There’s an assumption that housing for elderly or intergenerational families can’t add any height. But with care accessible, tight-knit communities are more than doable in multi-storied or even high-rise buildings. So, how do you achieve that?

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Multi-storey housing is generally considered automatically unviable for older citizens. Particularly if these structures have their bedrooms upstairs and don’t have a lift.

Some argue that we assume too little of our elderly in this debate. When a two-storey complex without lifts was planned in Blenheim last year councillors and advocates debated whether it was viable for senior renters.

Mobility advocates argued that such complexes without lifts may trap residents in their homes. They may be unable to climb the stairs or be stuck upstairs as their health status can change overnight. Additionally, retrofitting lifts into a building down the line may be expensive and disruptive, so why not install them now?

However, some councillors suggested that there are enough fit, older renters in the area to justify the lack of lifts. Further, they suggest that this line of thinking presumes the abilities of our elderly and does them a disservice. Regarding retrofits, they suggest the estimated cost to install lifts now or in the future is comparable.

Whatever the case, we’ve seen concern over these kinds of developments and how they will work for intergenerational dynamics. And while these are valid, we also wanted to explore some examples of where height and density can work.

Sky High

If you’re looking into vertical density for seniors, the first things you’ll find are high rises; this includes apartment living and multi-storey communities.

These vertical villages are particularly attractive as the world gets increasingly urbanised. Being more central, a high rise lets its residents maintain access to all the recreation, food, services and socialisation a city offers. Plus, it’s convenient for those who have family that live or work in town.

That said, the most interesting complexes act more like a community with activities and services on site. This could look like the Kampung Admiralty residential complex.

This development offers 100 flats for elderly residents (and their families) as well as retail, a large hawker area, a medical centre, social and communal facilities, childcare and more. It has large spaces available for activities like group exercise. The green spaces are wheelchair accessible and open to the public.

Residents can take classes in skills like cooking and music. They can even volunteer or take on “micro-job opportunities” like working at the facility’s supermarket. As we talked about in a previous article, it can important for people to retain a level of autonomy and sense that they are contributing to their spaces.

This project’s entire focus was the balance of community and density. Looking back the developers would have liked to include even more flats, around 300 total, including some for younger families. This would further their intergenerational vision.

Kampung Admiralty is a beautiful example of vertical elderly living. But that’s not really what people talk about when they’re concerned about bedrooms on the first floor. Obviously, no one expects anyone to only climb the stairs of this massive structure.

Making space

Pandelaki, Wijayanti & Pribadi (2013) compares and explores high-rise retirement communities in Japan and Indonesia. They collected data from interviews, observations and surveys on what activities residents got up to and where.

These complexes are certainly shorter than Kampung Admiralty. And they may not have the scale or as many onsite facilities. But what’s interesting about these are the social dynamics that come out of these communities.

The study identified physical, social, religious, healthcare, leisure, and economic activities. The residents conducted these activities both individually and in groups. Here too, some residents still chose to work and live with their families.

But what’s really exciting is how people are using liminal spaces to socialise. There’s a running theme where any need left unmet is worked around. Unable to make it to a specialist, they’ll come to you; that service isn’t onsite, it’s in the wider community; no site for your activity, make the space yourself.

Spaces such as stairwells and corridors became surprisingly vital social hubs. These are the places where you meet your neighbours in a high rise, where you get a sense of community. They provided a space to meet and organise. This can be particularly welcome in apartment complexes which can feel isolating and lonely.

I do remember, while at uni, I’d most often catch my friends not on campus, not in the dining hall, but on the staircase where we’d stop and chat for over an hour. It’s only natural; everyone has to pass through these spaces. As such, their practical and social purpose should be seriously considered when developing these highrise communities.

Some of the examined structures did not have lifts. The paper argues their absence, while a clear issue for accessibility, encourages more physical activity and socialisation.

Height at home

To close us out, we wanted to highlight some homes that weren’t just large complexes.

This article from dezeen showcases ten homes around the world designed for intergenerational families. Each house uses space in interesting ways to balance privacy and communal living.

You may have already seen the stacked multigenerational home on Wellington Street, Melbourne. Moving down its levels, the top floor is a “retreat,” then there are the bedrooms, then a communal floor. The ground floor level is available for commercial use making it a truly mixed-use building.

Some homes use partitions throughout the house that can be moved around and put aside. This means the home can grow and adapt with the family.

These are but a few options.

Beyond the home

Regardless of the design of the home or complex itself, you may be seeing that the area around the home is just as important. There need to be easily accessible facilities for healthcare, food, recreation, childcare etc. nearby. This way, even if the home or residence can’t provide something, its occupants can still access all they need with ease and dignity.

This also means ensuring the streets nearby are safe and easily navigable. Particularly when we’re thinking intergenerationally, these streets will have to accommodate people of every age. There will also have to be spaces for families to connect and solid public transport so family can easily visit the area.

Vertical living is a great way to densify while keeping a community. But achieving this will require a lot of care and work on the neighbourhoods and streets around us.

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Further resources

• Crafting “age-friendly” towns for an ageing population by Grace Clark
• Senior Living Cooperative Explained by Brad Breeding
• Why vertical living for older people needs to address heat risks by Willow Aliento
• Ngā tū wāhi tāone pai mō te hunga kaumātua: Creating Age friendly urban places by Te Tari Kaumātua

Tags: acessibility, high density, Housing, intergenerational equity