Gravity Architecture is pleased to be partnering with the University of Calgary’s School of Architecture, Planning + Landscape this fall as we research the implications and policy amendments surrounding single-stair egress in medium density residential projects - also known as a Point Access Block (PAB) development. Through SAPL’s Workplace Integrated Learning program, Gravity is collaborating with a cohort of 5 senior SAPL M.Arch students to explore the qualities of PAB, led by our own SAPL alumni: Noel Heard and Maureen Carrigy.
This summer, the government of British Columbia announced their intention to change the BC building code to allow for small residential apartment buildings (up to six storeys) to be built with only one means of egress - a single exit stairwell core. This type of development is common outside of North America and at Gravity we are often impressed by international buildings that utilize this technique as they offer a level of efficiency to small sites that our current building practices don’t allow for in Canada. The potential that PAB design offers to expand the range of housing available in the British Columbia market will be immensely impactful in mitigating the housing crisis. PAB provides a new set of tools that will allow developers to build residential architecture more efficiently and on a wider range of sites. To ignite our research and hopefully curate a proposal that supports policy change in favour of PAB’s, we looked to jurisdictions in North America already experimenting with this typology, such as Seattle, and made the decision to have our research team participate in the Buildner Denver Single-Stair Housing Challenge for Point Access Block housing. By participating in the competition, we believe this will provide our research team the best opportunity to develop a strong, robust, proposal and provide a mechanism that effectively tests the potential of Point Access Block in very realistic conditions.
Point Access Block (PAB) housing is a common and efficient residential design method used in urban environments across most of the world, especially Europe. This design approach, characterized by a single staircase that serves all units, supports high-density living, promotes walkable neighborhoods, and enhances urban sustainability through the utilization of smaller infill sites otherwise left undeveloped. However, despite these benefits, this housing typology is largely absent in North America due to stringent building codes that mandate dual staircases for building egress above two or three stories. These restrictive regulations have contributed to the housing crisis by limiting the diversity and affordability of housing options given the land-area requirements for traditional multi-housing development.
Over 12 weeks of researching and experimenting, we aim to explore and highlight the limitations of restrictive building codes and strive for change to allow for the Single-Stair building typology. By showcasing innovative designs, the studio seeks to influence building code changes that will allow for more diverse, affordable, and sustainable housing solutions in North America. Our goal is to research, learn, and ultimately curate feasible designs to submit to the Denver Single-Stair Housing Challenge. Split into two research teams, the students have been enlisted with designing a mid-rise, single stair residential building on a site outlined by the competition brief, under the mentorship of Gravity Architecture. The designs will maximize the potential of the site, promote sustainability, enhance the visual and functional character of the neighborhood, and be respectful of realistic budgets and construction practices. By participating in a design competition based in Denver, it is our goal to use the lessons learned to better understand how change can be implemented within the Canadian context.
