Regional and Urban Design Committee

Is Housing Overregulated?

First, we make the building codes, then they shape our cities, which then shape us. 

Occasionally, when the codes become too thick and the cost too high, we fight back, as in the quest to lower the cost for multi-family housing by allowing the cheaper wood construction we know from single family homes. Model codes now permit up to six floors in what is aptly called, "stick-built" fashion. This new construction type has quickly taken over coast to coast.

Stick-built five plus one building San Diego (Photo Philipsen)

However, the housing shortage persists and code watchers have identified the next frontier: The dual exit stair requirement. Across the country building codes are being modified to allow six story buildings with a single exit stair instead of the maximal three stories allowed under the International Building Code (IBC). 

If this sounds alarming to you, especially in the combination wood and single exit,  you should read on. 

READ FULL STORY

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[Klaus] Philipsen FAIA
Archplan Inc. Philipsen Architects
Baltimore MD
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Referring back to Europe as one to follow for fire code requirements is a joke. 
Last year in Milan spent a week in a new midrise hotel with no fire sprinklers nor standpipes, and the electrical breaker panel in the closet. 
Also visited the new convention center the size of 16 football fields, crammed with combustible displays, have no fire sprinklers. 

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Donald Koppy
True Architecture, LLC
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-30-2025 03:21 PM
From: Nikolaus Philipsen
Subject: High Stakes: Can Single-Exit Buildings Tackle the Housing Shortage?

Is Housing Overregulated?

First, we make the building codes, then they shape our cities, which then shape us. 

Occasionally, when the codes become too thick and the cost too high, we fight back, as in the quest to lower the cost for multi-family housing by allowing the cheaper wood construction we know from single family homes. Model codes now permit up to six floors in what is aptly called, "stick-built" fashion. This new construction type has quickly taken over coast to coast.

Stick-built five plus one building San Diego (Photo Philipsen)

However, the housing shortage persists and code watchers have identified the next frontier: The dual exit stair requirement. Across the country building codes are being modified to allow six story buildings with a single exit stair instead of the maximal three stories allowed under the International Building Code (IBC). 

If this sounds alarming to you, especially in the combination wood and single exit,  you should read on. 

READ FULL STORY

------------------------------
[Klaus] Philipsen FAIA
Archplan Inc. Philipsen Architects
Baltimore MD
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