A Lived Analysis of a Multigenerational House
A house shared by three generations is more than a collection of rooms. It becomes a continuous negotiation between noise and silence, presence and distance, care and independence. In such a home, architecture plays a mediating role. The plan of this house reflects this clearly. It does not divide its inhabitants rigidly, but organises space in a way that allows each generation and each gender to experience the house differently, according to their physical needs, routines, and emotional expectations.
At first glance, the house is expansive, arranged across three floors and punctured by courtyards, decks, and terraces. However, its complexity lies less in its size and more in how movement is managed. The speed and manner in which spaces are used changes depending on who occupies them. Children move freely, adults circulate deliberately, and elders tend to remain settled within defined zones.
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The ground floor forms the most stable layer of the house. It accommodates everyday activities such as meals, conversations, caregiving, and rest. For the grandparents, this level is particularly suitable. Their rooms are located close to shared spaces but remain visually and acoustically protected. Circulation is short and straightforward, reducing physical strain. There are no long corridors or unnecessary level changes. Courtyards and openings provide light and visual connection, allowing awareness of household activity without requiring constant movement.
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For the grandparents, the courtyard functions primarily as a visual and climatic space rather than a social one. It introduces light, ventilation, and openness while maintaining separation from active areas. Sitting near the courtyard allows engagement with the house without continuous participation. The ground floor therefore supports a slower, more contained pattern of living.
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Gender influences how this level is experienced. The grandmother’s routine is closely linked to the kitchen, dining, and service areas. These spaces become familiar through repetition and responsibility rather than formal ownership. The grandfather tends to occupy transitional zones such as lobbies, seating near thresholds, or edges of rooms. His presence is less task-oriented and more observational.
For the parents, the house is experienced largely as a space of responsibility and coordination. They move across zones and are rarely confined to a single area. Living and dining spaces become places of negotiation between children and elders, guests and family life, work and rest. Rather than retreating into isolated rooms, the parents occupy positions that allow oversight. Circulation paths place them naturally at points of intersection, enabling awareness without constant supervision.
The mother’s experience of the house is strongly shaped by routine and time. Her movement through space follows daily needs rather than personal retreat. Semi-open spaces such as decks and kitchen gardens become important because they provide brief pauses without removing her from domestic responsibilities.
The father’s relationship with the house is more strategic. He experiences it as an organised system rather than a set of personal spaces. His presence is established through circulation and shared areas rather than ownership of a specific room.
As one moves to the first floor, the character of the house changes. This level allows greater independence while maintaining connection. Bedrooms are private but not isolated. Lobbies and shared seating areas ensure that separation does not become detachment. Visual and acoustic connections reinforce a sense of shared presence.
For the younger generation, the house is experienced vertically. Stairs are used frequently and comfortably, allowing movement across all levels. Unlike the grandparents, who remain primarily on one floor, children occupy the entire volume of the house.
Gender further shapes perception. The brother engages with the house physically, using corridors, stairs, and open areas actively. The sister’s engagement is more selective. For her, privacy is less about physical distance and more about control over visibility and access. The house allows this difference without formally assigning spaces.
The second floor is the most private and individual layer of the house. Spaces such as the gym, home theatre, terrace, and spiritual area are oriented toward personal well-being rather than daily routine. The grandparents use this level minimally. For the parents, it functions as an occasional retreat. For the younger generation, it offers freedom from constant observation. The strength of the house lies in controlled overlap rather than strict separation. Courtyards allow visual connection without direct interaction. Decks soften the boundary between interior and exterior. Lobbies act as buffers between private and shared zones. These transitional spaces ensure that interaction remains voluntary.
As a result, the house supports coexistence without constant adjustment. Family members remain aware of one another while maintaining personal boundaries. Togetherness is possible, but not enforced.
Ultimately, the house adapts to its inhabitants rather than requiring them to adapt to it. It accommodates grandparents, parents, and children simultaneously, while recognising that age and gender influence how space is used and understood. The house functions not as a neutral container, but as a structured framework that supports multigenerational living through clarity, flexibility, and restraint.