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comment by kleinbl00
kleinbl00  ·  602 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Why does American multifamily architecture look so banal? Here’s one reason

    Point Access Blocks are already allowed under the International Building Code, and the Washington State Building Code allows them up to 3 stories above grade. However, Seattle modified its version of the code, allowing Point Access Blocks up to 6 stories (previously there was no height limit), and has permitted them for nearly 50 years. In order to do this, planners must meet numerous conditions including sprinklers, limitations on travel distance, fire-rated doors and assemblies, and corridors separating units and stairways.

It should follow, then, that Seattle multifamily architecture should look more like European architecture.

It does not.

It looks exactly like California architecture, like Arizona architecture, like Chicago architecture.