One of the latest avenues to help tackle the current housing crisis is the recently introduced 2024 BCBC revision that enables the construction of single exit stair residential buildings greater than 2 storeys. For decades the two exit stair code requirement has resulted in the ubiquitous double loaded corridor apartment design all over the country. The change is intended to increase flexibility in design to allow projects on smaller lots and in different configurations. Join us for a discussion on the technical requirements, design opportunities and challenges of this recent code change, and what they could mean for the housing crisis.

First, Corie Luben of Celerity will provide an overview of the new technical requirements and mitigating features that will allow buildings up to 6 storeys to have a single exit stair. Inge Roecker of AIR Studio and Associate Professor at UBC SALA will follow with a discussion of the architectural opportunities this code change will enable for housing design and insights from a 6 storey single exit stair project currently at the Development Permit stage in the City of Vancouver.

The presentation will highlight the significant requirements that architects must be aware of when evaluating the feasibility or schematic design of single exit stair buildings.