Designing Affordable Multi-Generational Housing

This is a guest post by Avi Friedman, author of Affordable Housing for Livable Cities

While getting old alone at their own home may be preferred by most seniors, it is not always feasible. Seniors may need to find alternative accommodations for personal, medical or financial reasons. Many opt to move in with family due to financial restraints or feeling more comfortable with family members around.

Multigenerational homes have been defined by The National House Building Council in the United Kingdom in three ways. First, three or more generations of the same family live under the same roof. Second, two generations of the same family live together, with children over the age of 25 who live with their parents. Third, two generations of the same family consisting of children and their elderly parents.

In the aftermath of COVID and the high mortality in seniors’ residences couple with high cost, the multi-generational home has been rapidly gaining popularity. To design a multi-generational home that encourages harmony and reduces conflict between occupants, designers and builders must account for sufficient privacy, retained feelings of independence, minimal crowding, territorial conflict and personal space.

There are four types of multi-generational housing. First, side-by-side living refers to homes with the same façade and exterior walls without internal connection between the adjacent units. Side-by-side living can be done through row housing or semi-detached units. In either case, the elderly person maintains independence and privacy as they can occupy a home independently. However, their family is always next door in case help in performing a task is called for or if they simply need to socialise. Second, plex houses refer to homes where each residence is stacked on top of each other into either a duplex or triplex unit. Third, accessory apartments refer to units with two separate households underneath one roof.

Finally, the garden suite refers to a smaller unit that is on the same property as the main unit. The goal is to create a home where seniors can maintain independence yet have proximity to their families if needed. The space can also be used by adult children or other tenants, depending on the preferences of the main home dwellers. The units can be placed in multiple configurations, allowing for clusters of Back Garden Homes to form. If backyard fences are taken down, interactions between the residents can be introduced, and the risk of social isolation will decrease.

In Seattle, Best Practice Architecture has ingeniously transformed a backyard garage into the Granny Pad, a 53 m2 (571 ft2) detached dwelling designed for multigenerational living. This project addresses the critical issues of urban density and the need for affordable housing solutions within the family unit.

Granny Pad is characterised by its open, loft-like layout that maximises the small footprint without sacrificing functionality or aesthetic appeal. The design team focused on creating a single-level living area to accommodate decreased mobility, avoiding the segmentation into smaller rooms. The space features high ceilings with exposed rafters and is flooded with natural light from strategically placed windows and skylights. The original garage door was replaced with an entrance that leads into a combined kitchen and sitting room, seamlessly flowing into a bedroom, a closet with laundry facilities and a bathroom. Above the bathroom, a lofted space – accessible via ladder – offers additional storage and the potential for future use as an office or sleeping area.

Recognising the natural topography of the site, which includes a 1.83 m (6 ft) elevation change, Best Practice Architecture designed the Granny Pad to integrate into the hillside. It also enhances the dwelling’s privacy and insulation. The addition of a private back deck connects the living space to the outdoors, providing a serene area for relaxation and family interaction.

Granny Pad meets the immediate needs of the ageing family member, and it is a versatile space that can potentially serve as a rental unit, studio or home office, thereby adding long-term value to the property. This forward-thinking approach ensures that the space can adapt to the evolving needs of the family and potentially generate additional income.

Avi Friedman is an architect, professor, author and social observer. His latest book Affordable Housing for Livable Cities co-authored with Genessa Bates was published by Anthem Press.