Multi-generational living is not new – all of us grew up in households with at least two generations and sometimes more. But we have become more used to moving home as our households change – like downsizing when the kids move out. As the housing crisis deepens, more of us are re-examining the case for two or three generations living together again under one roof.
In this panel discussion we’ll explore some of the practical ways to approach harmonious multi-generational living, such as designing better private and shared spaces. We’ll also look at some of the regulatory hurdles that can get in the way of living this way and how to deal with them.
The discussion will be moderated by Paul Burton, Emeritus Professor of Urban Management and Planning at Griffith University.
Speakers:
Moderator: Paul Burton. Professor Paul Burton is Emeritus Professor of Urban Management and Planning at Griffith University. Originally trained as a town planner in the UK, he completed his PhD at the University of Bristol on the redevelopment of London’s Docklands. After a distinguished academic career in the UK, he joined Griffith in 2007, where he founded and led the Cities Research Institute. His work bridges research, policy, and practice, focusing on urban governance, housing, climate adaptation, and planning for more liveable cities. Paul is also active in the Planning Institute of Australia and a Gold Coast Ambassador, committed to shaping sustainable urban futures.
Amy Degenhart LFRAIA is an award-winning Gold Coast architect and developer of innovative homes in Queensland. She says: Multi-generational living has been in my family for generations. Amy is currently working on embedding secondary dwellings in project homes, designing Exempt Primary and Secondary dwellings on small lots, developing the Pocket Home, or Teilhause.
Dr Heather Shearer is a Lecturer at Griffith University and has been researching tiny house living in Australia for over a decade. As well as examining how planning and building regulations can make ‘unconventional living’ very difficult, she is also working on how to reform these regulations to make them fit for purpose and suited to current conditions.
Lindsay and Kerry Clare are an award-winning husband and wife architectural team who have been producing outstanding buildings for over thirty years. Most recently they have designed four autonomous but connected homes on a Gold Coast block of only 800m2, that could house up to 20 people. Their work demonstrates vividly how high-quality design lays the foundation for successful multi-generational living.
Gold Coast Open House 2025 Speaker Series
Happening on Sunday 28 September, the Gold Coast Open House 2025 Speaker Series brings together architects, designers, urban planners, engineers, and creatives for a day of inspiring talks. From urban sketching and clean energy retrofits to circular design and multi-generational living, the series explores how we shape cities that are more sustainable, connected, and inclusive. Whether you’re a design professional or simply curious about the future of the Gold Coast, there’s something here for you. Held in partnership with Griffith University, the series highlights leading voices in design, sustainability, and urban innovation.
