Conceived, edited and designed by gestalten, Come Together is a timely book that brings a curated focus on multigenerational residential architecture. Joann Plockova writes the introduction, with a project by Melbourne’s Austin Maynard Architects, photographed by Peter Bennetts, adorning the front cover.

The idea of multigenerational design is, in one sense, not remotely new. It’s a form of dwelling that humans have used since, well, forever. However, there is a definite timeliness and relevance in the context of contemporary architectural design.

People around the world are increasingly questioning staid models of the nuclear suburban home, and more experimental or unconventional models of living are finding a keen audience. Then there is the rather more concrete context of housing affordability crises in cities such as Sydney and Melbourne.

“It’s important to note upfront,” writes Plockova in the introduction, “that multigenerational housing is a choice for some, but for many more it’s a decision made out of economic necessity.”

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Multigenerational residential design provides a strong response for people in cities around the world looking for a well-designed home but struggling to afford one as a standalone pair. Spurred on by this economic backdrop, a new wave of multigenerational houses are catching design eyes everywhere.

Come Together is organised into sections such as Neighborly Living, Centuries-Old Multigenerational Living and Reimagining the Australian Dream. From India, Japan and Vietnam to the US and Australia, the book covers a wide geographic and contextual range. Readers in our region will be especially interested to see multiple projects by Austin Maynard Architects as well as Cera Stribley Architects, Fox Johnston and others.

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