Once you reach a certain number of stories, costs can go way up. Code requirements for fire-life-safety, vertical transportation,construction materials, etc. add to the initial and ongoing maintenance cost.
depends on the jurisdiction. 3-6 is probably the better range. But, in some jurisdictions, anything above 3 stories triggers all sorts of extra code requirements.
As a German, I understand this concept and love it. But don’t you need single-stair reform to make it work?
Courtyard blocks are attractive and possible in Europe in part because the floor plate is narrow. That’s made possible by having single-point access blocks—vs. the horrible double-loaded corridor that forces American building to be deep and prevents them from having windows in most rooms (windows only on one side).
Do you agree? Or is there a way to build this within the US International Building Code?
Also, how is the courtyard maintained and governed? Especially if the units are owner occupied. In London, these gardens in Notting Hill all have fancy trusts.
What happened to the follow-up on infill?
I am going to write it! thanks for the reminder. I'm going to publish more regularly on Substack this year.
Great! I've been thinking about this problem lately and I was sad to see you hadn't followed up yet.
>Courtyard blocks feature 3–5-story
Why so short? Should be 6 minimum, right?
Once you reach a certain number of stories, costs can go way up. Code requirements for fire-life-safety, vertical transportation,construction materials, etc. add to the initial and ongoing maintenance cost.
depends on the jurisdiction. 3-6 is probably the better range. But, in some jurisdictions, anything above 3 stories triggers all sorts of extra code requirements.
Isn't the main cost jump at 7 stories?
As a German, I understand this concept and love it. But don’t you need single-stair reform to make it work?
Courtyard blocks are attractive and possible in Europe in part because the floor plate is narrow. That’s made possible by having single-point access blocks—vs. the horrible double-loaded corridor that forces American building to be deep and prevents them from having windows in most rooms (windows only on one side).
Do you agree? Or is there a way to build this within the US International Building Code?
Also, how is the courtyard maintained and governed? Especially if the units are owner occupied. In London, these gardens in Notting Hill all have fancy trusts.