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Knowing  more        

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Catering for All Generations - Read about the challenges in designing for a changing family structure
A range of Articles, Designs, Suppliers and Home owner examples will be presented here with commentary to help provide you further insights into the value
Multi-Generational Housing could bring to your urban landscape 
ARTICLE 
How to survive in a Multigenerational house
Alice Bradely 7 April 2016

This article outlines two different situations where a Multigenerational house helped solved family dilemmas from different ends of the generational spectrum.
First a young family, juggling young children with two jobs move back to Melbourne  to their parents home which provides them the breathing space to re-establish their lives. The second story explains how a 95 year old grandfather could no longer live on his own and has since become incredibly grateful of being invited back to his sons house where he has the chance to become closer to his grandchildren
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Article
The rise of multi-generational households sees demand spike for homes with separate quarters - 
Domain - 13 Jun 2017

Article - An Alternative use.
​Giving Independence with those of special needs

How a multi-generational house may also be applicable to those on the National Disability Insurance Scheme. 
Hopefully this becomes recognized more than it currently is and the building and planning rule adjust to make this product offering more common and accepted than it currently is.
Article
Multi-generational living rising and may be to everyone's benefit. (American Society for ageing - Amy Gower Sept 2011) 

An article that explains why the trend has been increasing in 2011, why it will only increase and the challenges and benefits this arrangement offers. With an increasing global increase in average ages, the requirement for elderly care will increase and this is perhaps one of the most humane approaches in providing loved ones with the necessary care. 
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Policy - Alternative approach 

The center for public impact.

See how the Germans approach a communal Multigenerational housing solution. Although different that its a communal multigenerational  housing. The benefits being sort are much the same with research to suggest that the theory is proven

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THE DESIGNER
Austin Maynard Architects 

While the house is designed for an immediate family of five, the architects were asked to consider an arrangement that would also accommodate the extended family in coming years.
Spaces are designed to be converted, allowing for the family's grandparents to move in, and to cater to children as they grow into teenagers and young adults.

"We welcome a more complex understanding of what family means and recognise modern urban isolation, longer work days, child-care difficulties, increases in retirement costs and the inaccessibility to quality affordable housing – for not only our young, but increasingly the elderly," 

A healthy budget and large property allotment have been key ingredients in the creation of this home. If some of the planning and building code rules where amended, this arrangement and the benefits that it brings would be accessible to more. 

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THE HOME OWNER 
Design for 3 families 

This award winning project in Seoul literally takes this to the next level where the grandparents commissioned a project where there two daughters and their family could live. Connections existed between the different living quarters allowing the children to play and interact with other family members. Each family has their own living spaces but spaces are designed to share when all family members come together. 

"It's time to concentrate on the potentiality of small scale multiplex house as an alternative downtown residence and pay more attention to this healthy housing unit which concerns relationship with the city," SOSO architects. 

Hoping this thinking makes its way to Melbourne 


THE GRAND DESIGNS - A reason for change
Australia's most inspiring Multigenerational houses

This is one of many reasons why the rules need to change.
Its great to be able to build a multigernational option if you had the luxury of a large parcel of land. Yet the luxury is not afforded to us all. 

Current rules wont allow you to build a home where two living quarters are above one another. 
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The Designers 

6 of Australia's Best Multi-Gen Homes
Feb 2019
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Again we find amazing designs, but look carefully how big these homes are.  Multi-generational designs and the benefits they offer are unfortunately restricted to those who can afford them as a result of building and planning rules. 
THE DESIGNS
6 homes that reinvent multi-generational living
How to keep families together

Design is all about solving problems, and few problems are as pressing as the changing demands on domestic space. But while rising prices and scarce building sites pose a serious challenge, shifting demographics are also putting new pressures on how we live.
One solution comes from the earliest days of human habitation, a way of living that still endures in many parts of the modern world. The multigenerational home makes sense on a number of levels; by bringing different generations the same family together, it promotes togetherness, eases the complexities of childcare, saves natural resources and – done correctly – results in dynamic, flexible spaces that favour both privacy and unity. click on the image below to see some amazing examples. 
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Article - Britain believes its an answer

"..two thirds of people believed the solution to Britain’s ageing population would be to move towards multigenerational living, and yet only 16% said their current house would be suitable"
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Click on image for full story & access to report

This article seeks to outline the reason why the building industry needs to me more aware of the growing need. If only our own industry and policy makers were as  progressive and recognised the need and the benefits this would bring.

“Multigenerational living is recognised in other countries as a contributor to improved wellbeing and the more efficient use of housing stock. This report will help us to recognise these benefits as we strive to deliver a modern and relevant house-building programme within the UK.”

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The Article - Alternative approaches 

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Aged care: You don't have to end up alone or in a nursing home — there are alternatives
Another type of cohousing arrangement that makes  sense were we marry affordability of the need for aged care services, however are our homes designed to meet this changing need? If it meet good multi-generational design principals, the answer would be a resounding yes. Not to mention the likely increase of interest from younger carers if an increase focus on privacy was a priority early on in the design process. 

THE DESIGN
See the blue section that outlines the "Next Gen suite".
Not many inner city lots that are affordable could allow this design, hence why there is a need to find alternative arrangements where living quarters are over 2 - 3 floors within a typical urban context. 
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ARTICLE - Alternative Approaches 

Can Boomer make Co-housing mainstream  
CHRIS BENTLEY  JAN 20, 2015
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An American couple looks into the possibility of establishing a co-housing arrangements to assist with affordability and security as they age.

The Supplier - Dual living acceptance 

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the arrangements of different family members living in different living quarters is more common in North America, however I am not sure someone with accessibility issues can navigate all those stairs.

Article - The issues preventing Allgen-homes are universal

Hurdles to Multi-generational Living: Kitchens and Visible Second Entrances
Local restrictions limit possibilities for tailoring homes to meet needs of adult children, aging parents.
ARTICLE - Key design considerations 
Keeping it in the Family - How to design a multi-generational home
Paul Cherevall - Dec 2014

This article enforcers that multi-generational homes is on the rise and the biggest dislike (60%) of those living within them is dealing with the privacy issues. It goes on to outline other considerations that you need to consider when looking at this housing option 

The Key message is that this living option require a whole different approach to how we consider and use our spaces. This is were codes and policies should be reviewed to see if they hinder the ability to create more desirable spaces for these families to coexist rather than be fixed in an era where these are single generational households.
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THE SUPPLIER - The Builder 
MIRVAC

This living option has not escaped the organisation that has been listening closer to its customers and finding solutions for changing families. A clever idea where sections can be added over time, yet it still requires a large land lot for it work. 

The Supplier - The Global builder 

The issue of affordability and aged care as faced in Australia is also a global issue in other developed countries. The solutions are being explored overseas are therefor relevant here. 

Check the video out below to see how others perceive the benefit of these home designs, but keep an eye on the size of the land these homes need to be on to work. 
Video by Lennar homes 

ARTICLE - Older homes were built for young families 

Under one roof - Multi-generational homes big for builders 
PictureClick on the image to see the video
This article (which contains a video) explains that baby boomers were unique in that they were the first generation that left home as soon as they left high school or university and that traditional home designs suited their needs as young families. 
Times have changed today's homes are unfortunately not designed for multinational living which is a concern when you consider over  40% of households suggest that will be seeking a home that accommodates  their elderly parents or adult children.
And on list of things that are needed to make this work...
"Separate entrances are a must, then main-floor bedroom suites with private kitchenettes and living spaces, even separate outdoor spaces. The idea is that the family can live under one roof, but not entirely together"

And why do I underline the kitchen, speak to you local authority to find out why they wont allow it. 
Even though this is an american article, our generational patterns and challenges are similar.

THE SUPPLIER - The Builder
JFK Builders from Adelaide 
This builder has done its research and is seeking to differentiate  itself by providing bespoke products to suit the needs of co-generational housing 
"...when planning your new family home, think about your requirements not just for now, but in 10, 20 or even 50 years time".    
I couldn't have said it better than myself.
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ARTICLE
Why we need more multigenerational homes 
Michale Yardeny'

Even this guy looks American, it speaks Australian. It provides an investment case for the need of mulitgenertaional homes. Here are a few extracts

"The reasons why (people are moving into multigenrationl style homes ) are many and include:  high debt levels, declining housing affordability, workforce and general economic restructuring, ageing and changing demographics, rising living costs (including childcare), plus fewer fiscal government incentives. 
Very little of Australia’s current housing stock successfully caters for this market segment. Our work suggests that more housing that facilitates sharing will be needed in the future. Our modelling suggests that one in five buyers are likely to buy a purpose-built, multi-gen home sometime over the next ten year period"
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If the planning rules don't change, then I wonder what spaces these homes will offer.
Article
Extended family home: Houses designed for multi-generational living now on trend. June 2018
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MELBOURNE mums and dads are overhauling their homes to cope with kids staying at home longer as housing affordability drives a trend towards multi-generational living.
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“With the affordability of housing an issue for some, people are increasingly looking at architecture to broaden the scope of a single residence to ensure longevity for generations to come,” 
Amy Muir Australian Institute of Architects Victorian Chapter President

Article - A global approach to improve life style

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See how 7 families from around the world live in Multi generational homes.

From Sweden, Italy Moscow or New Zealand, people are making the lifestyle choice to take this option. What is of particular note worthiness is the the US family which pooled their funds together so they could  improve their lifestyle with a larger home 

THE DESIGN
A floor plan where two different groups can live but are separated by one door in the center. The grandparents in this case will live in the left hand side. This is common and allowable designs require significant lot sizes. 
Also notice the size of the footprint this design requires and that no bathrooms would meet universal design requirements.
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THE SUPPLIER  - The investment option
There is no denying that some may look at this as an opportunity to create an investment vehicle where two incomes could be obtained. DPN are Property investment company that has created a design that allows the investor to obtain two incomes.
​This should not be considered as a sufficient reason why this arrangement should not be encouraged. Not only does this provides the opportunity for a family to invest in their future in a financial means, but also a spatial one where they may seek to future proof the lifestyle of their maturing children as well as their own.

The Supplier - The Builder

Dual Income plus
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A Perth builder who supplies house designs that can cater for affordability (Owner and supporting rent),  multiple generations or an investment vehicle.  They provide a great summary of the phases in life that helps demonstrate the changes a house must go through to best meet the needs of its inhabitants. 
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ARTICLE - Solving two problems in one 
Can this app help solve the housing affordability crisis?
An award winning up that matches young people with older generations that live on their own. 

"The organisation tackles two of the biggest global housing problems: the growing affordable housing crisis making it difficult for low- to middle-income earners to rent or buy a house, and our ageing population, which will see many households headed by someone over the age of 65 by 2035 and an increase in these homeowners living alone."

Why is there such a tenancy to want to keep our generations separated?
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ARTICLE 
Why not just build a granny flat?
What you need to know before building a granny flat?
As you will find in the link, the process of a obtaining and owning a Granny flat is restricted in Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. 
Its not the ideal solution however for some its perhaps the easiest means above that of totally renovating the house. However this is really just a band-aid measure to compensate for poor future planning  within our design and planning process. If we were encouraged to design the aspects of the granny flat within our home, we wouldn't have to go through the process of taking up precious backyard space that it some cases, can only be a temporary measure which usually leads to a poor standard within such a structure 
 
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ARTICLE - Alternative Approaches
Germany's 'multigeneration houses' could solve two problems for Britain
Phillip Oltermn 2 May 2014  The Guardian

Much in the theme of a house for all generations where expertise and energy and experience can be shared for a benefit to the broader. An extract from the article

"Multigenerational houses are a key part of Germany's ageing population plan", said the report, Generation Strain. "In the years ahead, these approaches will not be a 'nice to have' but a necessity, as families will need an extra helping hand to cope with caring responsibilities and pressure grows to contain the rising public costs of health and social care."
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