Why North America Can't Build Nice Apartments (because of one rule)

Summary

This video explores the architectural and regulatory differences between North American and European apartment buildings, focusing on the requirement for two separate staircases in North America for safety reasons. The script discusses the implications of this rule on housing density, variety, and affordability, while also highlighting the potential benefits of single-staircase buildings for family-sized units and urban infill development. It questions the necessity of the strict rule in the context of modern fire safety advancements and suggests that a nuanced approach might better serve evolving urban needs.

Takeaways

• 🏘️ Quaint walkup apartments are popular worldwide for their character but are rarely built in North America due to building code restrictions.
• 🛗 The 'point access block' is a type of apartment building with a single staircase and elevator, common in desirable neighborhoods but not in North America.
• 🇨🇦🇺🇸 In Canada and the US, apartments above two or three stories are required to have two separate staircases, unlike most other places where this requirement starts after six stories.
• 🏢 The need for two staircases in North American buildings reduces usable floor space, leading developers to construct larger buildings compared to their European counterparts.
• 🏗️ The strict building code regarding staircases makes it difficult to build more housing, as large buildings require assembling multiple properties.
• 🏡 Single staircase buildings can be built on smaller properties, which is beneficial for adding housing in single-family neighborhoods with limited space.
• 🚪 The requirement for two staircases limits housing variety, as most units can only fit one bedroom due to the hallway dividing the building.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 There is a shortage of family-sized apartments with three or more bedrooms, which the point access block could help address.
• 🔄 The double staircase rule originated from historical fire safety concerns, but modern fire safety has evolved to include many other preventive measures.
• 🌐 North American cities adopted strict building codes due to rapid growth and the prevalence of wooden construction, unlike the fireproof materials used in Asia and Europe.
• 🏙️ Some North American cities, like Seattle, have exemptions to the double staircase rule for smaller apartment buildings, allowing for more compact and diverse housing options.

Q & A

Why are quaint walkup apartments not commonly built in North America?

In North America, particularly in Canada and the US, building codes require all apartments above two or three stories to have access to two separate staircases for safety reasons, which discourages the construction of smaller, quaint walkup apartments.

What is a 'point access block' and how does it differ from typical North American apartment buildings?

A 'point access block' is a type of apartment building where all units share a single staircase and elevator to the ground floor. This allows for smaller, skinnier apartments compared to typical North American buildings which are often larger and have multiple staircases.

What are the implications of the requirement for two staircases in North American apartment buildings?

The requirement for two staircases takes up a lot of space, reducing the usable floor space in smaller buildings. As a result, developers construct larger buildings where the proportion of space taken by staircases and hallways is smaller relative to the overall building size.

How does the two-staircase requirement affect the ease of building more housing?

The two-staircase requirement makes it more difficult to build more housing because large buildings require larger properties, often necessitating land assembly, which is a risky and expensive process involving negotiations and legal reviews.

What challenges does the two-staircase requirement present for building family-sized apartments?

The hallway connecting the two staircases typically cuts the building in two, limiting the number of bedrooms that can be accommodated on either side of it, as most units can only fit one bedroom due to the limited window space.

Why are single staircase buildings potentially beneficial for adding more housing in single-family neighborhoods?

Single staircase buildings can be smaller and can often be built on just one property, making it easier to add more housing at scale in single-family neighborhoods where properties are already small.

What is the historical reason behind the strict fire safety regulations in North American building codes?

The strict fire safety regulations, including the double staircase rule, originated from the historical threat of city-wide fires in North America. Cities adopted robust fire safety regulations to prevent such disasters.

How have modern building codes evolved to address fire safety beyond just the double staircase rule?

Modern building codes have evolved to include regulations on the materials buildings are made from, fire doors, pressurized staircases, sprinklers, fire alarm systems, and fire extinguishers, as well as fire-resistant materials for everyday items like mattresses.

What is the current situation regarding fire deaths per capita in the US and Canada compared to the rest of the world?

Contrary to what one might expect from the strict building codes, the US and Canada do not have the fewest fire deaths per capita. Many other factors contribute to fire safety, and the success of building codes has been more about preventing fires than helping people escape them.

What are some of the potential benefits of point access block buildings for housing supply and family-sized apartments?

Point access block buildings, with their single staircase, allow for more flexible apartment layouts with multiple bedrooms and better natural ventilation due to windows on different sides of the unit.

Are there any North American cities that have exemptions to the two-staircase rule for smaller apartment buildings?

Yes, some cities like Seattle have made exemptions to the rule, allowing apartments up to six stories to have just one staircase provided they comply with other safety regulations.