The importance of family is paramount in Hawaiian culture. When you have multiple generations living under one roof, though, it takes a creative floor plan to create a balance between community and privacy. With the assistance of an experienced architect, here are some ways to make the most of a multi-generational home.
To reinforce that ohana mentality in a multi-generational home, an architect will create a central gathering space that should have plenty of room for everyone. To make this design concept come to life, you can typically house the kitchen, dining room, and living room in a single massive space at a central location in the house. A vast area like this can not only hold the whole family for potlucks or celebrations, but it also fosters communication that would otherwise be interrupted by the confines of separate, walled rooms.
The room is subdivided by design cues rather than walls, like overhead lighting or placement of rugs to establish designated areas. An architect can define a dining table's placement, for example, by installing a chandelier where it's intended to go. Kitchen islands are also a popular choice for more seats. The area can even extend to an adjacent outdoor patio through the use of sliding doors, complete with ample seating.
For elder members of the family, accessibility is a paramount concern in the design process. While they may not need it now, accessible choices such as wider doorways to accommodate wheelchairs can make a crucial difference down the road.
As far as an in-law suite is concerned, an architect will likely place it on the main level of the house, so a flight of stairs isn't necessary to access it. An en suite bathroom should have accessible features like grab bars, shower seating, and level-entry showers that don't require stepping over a ledge to get in and out. You should also prioritize non-slip flooring, particularly in the bathroom.
In the kitchen, incorporate ample storage that has accessible elements. Lazy Susans can be a functional design element in cabinets, for example, that help you to easily retrieve items. Adequate storage should carry throughout the home so that toys and knick-knacks can all have a home and eliminate a potential tripping hazard.
A far too often reality with a new addition to the family is that you can start to feel like you're outgrowing your home. To avoid this issue, you need to design with growth in mind. If you'd like a home gym or an office in your initial plan for your house, architects will treat it as if it were a bedroom. They'll include a closet, ample windows, and preferably a nearby bathroom. That way, if you need to convert it into a nursery down the road, you can do so without skipping a beat.
As your kids get older and move out, you can then convert those areas into guest rooms or additional living spaces. Even a designated playroom will eventually evolve into a more mature living space as their childhood progresses.
While multi-generational homes are ultimately designed to foster a family's community, everyone living there deserves a sense of privacy. Along with accessibility measures in the in-law suite, for instance, you can also consider providing them a separate entrance and a kitchenette for more of a sense of autonomy in their space.
With multiple generations under one roof, an additional concern is the number of bathrooms in your home. To eliminate butting heads over who gets to shower first, work with your architect to design en suite bathrooms for parents and grandparents, and a jack-and-jill bathroom for children.
For excellence in multi-family builds, our experts at Masterpiece Construction are true to our name. With high-quality materials and custom-made artistry, our Honolulu based team aims to create a one-of-a-kind luxury home for each one of their customers. When you're looking for original thinking to maximize the potential of a multi-family home, our architect’s design expertise will ensure you have the perfect plan for your needs. Call us today at (808) 688-8839.
