 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws to adopt updated building codes.
nashville.legistar.com
July 16, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Everybody can reply
About to kickoff the #SingleStair talk with ULI, downtown Vancouver
July 9, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Everybody can reply
1 quotes
6 likes
Too big. Destined to be on an arterial road with noise and pollution. Unidirectional light is problematic. Better would be 6-12 story infill with windows on at least 2 sides for each unit. #singlestair #fixzoning
July 1, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Everybody can reply
Nice to see @saanichbc.bsky.social @tealepb.bsky.social pushing for euro elevators.
This is the other leg of the stool, along with #singlestair code changes, and small lot multi family zoning.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
This is the other leg of the stool, along with #singlestair code changes, and small lot multi family zoning.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
B.C. municipality pushes for European-style elevators to cut costs, boost accessibility | CBC News
A Vancouver Island municipality is pushing the province to make changes to its elevator rules in a bid to make homes more accessible and affordable.
www.cbc.ca
June 16, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Everybody can reply
5 reposts
24 likes
Imagining "Bike Oriented Development" (BOD)
4 storey #SingleStair, Accessible 12 plex
In this case, a 66x122 residential lot (combining two 33s)
with a lane, 10% side yard (6.6').
(3x) 1270sf flats, 3br + Den
(7x) 850sf 2BR
(2x) 450sf Studios
(1x) 1000sf Cargo Bike Garage
4 storey #SingleStair, Accessible 12 plex
In this case, a 66x122 residential lot (combining two 33s)
with a lane, 10% side yard (6.6').
(3x) 1270sf flats, 3br + Den
(7x) 850sf 2BR
(2x) 450sf Studios
(1x) 1000sf Cargo Bike Garage
June 11, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Everybody can reply
10 reposts
2 quotes
53 likes
Imagining a 4 storey #SingleStair 8 plex with "family size units" that could fit 'everywhere'.
In this case, a 50x122 residential lot with a lane,
with 50% site coverage.
(4x) 1300sf flats, 3br + Den
(3x) 1000sf flats, 2br
(1x) 850sf 1BR
(1x) 150sf Cargo Bike Garage
In this case, a 50x122 residential lot with a lane,
with 50% site coverage.
(4x) 1300sf flats, 3br + Den
(3x) 1000sf flats, 2br
(1x) 850sf 1BR
(1x) 150sf Cargo Bike Garage
June 5, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Everybody can reply
17 reposts
11 quotes
110 likes
Texas SB2835 | 2025-2026 | 89th Legislature
Bill Text (2025-05-27) Relating to municipal regulation of stairway requirements in certain apartment buildings. [Record vote RV#3664]
legiscan.com
May 28, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Everybody can reply
2 reposts
12 likes
Some exciting progress happening in sunny #baltimore on #singlestair #missingmiddle design and building code reform https://www.cnudc.org/single-stair-competition #buildingcode #housing https://www.cnudc.org/single-stair-competition
Single Stair Competition | cnu-dc-chapter
www.cnudc.org
May 27, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Everybody can reply
2 reposts
Housing affordability needs bold moves—like embracing single-stair buildings. They've proven safe globally, slash costs, and help cities build smarter. Let's reform outdated codes. #ProHousing #SingleStair
More from @rachelmcohen.bsky.social at Vox: link.upforgrowth.org/B6QTUZ
More from @rachelmcohen.bsky.social at Vox: link.upforgrowth.org/B6QTUZ
May 14, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Everybody can reply
All of this on top of the fact that hallways kill the ability to provide cross ventilation and good multi bedroom layouts with windows.
#SingleStair : Focus on the real world benefits, and don’t get distracted by the imagined downsides (that aren’t supported by evidence).
#SingleStair : Focus on the real world benefits, and don’t get distracted by the imagined downsides (that aren’t supported by evidence).
May 14, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Everybody can reply
1 reposts
10 likes
Not sure where he stands on #singlestair but my sense is he would be an advocate for the code and zoning reforms needed to make it scalable.
May 13, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Everybody can reply
3 likes