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 
Article
|
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. 
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 builderThe 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 Click 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. 
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" If the planning rules don't change, then I wonder what spaces these homes will offer. Article
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 BuilderDual Income plus
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. 
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? 
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 
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." 
|
