Act Three - Establishing the Narrative III.III Who Lives Here?

The idea of multi-generational living is often considered as part of non-British cultures like in Islamic and Asian cultures, however when explored in a historical context the idea of generations living together is woven into the nation’s cultural fabric. Historically wealthier families lived together within estates, while working class people often stayed within the towns they were born, living a few doors down from their parents. The advantages to multi-generational living extend beyond the immediate family, with older people offering child support in return for care and assistance and company.

Young people benefit from a sense of community and stability and young and establishing families can learn from and connect with more established family units and rely upon each other for support.

Generations by Julian Germain captures the beauty and novelty of generations supporting each other and emulates what the proposed scheme aspires to achieve.

I was inspired by the organised and rhythmic architectural style of the twelve houses in Malmö. The rectilinear form and planning grid allows the houses to be easily adapted and extended in the future, key for multi-generational living as the families grow and transition between generations.

The small urban block in a former industrial area in Malmö, mirrors the size and density of the proposed scheme. The individual units are rationalised into a 3x3 grid focused around a central staircase and ancillary core, housing plumbing for bathroom and utilities and axes for circulation.

The houses simple internal structure translates well into the proposed scheme, with the intention for the stacked units to be linked vertically if needed and also separated to be individual units. The units must therefore align vertically and a structured and simplified grid allows for this.