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...
Reposted by Sean Jursnick
really enjoyed my conversation for this with christine on single stair, how seattle ended up leading on it, why it matters (and exists everywhere else) - and why fixing building codes is so important for housing. @stephenjacobsmith.com @seanjurs.bsky.social
nextcity.org/urbanist-new...
nextcity.org/urbanist-new...
The Seattle Example for Unlocking More Housing, One Stairway at a Time
By rethinking the building code and allowing single-stair apartment buildings, the city made small-lot, mid-rise apartments feasible — and sparked a wider reform movement.
nextcity.org
February 11, 2026 at 6:33 PM
really enjoyed my conversation for this with christine on single stair, how seattle ended up leading on it, why it matters (and exists everywhere else) - and why fixing building codes is so important for housing. @stephenjacobsmith.com @seanjurs.bsky.social
nextcity.org/urbanist-new...
nextcity.org/urbanist-new...
Reposted by Sean Jursnick
One estimate suggests that 18,000 homes a year are not being built because of the UK’s new requirement for a second stairway at 18 meters. Some are advocating to raise the limit to 50 meters, in line with global standards. archive.is/2026.02.09-1...
archive.is
February 11, 2026 at 2:11 AM
One estimate suggests that 18,000 homes a year are not being built because of the UK’s new requirement for a second stairway at 18 meters. Some are advocating to raise the limit to 50 meters, in line with global standards. archive.is/2026.02.09-1...
"A close analysis of the US building code development process reveals a system rife ... in which the costs and benefits of regulations are improperly measured (if measured at all)"
-UCLA Lewis Center: Cracking the Code (Jan 2026)
escholarship.org/content/qt0x...
-UCLA Lewis Center: Cracking the Code (Jan 2026)
escholarship.org/content/qt0x...
February 10, 2026 at 4:45 PM
"A close analysis of the US building code development process reveals a system rife ... in which the costs and benefits of regulations are improperly measured (if measured at all)"
-UCLA Lewis Center: Cracking the Code (Jan 2026)
escholarship.org/content/qt0x...
-UCLA Lewis Center: Cracking the Code (Jan 2026)
escholarship.org/content/qt0x...
Wisconsin's 6-story single-stair bill dropped last month with 9 bill sponsors.
Oddly, the bill creates a council consisting of industry gatekeepers to author the single-stair code including an IRC expert even though 6-story projects would be under the IBC
docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related...
Oddly, the bill creates a council consisting of industry gatekeepers to author the single-stair code including an IRC expert even though 6-story projects would be under the IBC
docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related...
Wisconsin Legislature: AB784: Bill Text
docs.legis.wisconsin.gov
February 9, 2026 at 5:52 PM
Wisconsin's 6-story single-stair bill dropped last month with 9 bill sponsors.
Oddly, the bill creates a council consisting of industry gatekeepers to author the single-stair code including an IRC expert even though 6-story projects would be under the IBC
docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related...
Oddly, the bill creates a council consisting of industry gatekeepers to author the single-stair code including an IRC expert even though 6-story projects would be under the IBC
docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related...
Bringing similar scrutiny to the building code, last year, Utah doubled the allowable number of units permitted under the residential code by allowing 4 unit residential projects.
up.codes/viewer/utah/...
up.codes/viewer/utah/...
February 6, 2026 at 5:29 PM
Bringing similar scrutiny to the building code, last year, Utah doubled the allowable number of units permitted under the residential code by allowing 4 unit residential projects.
up.codes/viewer/utah/...
up.codes/viewer/utah/...
A California lawmaker has proposed allowing projects up to 10 units be constructed under the residential code.
That's 5x more than the current IBC limit of 2 units.
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTe...
That's 5x more than the current IBC limit of 2 units.
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTe...
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
February 6, 2026 at 5:12 PM
A California lawmaker has proposed allowing projects up to 10 units be constructed under the residential code.
That's 5x more than the current IBC limit of 2 units.
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTe...
That's 5x more than the current IBC limit of 2 units.
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTe...
Excited to see The Architect's Newspaper featuring the winners of the National Single Stair Design Competition and their amazing work.
www.archpaper.com/2026/01/nati...
www.archpaper.com/2026/01/nati...
January 29, 2026 at 7:39 PM
Excited to see The Architect's Newspaper featuring the winners of the National Single Stair Design Competition and their amazing work.
www.archpaper.com/2026/01/nati...
www.archpaper.com/2026/01/nati...
Apartment floor plate comparison.
Standard double-loaded corridor with single-aspect units on the left.
Seattle single-stair project, with triple-aspect units on the right.
Standard double-loaded corridor with single-aspect units on the left.
Seattle single-stair project, with triple-aspect units on the right.
January 28, 2026 at 7:19 PM
Apartment floor plate comparison.
Standard double-loaded corridor with single-aspect units on the left.
Seattle single-stair project, with triple-aspect units on the right.
Standard double-loaded corridor with single-aspect units on the left.
Seattle single-stair project, with triple-aspect units on the right.
This month, ULI's Urban Land magazine is featuring Seattle's BB House adaptive reuse project.
Not mentioned in the article is the fact that the compact, 5-story addition is made possible with single stair egress and Seattle's unique building code.
urbanland.uli.org/resilience-a...
Not mentioned in the article is the fact that the compact, 5-story addition is made possible with single stair egress and Seattle's unique building code.
urbanland.uli.org/resilience-a...
Project Profile: Why an Ordinary Old Building in Seattle Was Worth Saving
It’s not as if the old two-story building at the corner of 12th and Remington Court, in Seattle’s First Hill neighborhood, was ever particularly remarkable. Even in its original incarnation, it was a ...
urbanland.uli.org
January 23, 2026 at 10:51 PM
This month, ULI's Urban Land magazine is featuring Seattle's BB House adaptive reuse project.
Not mentioned in the article is the fact that the compact, 5-story addition is made possible with single stair egress and Seattle's unique building code.
urbanland.uli.org/resilience-a...
Not mentioned in the article is the fact that the compact, 5-story addition is made possible with single stair egress and Seattle's unique building code.
urbanland.uli.org/resilience-a...
Reposted by Sean Jursnick
Thanks to Seattle's unique stair code, point access blocks like the Alki Condominiums create density on small beachfront lots
Located on Alki Beach, the project adds 10 units to the waterfront
At 6-stories tall, the Alki Condominiums are illegal to build in most US cities
Located on Alki Beach, the project adds 10 units to the waterfront
At 6-stories tall, the Alki Condominiums are illegal to build in most US cities
November 10, 2024 at 12:59 AM
Thanks to Seattle's unique stair code, point access blocks like the Alki Condominiums create density on small beachfront lots
Located on Alki Beach, the project adds 10 units to the waterfront
At 6-stories tall, the Alki Condominiums are illegal to build in most US cities
Located on Alki Beach, the project adds 10 units to the waterfront
At 6-stories tall, the Alki Condominiums are illegal to build in most US cities
Tucked on a 9' wide lot, PituRooms is a 6-story, 7-unit hotel dubbed the 'skinniest hotel ever'
Built on an overlooked lot in Indonesia, the project creates an efficient use of space and depends on a compact circulation core.
Built on an overlooked lot in Indonesia, the project creates an efficient use of space and depends on a compact circulation core.
January 16, 2026 at 9:35 PM
Tucked on a 9' wide lot, PituRooms is a 6-story, 7-unit hotel dubbed the 'skinniest hotel ever'
Built on an overlooked lot in Indonesia, the project creates an efficient use of space and depends on a compact circulation core.
Built on an overlooked lot in Indonesia, the project creates an efficient use of space and depends on a compact circulation core.
Happening tomorrow: webinar on single-stair housing led by life safety experts SGH.
I am looking forward to the conversation that will explore how we need to be open to new ideas to accommodate new strategies and new ways of providing housing.
Registration link: www.sgh.com/news-event/0...
I am looking forward to the conversation that will explore how we need to be open to new ideas to accommodate new strategies and new ways of providing housing.
Registration link: www.sgh.com/news-event/0...
Allowing Six-Story Single-Egress Stair Buildings to Address Affordable Housing Needs
www.sgh.com
January 15, 2026 at 5:42 PM
Happening tomorrow: webinar on single-stair housing led by life safety experts SGH.
I am looking forward to the conversation that will explore how we need to be open to new ideas to accommodate new strategies and new ways of providing housing.
Registration link: www.sgh.com/news-event/0...
I am looking forward to the conversation that will explore how we need to be open to new ideas to accommodate new strategies and new ways of providing housing.
Registration link: www.sgh.com/news-event/0...
Last month, I sat down with Single Stair North Carolina to discuss how Denver's single stair design competition united architects, policymakers, & community leaders.
The interview explored lessons learned for communities seeking solutions to the housing crisis.
singlestairnc.substack.com
The interview explored lessons learned for communities seeking solutions to the housing crisis.
singlestairnc.substack.com
January 13, 2026 at 4:32 PM
Last month, I sat down with Single Stair North Carolina to discuss how Denver's single stair design competition united architects, policymakers, & community leaders.
The interview explored lessons learned for communities seeking solutions to the housing crisis.
singlestairnc.substack.com
The interview explored lessons learned for communities seeking solutions to the housing crisis.
singlestairnc.substack.com
Reposted by Sean Jursnick
Built in 1978 as the original "Seattle Special," all 15 units at the 6-story, single-stair Pike & Virginia Building overlook Puget Sound.
The first new construction in the Pike Place Market historic district in 50 years, it was designed with a small footprint to meet strict urban design guidelines.
The first new construction in the Pike Place Market historic district in 50 years, it was designed with a small footprint to meet strict urban design guidelines.
January 9, 2026 at 10:31 PM
Built in 1978 as the original "Seattle Special," all 15 units at the 6-story, single-stair Pike & Virginia Building overlook Puget Sound.
The first new construction in the Pike Place Market historic district in 50 years, it was designed with a small footprint to meet strict urban design guidelines.
The first new construction in the Pike Place Market historic district in 50 years, it was designed with a small footprint to meet strict urban design guidelines.
Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King & County is proving what’s possible with Olympic Ridge.
With a single-stair design, they’ve managed to fit 17 dual-aspect affordable condos on a incredibly narrow 35-foot wide lot in Capitol Hill.
This is a masterclass in urban infill and density done right.
With a single-stair design, they’ve managed to fit 17 dual-aspect affordable condos on a incredibly narrow 35-foot wide lot in Capitol Hill.
This is a masterclass in urban infill and density done right.
January 12, 2026 at 7:36 PM
Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King & County is proving what’s possible with Olympic Ridge.
With a single-stair design, they’ve managed to fit 17 dual-aspect affordable condos on a incredibly narrow 35-foot wide lot in Capitol Hill.
This is a masterclass in urban infill and density done right.
With a single-stair design, they’ve managed to fit 17 dual-aspect affordable condos on a incredibly narrow 35-foot wide lot in Capitol Hill.
This is a masterclass in urban infill and density done right.
Last week, a reporter asked what’s next for the single-stair movement.
My hope? That it does for building codes what @wesmars.bsky.social and "Killed by a Traffic Engineer" did for transit: establish that US building codes are fundamentally outdated and ready for a complete overhaul.
My hope? That it does for building codes what @wesmars.bsky.social and "Killed by a Traffic Engineer" did for transit: establish that US building codes are fundamentally outdated and ready for a complete overhaul.
January 12, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Last week, a reporter asked what’s next for the single-stair movement.
My hope? That it does for building codes what @wesmars.bsky.social and "Killed by a Traffic Engineer" did for transit: establish that US building codes are fundamentally outdated and ready for a complete overhaul.
My hope? That it does for building codes what @wesmars.bsky.social and "Killed by a Traffic Engineer" did for transit: establish that US building codes are fundamentally outdated and ready for a complete overhaul.
Reposted by Sean Jursnick
NEW VIDEO: North America’s Elevator’s Problem
Elevators are absolutely essential to modern cities..... and it turns out North America kind of sucks at them. We partnered with @sightline.org to look into the many issues plaguing our elevator industry, and what it might take to fix it.
Elevators are absolutely essential to modern cities..... and it turns out North America kind of sucks at them. We partnered with @sightline.org to look into the many issues plaguing our elevator industry, and what it might take to fix it.
The United States has the fewest elevators in the rich world, with Canada only a bit ahead. We teamed up with @uytaelee.bsky.social of About Here Videos to investigate why, exactly, North America sucks at elevators.
North America's Elevator Problem
YouTube video by About Here
youtu.be
January 11, 2026 at 11:02 PM
NEW VIDEO: North America’s Elevator’s Problem
Elevators are absolutely essential to modern cities..... and it turns out North America kind of sucks at them. We partnered with @sightline.org to look into the many issues plaguing our elevator industry, and what it might take to fix it.
Elevators are absolutely essential to modern cities..... and it turns out North America kind of sucks at them. We partnered with @sightline.org to look into the many issues plaguing our elevator industry, and what it might take to fix it.
Built in 1978 as the original "Seattle Special," all 15 units at the 6-story, single-stair Pike & Virginia Building overlook Puget Sound.
The first new construction in the Pike Place Market historic district in 50 years, it was designed with a small footprint to meet strict urban design guidelines.
The first new construction in the Pike Place Market historic district in 50 years, it was designed with a small footprint to meet strict urban design guidelines.
January 9, 2026 at 10:31 PM
Built in 1978 as the original "Seattle Special," all 15 units at the 6-story, single-stair Pike & Virginia Building overlook Puget Sound.
The first new construction in the Pike Place Market historic district in 50 years, it was designed with a small footprint to meet strict urban design guidelines.
The first new construction in the Pike Place Market historic district in 50 years, it was designed with a small footprint to meet strict urban design guidelines.
Reposted by Sean Jursnick
January 9, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Rocksresort - Laax, Switzerland by Domenig Architekten
4-story single-stair buildings - designed to look like "randomly fallen boulders"- clustered around a central square.
The 11 monolithic cube-shaped buildings include 4-6 units per floor and 160 luxury apartments and a 70-unit boutique hotel.
4-story single-stair buildings - designed to look like "randomly fallen boulders"- clustered around a central square.
The 11 monolithic cube-shaped buildings include 4-6 units per floor and 160 luxury apartments and a 70-unit boutique hotel.
December 19, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Rocksresort - Laax, Switzerland by Domenig Architekten
4-story single-stair buildings - designed to look like "randomly fallen boulders"- clustered around a central square.
The 11 monolithic cube-shaped buildings include 4-6 units per floor and 160 luxury apartments and a 70-unit boutique hotel.
4-story single-stair buildings - designed to look like "randomly fallen boulders"- clustered around a central square.
The 11 monolithic cube-shaped buildings include 4-6 units per floor and 160 luxury apartments and a 70-unit boutique hotel.
Reposted by Sean Jursnick
whoa @jamestalarico.bsky.social mentions passing #SingleStair bill in texas, on @chrislhayes.bsky.social #inners #housing #affordability
let's gooooo!
www.larchlab.com/point-access...
let's gooooo!
www.larchlab.com/point-access...
Larch Lab Policy Brief: Point Access Blocks
Over the last few months, we've been working with several policymakers, advocacy groups, and jurisdictions on Point Access Block legislation. To facilitate those conversations and educate policymakers...
www.larchlab.com
December 11, 2025 at 1:40 AM
whoa @jamestalarico.bsky.social mentions passing #SingleStair bill in texas, on @chrislhayes.bsky.social #inners #housing #affordability
let's gooooo!
www.larchlab.com/point-access...
let's gooooo!
www.larchlab.com/point-access...
Reposted by Sean Jursnick
East Bay for Everyone, as co-host with Livable Communities Initiative, is proud to announce the winners of the National Single Stair Design Competition:
www.singlestair.com
www.singlestair.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:19 PM
East Bay for Everyone, as co-host with Livable Communities Initiative, is proud to announce the winners of the National Single Stair Design Competition:
www.singlestair.com
www.singlestair.com
Congrats to the ONTO Álvaro Obregón project in Mexico City for winning The Architect's Newspaper's Residential (small, multi-unit) Project of the Year.
CRB Arquitectos recently completed the 8-story mass timber building that contains 59 units, a shared roof deck, and ground floor restaurant.
CRB Arquitectos recently completed the 8-story mass timber building that contains 59 units, a shared roof deck, and ground floor restaurant.
December 10, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Congrats to the ONTO Álvaro Obregón project in Mexico City for winning The Architect's Newspaper's Residential (small, multi-unit) Project of the Year.
CRB Arquitectos recently completed the 8-story mass timber building that contains 59 units, a shared roof deck, and ground floor restaurant.
CRB Arquitectos recently completed the 8-story mass timber building that contains 59 units, a shared roof deck, and ground floor restaurant.
This week, the 'Kentucky Housing Task Force' issued a Final Report recommending key building code reforms to bring down construction costs
Included is a suggestion to change state building code to allow single-stair housing(although it is already allowed up to 3-stories)
www.klc.org/News/13091/k...
Included is a suggestion to change state building code to allow single-stair housing(although it is already allowed up to 3-stories)
www.klc.org/News/13091/k...
November 26, 2025 at 5:01 PM
This week, the 'Kentucky Housing Task Force' issued a Final Report recommending key building code reforms to bring down construction costs
Included is a suggestion to change state building code to allow single-stair housing(although it is already allowed up to 3-stories)
www.klc.org/News/13091/k...
Included is a suggestion to change state building code to allow single-stair housing(although it is already allowed up to 3-stories)
www.klc.org/News/13091/k...
Reposted by Sean Jursnick
Another new member of the Parking + Single Stair Reform club just dropped. Congrats to Denver! Who's next?
It's official, last night Denver City Council adopted a local single-stair ordinance!
Beginning December 31, 2025, 5-story single-stair housing will be permitted in Denver!
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/24/d...
Beginning December 31, 2025, 5-story single-stair housing will be permitted in Denver!
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/24/d...
Denver City Council approves single-stair building ordinance
Denver City Council approves ordinance for 5-story single-stair buildings, promoting affordable housing and flexible building options.
www.coloradopolitics.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Another new member of the Parking + Single Stair Reform club just dropped. Congrats to Denver! Who's next?