Single Stair
Accessible Flats:

Cities across North America are starting to allow small scale, single stair apartment buildings or “point access blocks”. These buildings are everywhere in Europe and Asia, and offer numerous benefits including better accessibility, better daylight and cross ventilation, and better affordability.

In Vancouver recent building code changes allow for a single exterior stair serving a max of 4 to 6 units per floor.

”Light, Air, and a Social Stair”

Our team has been working with Oori Architecture on prototypes to prepare for the arrival of this new housing option.

Modern single stair multi-story apartment buildings with solar panels on the roofs, surrounded by green trees and a parking lot with cars. People are riding bikes, walking a dog, and the sky is clear.

The “4/5” prototype shown mid block and at the corner.
66’ frontages made from two 33’ lots.

50’ Lot: The “4/5”

Accessible, family friendly, low carbon, passive house.
Low (50%) site coverage = green space.

Single stair and elevator.

A peaceful residential neighborhood with multi-story single stair apartment buildings and single-family houses, cars parked along the street, a person walking, and a bicyclist riding by, surrounded by trees and landscaped gardens.

The “4/5” mid block, among single family homes on 50x122’ lots.
The front of the building is 4 storeys while the rear is 5 storeys.

A modern residential courtyard with multiple gray houses and apartment buildings, a parking area with three silver cars, landscaped gardens, potted plants, trees, and a person walking a dog.

The “4/5” mid block, viewed from the lane. The 5 storey portion has larger sideyards that are 20% the width of the lot. For a 50’ lot that equals 10’.
There can be a small amount of accessible parking spaces at the lane.

An aerial view of a residential neighborhood featuring a modern, multi-story single stair apartment building with balcony gardens, surrounded by single-family homes, trees, and parked cars.

The “4/5” mid block, among single family homes with a green roof carport.
This is bike-centric housing, with parking for cargo bikes and e-bikes in common areas and within each suite.

Aerial view of a residential neighborhood showing a modern multi-story apartment building with a rooftop terrace, solar panels, and several balconies, surrounded by traditional houses with trees and parked cars on the street.

The “4/5” mid block, among single family homes on 50x122’ lots.
The front roof can be a large roof deck (either common or private) and the upper roof can hold solar panels and heat pumps.

Aerial view of a modern house with illuminated interior rooms, surrounded by landscaped gardens, neighboring houses, driveway with parked cars, and a small playground area with a slide.

Example floor plan with the stair, open hallway and elevator in the middle.
Each half of the floor can hold one or two units. In this version there are three 1BR units per floor, all with windows or doors on 3 sides.

Multi-story building with a restaurant called 'Point Grey Roasters' on the ground floor, surrounded by trees, parked cars, and pedestrians on the street during early evening.

50’ Corner Lot:
The Corner Store

A modern residential building with multiple floors and balconies is shown in the image. The building has a combination of brick, siding, and large glass windows. The scene takes place during sunset, with people walking on the sidewalk, cycling, and cars parked along the street. Trees and landscaped greenery surround the building.

“Orphan Lots”:
The Small Lot Single Stair Building

A six-story modern residential building with balconies on each floor, surrounded by trees and neighboring houses, with pedestrians, cyclists, and cars on the street.

Single Stair Neighbourhoods

Aerial view of a modern residential complex with multiple apartment buildings, surrounded by trees and smaller houses in a suburban neighborhood.

A “Perimeter Block” neighbourhood built up from small lot single stair buildings.

A 3D rendering of a planned residential community with multiple apartment buildings and townhouses, separated by tree-lined streets and green spaces, labeled 'Town Centres (No Sideyard)'

Single stair buildings on 33’, 50’, 66’ and 100’ lots.

Style Variations

Within the same overall shape and size, we can generate a range of style variations so the building type can be tailored to the specific neighbourhood or owner’s preference.