Chapter 3: Strategies in Designing Multi-Generational Housing (Draft Updated on 08/11/2017)

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Chapter 3: Strategies in Designing Multi-Generational Housing

Ideal living condition from the survey: 38% would want to live with family in the same house while 32% of them would want to live with their family in the different compound within the same housing area.
Chart 17 shows the ideal living condition from the targeted survey respondents.


Survey also shows that togetherness and communication are the most concern in practicing multi-generational living.
Chart 18 shows the concern of survey respondents in choosing multi-generational living.

3.1 Overall Space Planning

Ideally located within mixed landed estates.
Combining the privacy and spaciousness of landed properties.
Homes are relatively closer to each other in groupings. Larger areas of open spaces within the development forms a buffer.
Figure 8 shows the zonning diagram of the open spaces (public zone) of the proposed multi-generational living.
Gives feeling like mini villages, with a real neighbourhood vibe. (O'Donoghue, 2016)
In Islamic teachings, Prophet Muhammad taught us that neighbour includes all those up to 40 houses in all directions. (Syed, 2016)
Generally, traditional villages consists of closely-clustered houses in related kin of their own chief. They are commonly organized around religious buildings and public facilities such as mosque, schools and clinics.
Figure 9 shows the cluster arrangements in the traditional Malay kampong area which enable them to know each other very well and thus create a strong community among themselves.
Figure 10 shows the arrangement and development of Malay traditional kampong area.

Traditional lifestyle which growing plants and feeding animals for their own living. They will give excess food to their neighbours without hesitation.
During the old days, a lack of general supply such as electricity, running water and sewage system encourages the people to share the public amenities together. “Sharing is caring”, the value of give-and-take is being emphasized in typical kampong life. They know each other and lending a helping hand whenever there is a need.
Figure 11 shows the sharing and caring which are the kampong spirit through the gotong royong activities held in a Malay kampong. Everyone of them take the responsibilities beyond the sense of belongings within the community area.

 Common language between the people enable them to communicate and knowing each other.
Similarities found within the community helps one to blend into the community and give a sense of belongings.
Multi-generational housings built in independence units and organized into cluster groupings is great for participants alike. They get to make friends quickly.
Separated wisely into public zone, semi-public zone and private zone.
Public zone which is the common space is ideally to be located in the middle of the developed housing area. To give adequate access to all the participants through the connected pathways or corridors.
Figure 12 shows the sketches of public and semi-public zone and the adequate access and circulation within the area.

Traditional courtyard house, Siheyuan designed based around a courtyard. It is a compound with a courtyard enclosed by inward-facing houses on four sides. The doors and windows are opened onto the courtyard rather than the exterior.
Figure 13 shows the space planning of  traditional Chinese courtyard house which is designed based around a courtyard.

Due to the fact that the buildings are geometrically regular, the courtyard serves to be a garden offers a naturalistic vision thus fulfils the quest of yin-yang balance. (Keswick, 2003)
 
Figure 14 shows the courtyard garden in Siheyuan which fulfills the quest of yin-yang balance through the irregular shape of the natural element such as water, stone and plants.


3.1.1 Accessibility and Circulation

Located within the zoned landed and mixed landed estates.
Public transport in close proximity, the housing area is a transit-oriented development.
Separate driveways with pedestrian walkways.
Road design with each road at least 50ft wide to provide more space and privacy. The feeling of low traffic and private enclave. (NDIRA Residences at 16 Sierra, Puchong South)
Figure 15 shows the design of pedestrian walkways which is the linkage between the housing unit in NDIRA Residences at 16 Sierra, Puchong South.

Every independence unit connected with pedestrian pathways and bicycle lane to be categorized as semi-public zone. Easy access to neighbours as well as other family group.
Bicycle station with battery-operated bicycle to take the community around the housing zone. (Ridgefield Residences at Tropicana Heights, Kajang)
Figure 16 shows the bicycle station with battery operated bicycle in Ridgefield Residences at Tropicana Heights, Kajang.


3.1.2 Public Facilities and Amenities / Health and Wellness

Enjoying the convenience of condo facilities such as gym rooms, swimming pools, yoga deck and others while living in a landed property.
Recreation park and sport facilities.
Heighten ventilation and natural light exposure, as well as maximum views.
Tai Chi Lawn, Jogging tracks, Basketball and Futsal courts culminate for a full ‘Play-Learn-Bond’ experience.
Figure 17 shows the design of Tai Chi Lawn best suit with the elderly.
Figure 18 shows the design of jogging and bike track suitable for all generations.
Figure 19 shows the design of yoga deck suitable for working adults.
Figure 20 shows the design outdoor playground area best suit for family time.
Sketches of private backyard design within the housing unit which is one of the connectivity place for family bonding.

Develops facilities which meet both elders’ and children’s interests is ideal for strengthening relationship and bonding between the participants. Carry out their own activities whilst at the same time gather with friends and family members.
Childcare and senior care facilities. Capable for daytime. Converted into other purposes during the night time.
(Survey) Assess the health and welfare needs of parents.
Chart 19 shows the importance of the assess of health and welfare needs for elder parents in multi-generational living.

Healthcare services: health check, first aid and emergency.
Community stores.

3.1.3 Communal Space for Community

The private dwellings today has reduced in size in order to build more extensive facilities to attract the buyers. It is common to see a clubhouse or a community room within the typical condominium in Malaysia.
Figure 21 shows the dis-active of community area within the typical condominium in Malaysia.
(Suriamas Condominium in Bandar Sunway)

A clubhouse is typically to rent out for private parties or used for association meetings. It is limit in size and most of the time, we would find it to be empty or locked.
(Survey) Importance of integrating sense of community
Chart 20 shows the importance of integrating sense of community in housing aspects.

Cohousing is a concept revitalizing things that people once took for granted – family, community and a sense of belongings.
A place for community activities is the heart of cohousing community. The common house is the place for common dinners, children’s games on rainy days, Friday night bar, crafts workshop and numerous other organized and informal activities.
Common house opens all day and is considered to be an essential part of daily living due to the basic activities such as cooking being held almost every day in the common house.
Figure 22 shows the existing community space in cohousing concept.

Comes with spacious kitchens and pleasant dining rooms. Included children’s play area. As well as ‘pillow room’ reserved solely for romping and throwing pillows.
Extended common facilities beyond the common house provides both practical and social benefits such as a car repair garage, workshop, swimming pool and tennis court.
Replaces the needs of every single family to have space and tools to fix furniture and repair cars or bicycle. Sharing the skills and knowledge among the neighbours who had different professionalism.


3.2 Independence Unit Layout Design

Traditional courtyard house, Siheyuan was designed occasionally for the extended family system, typically with three generations.
Houses are independent for the each family group. The prime dwelling space was on the south facing building living by the senior members of the extended family.
Figure 23 shows the independence unit planned within the courtayrd area while at the same time they are connected with the corridors or pathways.

Build according to the average household sizes, ranging in size from 970 square foot to 1500 square foot. To accommodate two to three generations.
(Survey) Importance of privacy and personal boundaries; Separate and shared space
Chart 21 shows the importance of privacy and personal boundaries in multi-generational living.
Chart 22 shows the importance of separate and shared space in multi-generational living.

Independence unit connected via corridors and pathways. Covered pathways used to link the unit in related such as the participant’s unit (participant and parents) with his younger sister’s unit.
Figure 24 shows the sectional view of the connection between two separate independence unit via a sheltered pathway.
Ranging from single storey up to three storeys.
There is different units within the structure, a lower unit and an upper unit.
Offer basement parking with space for 2 cars. Easy for groceries carting and avoid from vehicle noise. Ground floor which free of cars is safer for children to play around the front yard.
Separate entrance for both units. Residents living in the upper unit able to reach home via a side of the building staircase. Avoid from disturbance to the other family group.
Figure 25 shows the separate entrances in the townhouse design in Malaysia to avoid disturbance and provide privacy.
Lower unit is ideal for elder generations as it provides wider space yet it is barrier-free meanwhile disable-friendly. Installing grab-bars.
(Survey) Importance on disability features
 
Chart 23 shows the importance of disability features in housing aspects.
Automatically open door and be light to touch. To help with the elderly who had longer reaction time in carrying out basic activities.
Easy reachable shelves and storage places helps the elderly to grab what they want in a shorter time and prevent them from falling.
Vivid contrasting colours can be used to compensate for poorer vision of the elders.
Hearing protection device comes with the latest advance in hearing aid technology. Assistive listening devices.
Installing wall-to-wall carpet and double-panel windows help muffle extraneous sounds and yet limiting the background noise.
Smoke detectors and fire alarm.

Upper unit designed as a studio unit fits well with the youngsters who require more privacy and freedom. Serves only one to two bedroom with co-working space, small kitchen and separate bathrooms.
Figure 26 shows the design of a studio apartment which can be adapted into the upper unit of the independence housing unit.
In the upper unit, private decks can be extended over the street provide every independent housing unit with a sunny, outdoor area.
Figure 27 shows the idea of small spaces to be extended to create an outdoor and sunny area within the upper unit of the independence housing unit.
Extensive use of sleeping and storage lofts.
Figure 28 shows the extensive reuse of the loft areas to be a bedroom.
In the future, rooms can be rent out for a teenager to live in or for someone who wants to work from home.

3.2.1 Multifunctional Solutions

Provide concept on the provision of flexibility as care needs and mobility changes over the lifecycle.
Lifetime Homes
(Survey) Flexibility in accommodate new circumstances.
Chart 24 shows the importance of flexibility in accommodate new circumstances in multi-generational living.
Minimised load bearing partitions by using steel frame structures. (Dividers or sliding door)
Flexible layouts that can be easily modified. Transformation of space
Multi-functional storage such as providing storage underneath the seatings.


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