Point access block (single-stair) buildings are ubiquitous across the globe, except for North America. Building codes are the big reason why. Debate in recent years has centered on relegalizing them in the United States and Canada, but because the issue is so esoteric, there is still reticence among many to allow them. Uytae Lee of About Here explains why point access blocks are a worthy policy discussion, especially for urban housing. Lee also dives into how stringent building laws came to North America unlike abroad and how many modern regulations have mooted much of the safety concerns around point access blocks.
One Stairway is Enough to Reach Housing Heaven
A bill allowing single-stairway “point access block” buildings would enhance housing and neighborhoods. On February 2nd the Washington State Senate held its first hearing on SB 5491, a bill that adds a powerful tool to the state’s housing arsenal by permitting point access blocks — compact single stair buildings with dwellings centered around a stairway … Continue reading One Stairway is Enough to Reach Housing Heaven
Seattle’s Lead on Single Stair Buildings
Seattle doesn’t lead on a lot of things when it comes to building codes, land use codes, or even energy codes — though given that our housing deficit is in the hundreds of thousands and we can’t come anywhere close to meeting our climate goals, we absolutely need to. Yet, there is one place when … Continue reading Seattle’s Lead on Single Stair Buildings
