Last blogpost I did not really address the rear exit issue. Again, the redundancy issue is dealt with very simply if the exit stair from the second floor can also be the connecting stair between floors. Of course, here you won't want anything real grand, like a fancy Atrium. However, you can get something that will bring light to both levels. Natural light is often considered the essence of good architecture. It is worth your time and money to facilitate as much natural light as you can from as many different sides as possible.
At the rear of the house it is less expensive to add on than at the front, so a two-story addition with stair is a great way to make the connection and get the exit at ground level.
If this doesn't work in your design, because of setbacks or a different stair location, you might just abandon the rear stair* and add a deck at the rear. If you want a stair, perhaps with a deck, remember that when you lift a house the stair becomes longer. This is usually not too big a deal at the rear, but a front stair increase by even a few risers can become ungainly and out of proportion for the front facade.
One of the ways to deal with this is again with the landscape. Raise the grade to reduce the number of risers you are adding, and thereby keep the stair within proper proportions. This can also help create the differential between two Entries on the same facade, making the one behind the raised grade, or berm, more secondary.
*Codes do not require more than one exit for a residence unless you have a third story.
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