Broadway Hinge Central
Single-Stair Housing Design | 2025
Team Competition Finalist
Professional Work: bma
Single-Stair Housing Design | 2025
Team Competition Finalist
Professional Work: bma
Broadway Hinge Central is a response
to the passed (2024) single-stair code
adoption in Knoxville, Tennessee. This
initiative aims to provide a housing
model for missing middle housing,
simplify the relationship of circulation to
units and create healthier, denser and more diverse urban conditions. These
opportunities come from the typology
being considerably less costly and
more efficient than typical multi-family
housing developments. By eliminating
the additional exit hallway space of typical
multi-family buildings, the unit layouts
become more flexible, there can be
more bedrooms, multiple faces become
available for light and ventilation to
penetrated the spaces. The opportunity
for smaller footprint and tighter, urban
infill lots to be utilized in a meaningful
way also presents itself.
Concept & Form Finding:
A prominent intersection can behave as a hinge upon which the daily life of a city rotates. This design promotes connection between the city, public, and private by activating the intersection between two major streets. Two residential masses are pulled to each edge of the site allowing as much space between them as possible for public engagement, a configuration made available by the single-stair ordinance.
Commercial space connects the ground level of the apartment buildings, creating a plaza where occupants and visitors are encouraged to travel through the block. The plaza level is concrete structure clad in brick, while the upper levels are primarily mass timber structure clad with weathering steel panels.
Concept & Form Finding:
A prominent intersection can behave as a hinge upon which the daily life of a city rotates. This design promotes connection between the city, public, and private by activating the intersection between two major streets. Two residential masses are pulled to each edge of the site allowing as much space between them as possible for public engagement, a configuration made available by the single-stair ordinance.
Commercial space connects the ground level of the apartment buildings, creating a plaza where occupants and visitors are encouraged to travel through the block. The plaza level is concrete structure clad in brick, while the upper levels are primarily mass timber structure clad with weathering steel panels.
Design Intent:
There is an intermixing of residential unit sizes to accommodate economic variety. Timber materials and natural light access not only provide psychological benefits but allows the space to light and airy. The warm materials palette allows individuals to be more comfortable and grounded in their home, while still bringing modern aesthetics and clean lines into the space.
Exposing the structural timber and incorporating brick from the exterior onto the interior, keeps the spaces grounded to the site, and it creates visual and sensorial tactility. In two-bedroom units on each floor, there is metal mesh brise soleil to allow for natural airflow throughout the space. The southernmost units on each floor of the south building, and the northernmost units on each floor of the north building, include an open balcony along with the brise soleil. This provides the units with the opportunity for natural air to cross ventilate the living space.
There is an intermixing of residential unit sizes to accommodate economic variety. Timber materials and natural light access not only provide psychological benefits but allows the space to light and airy. The warm materials palette allows individuals to be more comfortable and grounded in their home, while still bringing modern aesthetics and clean lines into the space.
Exposing the structural timber and incorporating brick from the exterior onto the interior, keeps the spaces grounded to the site, and it creates visual and sensorial tactility. In two-bedroom units on each floor, there is metal mesh brise soleil to allow for natural airflow throughout the space. The southernmost units on each floor of the south building, and the northernmost units on each floor of the north building, include an open balcony along with the brise soleil. This provides the units with the opportunity for natural air to cross ventilate the living space.
Grounding & Stability:
The intersection of the public and private realm enhances community stability. This is accomplished through creating an elevated plaza and park space. Open green spaces promote mental and physical well-being. Open, visible stairs promote physical activity. Timber materials and natural light access provide psychological benefits. Using regionally available materials, timber and brick, promotes environmental stewardship.
Inclusion of vegetated roofs and permeable pavers reduce storm water runoff. Rainwater harvesting reduces water demand for the site. Incorporating indigenous plants supports biodiversity. By programming the site with mixed-use buildings, income stream variety is maximized. The photovoltaic rooftop array provides 56,420 kWh/ year. Green roofs provide a high insulation value. The mass timber structure saves 1,252 metric tons of carbon dioxide.
The intersection of the public and private realm enhances community stability. This is accomplished through creating an elevated plaza and park space. Open green spaces promote mental and physical well-being. Open, visible stairs promote physical activity. Timber materials and natural light access provide psychological benefits. Using regionally available materials, timber and brick, promotes environmental stewardship.
Inclusion of vegetated roofs and permeable pavers reduce storm water runoff. Rainwater harvesting reduces water demand for the site. Incorporating indigenous plants supports biodiversity. By programming the site with mixed-use buildings, income stream variety is maximized. The photovoltaic rooftop array provides 56,420 kWh/ year. Green roofs provide a high insulation value. The mass timber structure saves 1,252 metric tons of carbon dioxide.
Attitude Altitude Retention Specialist:
¹ a master of retaining a high level of enthusiasm and purpose.
² to keep each other fueled and excited, to be able to achieve limitless, purposeful objectives.
³ your attitude will always define your altitude.
Empathy
Integrity
Excellence
Life-Long Learning