SINGLE STAIR BUILDINGS
Single Stair buildings have long been neglected as a tool for infilling our cities. Despite their ubiquity European cities, we have not been able to build them since the law requiring two means of egress forced fire stairs on many of our older buildings.
Today, advances in technology are overcoming these objections and several jurisdictions are looking to legalize them not just to address the current housing affordability crisis, but as the perfect building block for rebuilding cities. This is not only because the density achievable within their six story limit is the same as some of the greatest cities in the world, but because their flexibility in plan means that a variety of configurations are possible, especially when developing a small infill lot.
Today, advances in technology are overcoming these objections and several jurisdictions are looking to legalize them not just to address the current housing affordability crisis, but as the perfect building block for rebuilding cities. This is not only because the density achievable within their six story limit is the same as some of the greatest cities in the world, but because their flexibility in plan means that a variety of configurations are possible, especially when developing a small infill lot.
Flanders Flats - Portland, OR
The goal of this project was to design a building that was resilient to the challenges of climate change, with a solar roof and stormwater retainage tanks below the courtyard. It also takes advantage of a neighboring buildings courtyard to provide natural ventilation to all units. The facade was designed to provide a contextual infill building to its historic district.
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The Eddy House - San Francisco, CA
The goal of this project was to infill a narrow lot in the historic Tenderloin District in San Francisco. I excluded an elevator and staggered the units to minimize unnecessary circulation spaces and maximize the courtyard size. To mitigate the walk-up, the top two floors are duplex units which step back from the courtyard faces allowing more light and air to enter all units. The facade was designed to blend into its surrounding historic context.
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W6th Apartments - Austin, TX
The goal of this project was to maximize the density and offer a wide range of unit sizes, given the limitations of single stair buildings. Located on West 6th Street in downtown Austin, it was intended to extend the kind of street life seen on East 6th Street into the West. Its modern facade was designed to complement the eclectic character of the neighborhood, and serve as a beacon for the up-and-coming West Street District.
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