Smart-Stair Designs Revolutionize Denver Housing for Affordability and Sustainability
Denver’s inaugural Single-Stair Housing competition
The recent unveiling of the winners for Denver’s inaugural Single-Stair Housing competition by Shears Adkins Rockmore (SAR) has spotlighted a new wave of housing innovation focused on affordability, sustainability, and community-centric design. This groundbreaking competition placed Smart-Stair apartments at the forefront of architectural innovation, demonstrating how these structures can significantly improve housing affordability and increase livability across urban settings.
Smart-Stair buildings—defined as residential complexes with five stories or fewer that utilize a single stairwell for access—not only bring down construction costs but also offer enhanced natural light and increased safety. The governor of Colorado, Jared Polis, underscored the relevance of these developments, noting that they align seamlessly with his 2025 State of the State goals focused on boosting housing affordability and supply in Colorado.
The competition was envisioned as a catalyst for re-evaluating the conventional Point Access Block design, a hallmark of mid-rise urban development. Participants were tasked with crafting solutions that maximize spatial efficiency, foster community interaction, and further sustainable living. The challenge was to merge density with livability and balance urbanization with environmental responsibility—critical aspects in cultivating vibrant, future-ready neighborhoods.
The winning design, "Detached Living" by Anthony Barakat and Rita Alsemaani, achieved new heights in single-stair design by emphasizing communal living and safety. By splitting the building into two independent structures connected through open, naturally lit communal hubs accented by greenery, the architects managed to maintain fire safety standards while enhancing social interaction and adaptability. This ingenuity showcases how thoughtful design can facilitate a sense of community in urban settings.
“Brick and Bloom,” which earned second place, highlights the redesigning of eco-conscious living spaces. Lisa-Marie Mélodie Deransy incorporated eco-friendly materials and bioclimatic strategies, featuring shared outdoor spaces that encourage social bonds among residents. The residence's flexible layout caters to different family structures and encourages neighborly engagement, highlighting how environmental responsibility can go hand-in-hand with community building.
The third place honoree, “Red Rocks Rising” by Page, appoached sustainable design through modular construction and adherence to Passive House principles, prioritizing energy efficiency and occupant well-being. The use of prefabricated units and natural ventilation demonstrates a shift towards buildings that are not only environmentally friendly but also cost-effective and quickly deployable—suitable traits for rapid urban expansion.
The influential designs presented in Denver’s Single-Stair Housing Challenge affirm that smart architecture is pivotal in addressing modern housing dilemmas with a lens of creativity, resilience, and environmental stewardship. Crucially, this event underscores the growing importance of legislative measures like Colorado's proposed HB25-1273, which advocates for the modernization of building codes to support the proliferation of safe, affordable housing solutions across the state.
The growing interest in Smart-Stair apartments is reflected globally, with cities worldwide recognizing that future urban planning must accommodate swelling populations without compromising on quality of life or sustainability. By fostering collaboration between architects, government officials, and communities, cities like Denver are paving the way to a future where affordability and livability coexist seamlessly. As urban landscapes continue to evolve, competitions like these point the way forward, proving that architectural innovation is crucial in shaping sustainable, inclusive, and vibrant communities.
