Fundamentals of Cohabitation: Key Considerations for Sharing a Home with Multiple Generations
Living Together, Learning Together: The Pauluscarreé Multigenerational Housing Project
In the heart of Bielefeld, Germany, a unique living experiment unfolds at the Pauluscarreé. For a decade, Bruni Scheibe and 36 other adults, along with 10 children, have shared a 24-apartment complex that embodies the spirit of multigenerational living.
Initiated in response to demographic changes and the desire for intergenerational relationships, the Pauluscarreé is more than just a housing project—it's a community. Decisions within this community are made collectively through monthly plenums, working groups, and themed hours, ensuring everyone's voice is heard.
The benefits of such a living arrangement are manifold. Financially, the shared costs of housing, utilities, and maintenance reduce the burden on individual families. In terms of care, the presence of multiple generations allows for natural sharing of caregiving responsibilities, supporting both children and elderly family members.
Emotionally, the project fosters strong family bonds. Daily interaction allows for emotional support, the transmission of family traditions, and bridges generational gaps. Socially, the project provides a supportive community, helping to combat loneliness and promoting mental and emotional well-being.
However, multigenerational living is not without its challenges. Privacy and space conflicts can arise without thoughtful architectural planning, leading to overcrowding and tension. Lifestyle and routine differences can create friction, as variations in daily habits, technology use, and expectations among generations may clash.
Shared responsibilities and roles also pose a challenge. Clear agreements about household roles and responsibilities are necessary to avoid misunderstandings and disputes, especially in shared areas like kitchens and bathrooms.
The Pauluscarreé addresses these challenges through careful spatial planning. The complex offers flexible living spaces that respect privacy while fostering communal interaction. This approach models how architectural innovation can mitigate common conflicts in multigenerational projects.
The residents of Pauluscarreé hail from seven different countries and have varying income levels. The community is always seeking individuals who are willing to contribute and be involved in the project. The FORUM for Community Living offers counseling and guidance for those interested in community living, including a project exchange on their website (www.fgw-ev.de).
Dr. Romy Reimer, managing director of the FORUM for Community Living, advises clarifying the issue of succession in community living projects. This includes considering the possible integration of care-ambulatory offers and powers of attorney.
Ricarda Paetzold of the German Institute of Urban Studies notes that such projects are beneficial for municipalities as they provide a robust infrastructure offer in neighborhoods. Living in the Pauluscarreé requires work, such as janitorial and cleaning services and contributing to the association.
Despite the challenges, Bruni Scheibe emphasizes the importance of being ready to move, learn, and change in order to ensure the project's future. The neighbor's kids frequently visit Bruni Scheibe, bringing her joy.
In a homogeneous neighborhood, infrastructure would be geared towards specific needs and would need to be adapted as the residents age. The sustainability of the living project is a top priority for the Pauluscarreé community.
In conclusion, multigenerational housing projects, as exemplified by the Pauluscarreé, offer a balance of economic, social, and design factors to create sustainable living environments. Careful planning is essential to manage interpersonal and spatial dynamics effectively, ensuring that the benefits of multigenerational living can be maximized while addressing challenges.
- As a part of the Pauluscarreé multigenerational community, home-and-garden efforts could involve shared gardening activities, creating a home-and-garden space for all residents to enjoy and learn from each other.
- While differing lifestyles within the Pauluscarreé can lead to potential conflicts, fostering open communication and adaptability can help the community evolve and maintain strong relationships, ensuring a harmonious home-and-garden lifestyle for everyone.
