Bryn Davidson - Lanefab
@lanefab.com
Vancouver, BC
Co-owner & Lead Designer
Lanefab Design/Build
Oori Architecture
B.Eng M.Arch
Build beautiful.
Build for a livable climate.
www.Lanefab.com
#ThickWallsAreSexy / #SingleStair #ElectrifyEverything / #Passivhaus #NetPositive
Co-owner & Lead Designer
Lanefab Design/Build
Oori Architecture
B.Eng M.Arch
Build beautiful.
Build for a livable climate.
www.Lanefab.com
#ThickWallsAreSexy / #SingleStair #ElectrifyEverything / #Passivhaus #NetPositive
Pinned
Bryn Davidson - Lanefab
@lanefab.com
· Nov 22
A short thread on going beyond #NetZero to build projects that are #NetPositive
First, I like to talk about "Projects" vs "Buildings".
It's an important distinction, because its not just about the physical artifact, but also:
where it is located?
what does it replace?
First, I like to talk about "Projects" vs "Buildings".
It's an important distinction, because its not just about the physical artifact, but also:
where it is located?
what does it replace?
Working on a triplex lane house interior. Compact, but making the most of the corner lot location by opening up to the lane and street.
(This is one of the projects we needed to redesign to comply with updated BC hydro clearances)
(This is one of the projects we needed to redesign to comply with updated BC hydro clearances)
January 12, 2026 at 9:39 PM
Working on a triplex lane house interior. Compact, but making the most of the corner lot location by opening up to the lane and street.
(This is one of the projects we needed to redesign to comply with updated BC hydro clearances)
(This is one of the projects we needed to redesign to comply with updated BC hydro clearances)
cc @rebeccaleebligh.bsky.social @wazaroff.bsky.social @kareem42.bsky.social
3 Legs of the stool needed to unlock our sustainable and accessible future city:
✅ Single Stair Building Codes
◻️ Small Lot Apartment Zoning
◻️ Affordable Elevators
@sightline.org @uytaelee.bsky.social
3 Legs of the stool needed to unlock our sustainable and accessible future city:
✅ Single Stair Building Codes
◻️ Small Lot Apartment Zoning
◻️ Affordable Elevators
@sightline.org @uytaelee.bsky.social
The United States has the fewest elevators in the rich world, with Canada only a bit ahead. We teamed up with @uytaelee.bsky.social of About Here Videos to investigate why, exactly, North America sucks at elevators.
January 12, 2026 at 5:21 PM
Update: we’ve had a project canceled due to the recent zoning changes that restrict what size lane house can go behind an existing single family home
holy @!#
It looks like the final adopted update to Burnaby's R1 zoning is really bad.
The allowable footprint area for a house and LWH is now capped at either 30% or 40% of the lot.
This change appears to kill the current design for one of our projects, and the housing library designs.
It looks like the final adopted update to Burnaby's R1 zoning is really bad.
The allowable footprint area for a house and LWH is now capped at either 30% or 40% of the lot.
This change appears to kill the current design for one of our projects, and the housing library designs.
January 12, 2026 at 4:40 PM
Update: we’ve had a project canceled due to the recent zoning changes that restrict what size lane house can go behind an existing single family home
Also:
Every n’hood needs to be zoned to allow sub $1m homes to be built.
This means allowing enough density (with few enough permitting hoops) to make it pencil.
Every n’hood needs to be zoned to allow sub $1m homes to be built.
This means allowing enough density (with few enough permitting hoops) to make it pencil.
If the worst single-family house in your n’hood costs over $1 million, then your n’hood should be zoned for apartment buildings.
(It’s pretty much that simple)
(It’s pretty much that simple)
January 12, 2026 at 4:21 PM
Also:
Every n’hood needs to be zoned to allow sub $1m homes to be built.
This means allowing enough density (with few enough permitting hoops) to make it pencil.
Every n’hood needs to be zoned to allow sub $1m homes to be built.
This means allowing enough density (with few enough permitting hoops) to make it pencil.
Reposted by Bryn Davidson - Lanefab
cc @rebeccaleebligh.bsky.social @wazaroff.bsky.social @kareem42.bsky.social
3 Legs of the stool needed to unlock our sustainable and accessible future city:
✅ Single Stair Building Codes
◻️ Small Lot Apartment Zoning
◻️ Affordable Elevators
@sightline.org @uytaelee.bsky.social
3 Legs of the stool needed to unlock our sustainable and accessible future city:
✅ Single Stair Building Codes
◻️ Small Lot Apartment Zoning
◻️ Affordable Elevators
@sightline.org @uytaelee.bsky.social
The United States has the fewest elevators in the rich world, with Canada only a bit ahead. We teamed up with @uytaelee.bsky.social of About Here Videos to investigate why, exactly, North America sucks at elevators.
North America's Elevator Problem
YouTube video by About Here
youtu.be
January 12, 2026 at 12:08 AM
cc @rebeccaleebligh.bsky.social @wazaroff.bsky.social @kareem42.bsky.social
3 Legs of the stool needed to unlock our sustainable and accessible future city:
✅ Single Stair Building Codes
◻️ Small Lot Apartment Zoning
◻️ Affordable Elevators
@sightline.org @uytaelee.bsky.social
3 Legs of the stool needed to unlock our sustainable and accessible future city:
✅ Single Stair Building Codes
◻️ Small Lot Apartment Zoning
◻️ Affordable Elevators
@sightline.org @uytaelee.bsky.social
cc @rebeccaleebligh.bsky.social @wazaroff.bsky.social @kareem42.bsky.social
3 Legs of the stool needed to unlock our sustainable and accessible future city:
✅ Single Stair Building Codes
◻️ Small Lot Apartment Zoning
◻️ Affordable Elevators
@sightline.org @uytaelee.bsky.social
3 Legs of the stool needed to unlock our sustainable and accessible future city:
✅ Single Stair Building Codes
◻️ Small Lot Apartment Zoning
◻️ Affordable Elevators
@sightline.org @uytaelee.bsky.social
The United States has the fewest elevators in the rich world, with Canada only a bit ahead. We teamed up with @uytaelee.bsky.social of About Here Videos to investigate why, exactly, North America sucks at elevators.
North America's Elevator Problem
YouTube video by About Here
youtu.be
January 12, 2026 at 12:08 AM
cc @rebeccaleebligh.bsky.social @wazaroff.bsky.social @kareem42.bsky.social
3 Legs of the stool needed to unlock our sustainable and accessible future city:
✅ Single Stair Building Codes
◻️ Small Lot Apartment Zoning
◻️ Affordable Elevators
@sightline.org @uytaelee.bsky.social
3 Legs of the stool needed to unlock our sustainable and accessible future city:
✅ Single Stair Building Codes
◻️ Small Lot Apartment Zoning
◻️ Affordable Elevators
@sightline.org @uytaelee.bsky.social
@sightline.org and @uytaelee.bsky.social together at last!
The United States has the fewest elevators in the rich world, with Canada only a bit ahead. We teamed up with @uytaelee.bsky.social of About Here Videos to investigate why, exactly, North America sucks at elevators.
North America's Elevator Problem
YouTube video by About Here
youtu.be
January 11, 2026 at 11:45 PM
@sightline.org and @uytaelee.bsky.social together at last!
Despite a lurch toward fossil fuels in the U.S., the rapid growth of #CleanEnergy worldwide was still @science.org's 2025 Breakthrough of the Year. Much of that progress was due to plummeting costs for #solar, #wind and battery storage.
Read more 👇 buff.ly/cvjjWKX
Read more 👇 buff.ly/cvjjWKX
January 11, 2026 at 5:22 AM
In the ‘hood
Come say hi! I'll be at The Lido tomorrow, Sunday Jan 11, from 3-5pm. More information and RSVP here: www.williamforvancouver.ca/meet_william...
Meet William Azaroff
I'm seeking the mayoral nomination with OneCity
www.williamforvancouver.ca
January 10, 2026 at 4:53 PM
In the ‘hood
Interesting research on building age and demolition - covered by @amypeacock.bsky.social @dezeen.com
www.dezeen.com/2026/01/08/d...
www.dezeen.com/2026/01/08/d...
Demolished buildings 16 years older in US than in Europe, report finds
Researchers have found that buildings demolished during the 21st century in European cities had a shorter lifespan than those in US cities.
www.dezeen.com
January 9, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Interesting research on building age and demolition - covered by @amypeacock.bsky.social @dezeen.com
www.dezeen.com/2026/01/08/d...
www.dezeen.com/2026/01/08/d...
💪
Just left the House floor after we passed my bill to extend the health care tax credits for three more years!!
January 9, 2026 at 3:42 PM
💪
👍🏻
A golf course next to the Fraser River in northeast Metro Vancouver will be transformed into a public park with sport and playing fields.
It is part of the City of Maple Ridge's strategy to build a new major aquatic & community centre. #vanpoli #vanre
dailyhive.com/vancouver/ma...
It is part of the City of Maple Ridge's strategy to build a new major aquatic & community centre. #vanpoli #vanre
dailyhive.com/vancouver/ma...
Metro Vancouver golf course to become a park as new aquatic centre advances | Urbanized
Maple Ridge Golf Course will be transformed into a public park with outdoor recreational uses, as part of a broader new aquatic centre plan.
dailyhive.com
January 8, 2026 at 9:51 PM
👍🏻
Net zero duplex concept for a small sloping site
January 8, 2026 at 12:09 AM
Net zero duplex concept for a small sloping site
New build starting: A passive house 4 plex for M.Lemon Architects
Another existing gas meter removed, to be replaced by efficient electric homes.
Another existing gas meter removed, to be replaced by efficient electric homes.
January 7, 2026 at 1:34 AM
New build starting: A passive house 4 plex for M.Lemon Architects
Another existing gas meter removed, to be replaced by efficient electric homes.
Another existing gas meter removed, to be replaced by efficient electric homes.
Evolving from single family lots (50x122) to euro style perimeter blocks using small lot single stair buildings at 2 or 3FSR.
January 6, 2026 at 6:50 PM
Evolving from single family lots (50x122) to euro style perimeter blocks using small lot single stair buildings at 2 or 3FSR.
We need to stop using the term “mature neighbourhood” to describe these places.
They’re not mature - they’ve been artificially stopped from maturing.
They’re not mature - they’ve been artificially stopped from maturing.
If the worst single-family house in your n’hood costs over $1 million, then your n’hood should be zoned for apartment buildings.
(It’s pretty much that simple)
(It’s pretty much that simple)
January 6, 2026 at 3:44 PM
We need to stop using the term “mature neighbourhood” to describe these places.
They’re not mature - they’ve been artificially stopped from maturing.
They’re not mature - they’ve been artificially stopped from maturing.
Vancouver’s very own single-core-stair the “scissor stair” is coming to more cities across North America.
BUILDING CODE NERD ALERT!
WA's scissor stair bill just dropped, HB 2228:
app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?...
You know all those elegant skinny towers in Vancouver, BC? Part of why they're common is that scissor stairs make small floor plates more feasible.
Why not here? Why not everywhere?
WA's scissor stair bill just dropped, HB 2228:
app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?...
You know all those elegant skinny towers in Vancouver, BC? Part of why they're common is that scissor stairs make small floor plates more feasible.
Why not here? Why not everywhere?
HB 2228 Washington State Legislature
app.leg.wa.gov
January 6, 2026 at 2:40 AM
Vancouver’s very own single-core-stair the “scissor stair” is coming to more cities across North America.
Minnesota has released it's #SingleStair report
www.dli.mn.gov/sites/defaul...
129 pages of fire safety modelling, but my takeaway:
1. Well maintained sprinklers are important
2. Number of stairs isn't important
3. Hallways are the problem (and current code allows for crazy long hallways)
www.dli.mn.gov/sites/defaul...
129 pages of fire safety modelling, but my takeaway:
1. Well maintained sprinklers are important
2. Number of stairs isn't important
3. Hallways are the problem (and current code allows for crazy long hallways)
www.dli.mn.gov
January 5, 2026 at 11:27 PM
Minnesota has released it's #SingleStair report
www.dli.mn.gov/sites/defaul...
129 pages of fire safety modelling, but my takeaway:
1. Well maintained sprinklers are important
2. Number of stairs isn't important
3. Hallways are the problem (and current code allows for crazy long hallways)
www.dli.mn.gov/sites/defaul...
129 pages of fire safety modelling, but my takeaway:
1. Well maintained sprinklers are important
2. Number of stairs isn't important
3. Hallways are the problem (and current code allows for crazy long hallways)
Have to say I’m liking the Gemini ai tool for quickly analyzing ideas and sites.
January 5, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Have to say I’m liking the Gemini ai tool for quickly analyzing ideas and sites.
In the greater Vancouver region and East Van we crossed this threshold 10 years ago.
On Vancouver’s west side it has been 20 years.
This is one of many reasons why a provincial override of local zoning was needed.
Local city govs would happily pump money into detached home values forever.
On Vancouver’s west side it has been 20 years.
This is one of many reasons why a provincial override of local zoning was needed.
Local city govs would happily pump money into detached home values forever.
If the worst single-family house in your n’hood costs over $1 million, then your n’hood should be zoned for apartment buildings.
(It’s pretty much that simple)
(It’s pretty much that simple)
December 29, 2025 at 4:55 PM
In the greater Vancouver region and East Van we crossed this threshold 10 years ago.
On Vancouver’s west side it has been 20 years.
This is one of many reasons why a provincial override of local zoning was needed.
Local city govs would happily pump money into detached home values forever.
On Vancouver’s west side it has been 20 years.
This is one of many reasons why a provincial override of local zoning was needed.
Local city govs would happily pump money into detached home values forever.
In Vancouver we have a generation of planners who did good work stopping freeways, densifying downtown, and rebuilding industrial sites
…but they’ve been wholly silent about their role perpetuating exclusionary single family zoning amidst an extraordinary land value bubble.
This is “Vancouverism”
…but they’ve been wholly silent about their role perpetuating exclusionary single family zoning amidst an extraordinary land value bubble.
This is “Vancouverism”
If the worst single-family house in your n’hood costs over $1 million, then your n’hood should be zoned for apartment buildings.
(It’s pretty much that simple)
(It’s pretty much that simple)
December 28, 2025 at 12:29 PM
In Vancouver we have a generation of planners who did good work stopping freeways, densifying downtown, and rebuilding industrial sites
…but they’ve been wholly silent about their role perpetuating exclusionary single family zoning amidst an extraordinary land value bubble.
This is “Vancouverism”
…but they’ve been wholly silent about their role perpetuating exclusionary single family zoning amidst an extraordinary land value bubble.
This is “Vancouverism”
Reposted by Bryn Davidson - Lanefab
If the worst single-family house in your n’hood costs over $1 million, then your n’hood should be zoned for apartment buildings.
(It’s pretty much that simple)
(It’s pretty much that simple)
December 17, 2025 at 9:50 PM
If the worst single-family house in your n’hood costs over $1 million, then your n’hood should be zoned for apartment buildings.
(It’s pretty much that simple)
(It’s pretty much that simple)