Sean Jursnick
@seanjurs.bsky.social
Architect, housing advocate, and Emergent Ventures grant recipient
5 members of the public testified in support of the proposal at the hearing including members of SWEEP who noted that the change will encourage more infill housing where housing is in most demand and that infill housing is one of the best strategies for the city to reduce emissions and fight sprawl
November 7, 2025 at 11:19 PM
5 members of the public testified in support of the proposal at the hearing including members of SWEEP who noted that the change will encourage more infill housing where housing is in most demand and that infill housing is one of the best strategies for the city to reduce emissions and fight sprawl
The proposed code change language outlines safety measures required for single-stair buildings above and beyond standard multifamily projects with multiple egresses.
Council members were interested in safety measures with requests that the city track new projects developed under the code change.
Council members were interested in safety measures with requests that the city track new projects developed under the code change.
November 7, 2025 at 11:19 PM
The proposed code change language outlines safety measures required for single-stair buildings above and beyond standard multifamily projects with multiple egresses.
Council members were interested in safety measures with requests that the city track new projects developed under the code change.
Council members were interested in safety measures with requests that the city track new projects developed under the code change.
The proposed code change has four City Council sponsors
This week’s committee hearing featured testimony by DFD & Denver’s Chief Building Official who made recommendations to approve single-stair code changes, making Denver the first jurisdiction to comply with the state’s single-stair legislation
This week’s committee hearing featured testimony by DFD & Denver’s Chief Building Official who made recommendations to approve single-stair code changes, making Denver the first jurisdiction to comply with the state’s single-stair legislation
November 7, 2025 at 11:19 PM
The proposed code change has four City Council sponsors
This week’s committee hearing featured testimony by DFD & Denver’s Chief Building Official who made recommendations to approve single-stair code changes, making Denver the first jurisdiction to comply with the state’s single-stair legislation
This week’s committee hearing featured testimony by DFD & Denver’s Chief Building Official who made recommendations to approve single-stair code changes, making Denver the first jurisdiction to comply with the state’s single-stair legislation
🏠 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
yes, if the unit opens to a yard or court that opens to a public way
November 6, 2025 at 5:00 PM
yes, if the unit opens to a yard or court that opens to a public way
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"
the plan has a lot of quirks that I'm not used to seeing
November 5, 2025 at 10:33 PM
the plan has a lot of quirks that I'm not used to seeing
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.
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.
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"
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.
Denver single-stair case study using recent changes in the city's zoning and building code to unlock 4-stories of affordable housing on a lot zoned for 3-stories.
kgarch.com/4-story-sing...
kgarch.com/4-story-sing...
October 6, 2025 at 3:11 AM
Denver single-stair case study using recent changes in the city's zoning and building code to unlock 4-stories of affordable housing on a lot zoned for 3-stories.
kgarch.com/4-story-sing...
kgarch.com/4-story-sing...
"Building For People" by @holz-bau.bsky.social is one of the best recent urbanism books with a blistering critique of the status quo and how to change it.
October 4, 2025 at 6:08 PM
"Building For People" by @holz-bau.bsky.social is one of the best recent urbanism books with a blistering critique of the status quo and how to change it.
Hard no. IBC only allows a max of 3-stories of single-stair multifamily housing.
Nor will it might comply with 2027 IBC updates increasing the IBC limit to 4-stories shown here
Nor will it might comply with 2027 IBC updates increasing the IBC limit to 4-stories shown here
October 3, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Hard no. IBC only allows a max of 3-stories of single-stair multifamily housing.
Nor will it might comply with 2027 IBC updates increasing the IBC limit to 4-stories shown here
Nor will it might comply with 2027 IBC updates increasing the IBC limit to 4-stories shown here
Winner of Billings Architectural Association's 2025 Single-Stair Housing Competition by Trae Schwenneker. The competition focused on urban infill in Downtown Billings, MT.
The winning project honors the historic brick architect of Montana Avenue w/ ground-floor retail & four upper levels of condos.
The winning project honors the historic brick architect of Montana Avenue w/ ground-floor retail & four upper levels of condos.
October 3, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Winner of Billings Architectural Association's 2025 Single-Stair Housing Competition by Trae Schwenneker. The competition focused on urban infill in Downtown Billings, MT.
The winning project honors the historic brick architect of Montana Avenue w/ ground-floor retail & four upper levels of condos.
The winning project honors the historic brick architect of Montana Avenue w/ ground-floor retail & four upper levels of condos.
Good news - Safe, new apartment construction is at a 50-year high, with nearly 600,000 units in 2024
Bad news - U.S. housing stock is the oldest that it has ever been, putting residents at risk
bsky.app/profile/sean...
Bad news - U.S. housing stock is the oldest that it has ever been, putting residents at risk
bsky.app/profile/sean...
October 1, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Good news - Safe, new apartment construction is at a 50-year high, with nearly 600,000 units in 2024
Bad news - U.S. housing stock is the oldest that it has ever been, putting residents at risk
bsky.app/profile/sean...
Bad news - U.S. housing stock is the oldest that it has ever been, putting residents at risk
bsky.app/profile/sean...
Modular, mass timber, and single-stair
This workforce housing project in Montana maxes out the current IBC code limitations on single housing with a 10,000 sf floor plate and 8-bed units that each feature shared living, kitchen, and laundry.
www.idcubedmodular.com/blank
This workforce housing project in Montana maxes out the current IBC code limitations on single housing with a 10,000 sf floor plate and 8-bed units that each feature shared living, kitchen, and laundry.
www.idcubedmodular.com/blank
September 23, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Modular, mass timber, and single-stair
This workforce housing project in Montana maxes out the current IBC code limitations on single housing with a 10,000 sf floor plate and 8-bed units that each feature shared living, kitchen, and laundry.
www.idcubedmodular.com/blank
This workforce housing project in Montana maxes out the current IBC code limitations on single housing with a 10,000 sf floor plate and 8-bed units that each feature shared living, kitchen, and laundry.
www.idcubedmodular.com/blank
St. Olavsvei Apartment Block (Norway)
•Mass timber
•5-stories
•28 units
•up to 7 units per floor
•single-stair
•Mass timber
•5-stories
•28 units
•up to 7 units per floor
•single-stair
September 18, 2025 at 4:35 PM
St. Olavsvei Apartment Block (Norway)
•Mass timber
•5-stories
•28 units
•up to 7 units per floor
•single-stair
•Mass timber
•5-stories
•28 units
•up to 7 units per floor
•single-stair
Design study comparing single-stair vs multiple stair egress on a small 5,500 SF lot in Denver:
(L) double-loaded corridor
•71% efficiency
•(4) units
(R) single-stair
•87% efficiency
•(4) dual-aspect units
(L) double-loaded corridor
•71% efficiency
•(4) units
(R) single-stair
•87% efficiency
•(4) dual-aspect units
September 13, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Design study comparing single-stair vs multiple stair egress on a small 5,500 SF lot in Denver:
(L) double-loaded corridor
•71% efficiency
•(4) units
(R) single-stair
•87% efficiency
•(4) dual-aspect units
(L) double-loaded corridor
•71% efficiency
•(4) units
(R) single-stair
•87% efficiency
•(4) dual-aspect units
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...
September 10, 2025 at 9:36 PM
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...
In fact, many walkup 5-6 story single-stair projects in Seattle & NYC include accessible units (located on the ground floor) with no elevator service
Seattle's 6-story DP Studios project, pictured here, has no elevator and includes 2 ground floor accessible units & 20 units at the floors above
Seattle's 6-story DP Studios project, pictured here, has no elevator and includes 2 ground floor accessible units & 20 units at the floors above
September 2, 2025 at 9:19 PM
In fact, many walkup 5-6 story single-stair projects in Seattle & NYC include accessible units (located on the ground floor) with no elevator service
Seattle's 6-story DP Studios project, pictured here, has no elevator and includes 2 ground floor accessible units & 20 units at the floors above
Seattle's 6-story DP Studios project, pictured here, has no elevator and includes 2 ground floor accessible units & 20 units at the floors above
For nearly 20 years, many European cities have used the Leipzig Charter as a guide to tackle housing, climate, and equity challenges—turning big goals into local action.
What if North American cities had a housing north star like the Leipzig Charter?
ec.europa.eu/regional_pol...
What if North American cities had a housing north star like the Leipzig Charter?
ec.europa.eu/regional_pol...
August 27, 2025 at 5:27 PM
For nearly 20 years, many European cities have used the Leipzig Charter as a guide to tackle housing, climate, and equity challenges—turning big goals into local action.
What if North American cities had a housing north star like the Leipzig Charter?
ec.europa.eu/regional_pol...
What if North American cities had a housing north star like the Leipzig Charter?
ec.europa.eu/regional_pol...