Geode House
A Prototype for Single-Stair Housing
with Brian Lee
Geode House is a prototype for a point-access block housing organized around a single stair. The project challenges the widespread use of double-loaded corridors in multi-unit housing and creates new connections between private and communal environments. Currently, point-access blocks are not allowed in most US cities for buildings over three stories. However, cities like Seattle and New York have recently amended their codes to allow point access blocks under specific conditions, such as a maximum of six stories and no more than four units per floor. As these regulatory changes gain momentum, many other cities are considering similar revisions.
The Geode House prototype explores how these emerging regulations could catalyze new housing strategies. Unlike conventional layouts, Geode House proposes a vertical street: an open-air stair that weaves through the building, connecting units to shared outdoor spaces and community programs such as multipurpose rooms, gardens, and co-working areas. This spatial strategy transforms the stair from a utilitarian device to a place for social contact, offering a range of views, routes, and thresholds that encourage human interaction.
