Multi-generational homes are increasingly becoming a trend and are highly recommended by residential architects in Singapore. In fact, based on a report by Channel NewsAsia in 2016, around 10% of all households in the country are comprised of homes made up of three or more generations under a single roof. There are actually numerous benefits that convince people to live in a multi-generational home.

For one, multigenerational living enables people to pay less in bills than they would if they lived separately or individually. Moreover, multi-generational houses provide families with great flexibility. However, when it comes to designing this type of home, there are a few pieces of advice that you need to keep in mind. Below, we enumerate some of the best tips and tricks for designing an incredible multi-generational home.

 

Make accessibility a top priority

Inclusive design should always be adhered to when it comes to multi-generational houses. Even if your grandparents can still move around easily today, thinking ahead can help avoid growing pains and bigger expenses in the future. As such, you should make it a priority to create wheelchair-accessible spaces that are convenient for older family members.

The areas where accessibility is necessary to include is the kitchen, bedrooms, and bathrooms. The main floor, especially, should be designed in a way that both older adults and younger children can get around easily, as you can see in the House of Greens. 

 

Utilise every inch

When there are multiple families or generations living in the same house, you are essentially going to need all the space that you can get. Making use of every inch of space you have available will definitely help make your home feel larger and cosier. This is especially important if you are dealing with a small space and are trying to fit a bunch of people into it.

For inspiration, you can consider converting some of the less-used areas of the house, such as the basement and the attic. At The Perforated House, the attic is transformed into another communal space for socialising and a designated hobby room. 

 

Build a large entrance 

If you are looking to build a new home or remodel an existing one to make it multi-generation in nature, one of the essential things you can do is to build a wide entrance to your house. Not only will this minimise chaos and traffic throughout the day, but it can also give off the illusion that your house is bigger and more spacious.

At Seaside House, we have deliberately widened the entrance, blending the outdoor landscape courtyard and main living space together. This brings the natural environment and lighting into the home, as well as meeting the needs of a multi-tier family.

 

Provide private spaces 

Although multi-generational houses are great for gathering everyone under one roof, it is important to create some private spaces for each individual that lives there. At the end of the day, no matter how family-oriented or extroverted a person is, they still need some time alone every now and then. Taking time for oneself is essentially a great way to reset the mind and the body.

Therefore, when designing a multi-generational home, do not forget to set aside some private spaces for everyone. Whether that means having a separate living room altogether or simply creating a bedroom space for every person in the house, it is necessary that you provide a sense of privacy to everyone as much as possible. 

 

Conclusion

Designing a multi-generational home requires you to take into account a number of factors, such as accessibility, space, and privacy. It is not easy to live under the same roof with two or more families or generations. As such, it is very important to put a lot of thought into designing your multi-generational home to ensure that it addresses the needs of every person living there.

Dedicated and seasoned architects can help you come up with the ideal residential architecture design that meets your family’s needs. If you are looking to build a multi-generational home from the ground up, you can get started by seeking the advice of an architecture company in Singapore.