The number and proportion of multi-generation households have been increasing in Australia over the last 20 or 30 years so that almost one in five Australians now live in a household that comprises two or more generations of related adults, according to a 2012 study by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute.

The study says that multigeneration households are particularly common in our major cities. In Sydney, where the practice is most common, almost one-quarter of all households comprised multiple generations.

The researchers concluded that there were several factors driving the trend. These include economic reasons, the ageing of the Australian population, and the traditional practices of many cultures, especially East Asian, Middle Eastern and Southern European cultures.

The benefits of multi-generation living

There are many benefits for multi-generation living including:

Several generations can pool their money and co-purchase property
Living expenses can be lower because they are split among more adults
Families stay connected and relationships between the generations are maintained
A cost-effective way to help care for ageing parents
Potential childcare cost savings

With a knockdown rebuild project, your family can stay in the same community.

Finding the right multi-generation living opportunity

For many families, multi-generation living can be very appealing for all the reasons we’ve suggested but finding the right multi-generation dwelling is paramount.

Living in a large home may work for some multi-generation families, whereas others need to have separate private spaces so they can be nearby but not within the same home. There are many reasons for this including lack of privacy, noise transference, clashing of schedules in kitchens and bathrooms, lack of space and lack of independence.

Building a new home that has two dwellings under one roof like ZAC Homes Echo and Amara ranges, is ideal to house two generations. Both designs incorporate a separate two-bedroom granny flat that has its own private entrance and outdoor area.

One of the great advantages of this type of layout is that the separate granny flat can be used by different family members as needs change like ageing parents, teenagers, and more. And if it is no longer required for family members, it can become an investment property.

ZAC Homes Echo

The ZAC Homes Echo is a single-storey home with four bedrooms in the main house, and two in the attached granny flat.

Within the Echo range, there are several options including a front-facing two-bedroom granny flat joined to the main dwelling. All design options focus on ease of access for everyone, while maintaining the feeling that there isn’t another dwelling attached. The main house focuses on space and has been designed to use every available bit of area to maximise the rooms and feel.

ZAC Homes Amara

The ZAC Homes Amara is a double-storey home with five bedrooms in the main house, and two in the separate granny flat. Like the Echo, there are several layout options available to suit different requirements.

Both the main house and the flat are designed to be completely private and separate so family members can feel like they are close by, but not living on top of each other.

The Amara 49 is a spacious family home with five bedrooms in the main house, four of which are upstairs including the master suite. The fifth bedroom downstairs has its own ensuite. There are two family rooms, one upstairs, one downstairs plus a spacious living room, alfresco dining area, open plan kitchen and dining room, and more.

Upstairs in a separate zone is the granny flat with its own entrance, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, one of which is an ensuite, living, dining and kitchen, and balcony. Located downstairs is a single car garage, laundry and entry porch.

Consider a knock down rebuild

If you love the area in which you live, and you have a suitable block of land, a knock down rebuild project of your existing home could be ideal. It’s a great way to accommodate a multi-generation family in more suitable accommodation without moving to a new area.

Established suburbs often have larger blocks of land than newer suburbs, and the land is underutilised. By pooling the resources of several generations, you’ll be able to afford a new home that will suit everyone’s needs, rather than compromising.

Build a new multi-generation home with ZAC Homes

ZAC Homes has many years of experience building multi-generation homes as well as knock down rebuild projects.

ZAC Homes builds with trust, respect, integrity and pride, which we work hard to deliver to every client. Call us on 1300 350 793 or send us an online enquiry and our team will work with you to design and build your dream home.