Designing for Connection: Intergenerational Living and Shared Spaces
What was once a cultural norm is becoming a practical solution. Shared living is gaining traction as families seek affordability and connection.
WORDS Elissa Rose
For centuries, multigenerational living has been a natural part of everyday life in many cultures around the world. In countries such as India, China and Italy, it’s common for grandparents, parents and children to share a home, pooling resources and responsibilities while nurturing close family ties. In these contexts, family often extends beyond the nuclear unit, encompassing wider networks built around shared care and mutual support. Latin American cultures also have a long-standing tradition of multigenerational households. In the United States, around 32 percent of Latino households already live this way, shaped by patterns of immigration, financial realities, and a strong sense of cultural continuity.
For many families, sharing a home offers both practical support and a way to stay closely connected. By contrast, Western societies have historically placed greater value on privacy and independence, often viewing single-family living as the ideal. Yet this is beginning to shift. Rising housing costs, economic pressures and a renewed desire for closer family relationships are prompting many, particularly in the United States, to reconsider the role of intergenerational living in contemporary life.
An ADU in Altadena, California designed by Yan M Wang of Cover Architecture for his mother and partner. Photo courtesy of Leonid Furmansky
 Photo courtesy of Leonid Furmansky |
 Photo courtesy of Leonid Furmansky |
A Global Perspective on Intergenerational Living
In many parts of the world, extended families living together is not only practical, it is deeply rooted in culture. In Japan, for example, the concept of oyako, or parent and child, often naturally extends to include grandparents, who may play an active role in childcare and the day-to-day running of the household. Across Mediterranean cultures, family homes are similarly shaped by the presence of multiple generations, with shared meals and collective responsibilities forming an integral part of everyday life.
These living arrangements often reflect a shared commitment to caring for older generations while supporting children within a close, nurturing environment. Family bonds are reinforced not through occasional gatherings, but through the everyday rhythm of life lived together. By contrast, many Western societies have historically placed greater emphasis on independence and self-reliance, favoring nuclear family structures that, for some, can feel less connected. Research has suggested that higher levels of individualism may be associated with lower personal wellbeing, although the findings are nuanced.
"Research has suggested that higher levels of individualism may be associated with lower personal wellbeing."
The Western Shift Toward Intergenerational Living
While nuclear families remain common in many Western countries, shifting economic realities are leading more households to explore intergenerational living. In the United States, rising housing costs, student debt and slower wage growth can make independent living more difficult for younger adults, while aging parents may also benefit from additional support. Together, these dynamics are encouraging families to consider living arrangements that bring generations closer.
One increasingly popular option is the use of accessory dwelling units (ADUs), often referred to as “in-law suites.” These compact, self-contained spaces sit on the same property as a main home, offering a sense of independence while allowing family members to remain nearby. In many ways, ADUs reflect a thoughtful balance between togetherness and the Western value placed on personal space.
Studio TBo designed an extension on a Brooklyn townhouse that could accommodate a multi-generational family. Photo courtesy of Matthew Williams
 Photo courtesy of Matthew Williams |
 Photo courtesy of Matthew Williams |
Balancing Privacy and Connection
For many Western families, privacy remains an important consideration when exploring intergenerational living. While some cultures are more accustomed to collective ways of sharing space, Western households often place a high value on personal space and autonomy. Designing homes that support multiple generations therefore involves finding a thoughtful balance between areas for coming together and spaces that allow for privacy and independence.
Architects and designers are stepping up with innovative solutions:
- Flexible Floor Plans: Adaptable layouts create distinct living areas while preserving communal spaces for gatherings.
- Separate Entrances: Many ADUs and multi-generational homes include separate entrances to enhance privacy.
- Soundproofing: Enhanced insulation ensures that each generation can maintain their own routines without disruption.
- Shared Amenities: Spaces like kitchens, living rooms and outdoor areas encourage connection while respecting boundaries.
These thoughtful designs cater to the needs of both younger and older generations, making intergenerational living more feasible and harmonious.
Home in Melbourne, Australia designed by Austin Maynard Architects with areas that can be converted over time allowing space for grandparents to move in. Photo courtesy of Peter Bennetts Studio
The Benefits of Intergenerational Living
The benefits of intergenerational living often reach well beyond financial considerations. For aging parents, sharing a home can provide emotional connection, companionship and gentle support with day-to-day tasks. Young adults may find greater financial flexibility, alongside the reassurance that comes from shared experience and guidance. Children, too, can flourish in these settings, where grandparents often play a meaningful role as caregivers and steady presences in everyday life.
Research also points to the mental health benefits that can come from intergenerational connection. A study conducted in India found that older adults often report lower levels of loneliness and depression when living alongside family, while younger household members can develop a stronger sense of identity and purpose. These shared living arrangements can also support the continuity of cultural traditions, allowing stories and customs to be passed down in a more organic, everyday way.
Navigating Challenges
Naturally, sharing a home across generations can come with its own set of challenges. Differences in routines, preferences and expectations may occasionally create friction. Open communication and a spirit of mutual respect play an important role in supporting a more harmonious household, while clear boundaries and access to personal space can help everyone feel comfortable and understood.
There are also practical considerations to take into account. Adapting a home to accommodate additional family members, or adding an ADU, requires thoughtful planning and financial commitment. Families may also need to navigate zoning requirements and local regulations, which can differ from place to place. Approached carefully, however, these challenges can become part of a longer-term investment in shared living and connection.
Dorschner Kalh Architects and Heine Mildner Architects designed a multi-generational housing project in Germany set around a communal garden. Photo courtesy of Philip Heckhausen
Designing for the Future
As intergenerational living becomes more common in the US, architects, developers and policymakers are adapting. Innovative housing designs and zoning reforms are making it easier for families to embrace these living arrangements. NYC’s One Flushing is a notable success story, with 66 units of this project reserved for senior residents. This development deliberately serves mixed ages and offers social services and community amenities.
Across the country, California has passed legislation to simplify the construction of ADUs, addressing both housing shortages and the growing demand for multi-generational homes. Other states and cities are following suit, recognizing the social and economic benefits of intergenerational living.
A Cultural Shift in Progress
The renewed interest in intergenerational living across Western societies reflects a wider cultural shift. More families are reconsidering what it means to live together, finding ways to value connection and community alongside long-held ideals of privacy and independence. This evolving perspective encourages us to think differently about how homes are designed and how family life is shaped in the 21st century. Through thoughtful, adaptable design, families can create spaces that respect individual needs while nurturing shared bonds. In doing so, they draw on a global tradition that has endured for generations, reinterpreting it to suit the realities of contemporary life.
A family in one of the Blue Zones, Okinawa, Japan. Photo courtesy of Blue Zones
Feature Image: Schwartz and Architecture designed an ADU in Sonoma, California. Photo courtesy of Bruce Damonte
Photography: Leonid Furmansky, Matthew Williams, Peter Bennetts Studio, Philip Heckhausen, Blue Zones
