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Research

Neighborhood Nibbles: Navigating Building Codes for Missing Middle Housing

Understanding the nuances between IRC and IBC for smarter, community-focused designs.


In our latest Neighborhood Nibbles session, we explored the complexities around delivering Missing Middle housing types, specifically focusing on the critical differences between residential (IRC) and multi-family (IBC) building codes. These nuances significantly impact design considerations, project costs, and overall feasibility.

Our team delved into key challenges such as structural and MEP engineering requirements, fire protection systems, and accessibility standards. We discussed how understanding these elements influences project decisions from site planning to building utilities. Real project examples like Cape Cod Catalog of Dwellings, Greybarn at Island Hills, and Millstone Road Brewster offered practical insights and showcased the strategic approaches we’ve implemented to overcome these challenges.

By unpacking the detailed requirements and implications of different building codes, Neighborhood Nibbles continues to equip our team with the knowledge and tools necessary for designing efficient, compliant, and community-oriented housing solutions.