Three-generation home showcased at Finnish housing fair

A three-generation household model, rare in Finland, is on display at the Lempäälä housing fair, where the Rajamäki family’s 300-square-metre semi-detached house allows grandparents, parents, and adult children to live together yet independently.

Only under one percent of Finnish families currently live in multi-generational households, according to Yle. The Rajamäki home—dubbed Villa Sydän—houses Minna and Mikko Rajamäki with their two teenage daughters in one unit, while Mikko’s parents, Olavi and Maria, occupy the other.

Minna Rajamäki said the family was inspired by Mikko’s parents, who had cared for their own elderly relatives until the end. “We want to set an example for our children and others,” she told Yle.

The model addresses pressing Finnish challenges, including elderly care shortages, generational drift, and the need to support young adults’ independence. The home is designed for adaptability: spaces can shift as needs change, such as converting a child’s studio into a guest room or a grandparent’s suite.

Turku University sociology professor Mirkka Danielsbacka noted that multi-generational living was once common in agrarian Finland but declined rapidly after World War II as urbanisation and the welfare state shifted care responsibilities from families to the state. Now, as the welfare state retreats and willingness to provide long-term elder care wanes, Danielsbacka warned of a difficult equation: “The age at which people have their first child is rising, so many find themselves with young children at the same time their own ageing parents need care.”

Research on multi-generational households in Finland remains limited. The University of Turku and the Population Research Institute are now studying these families using Statistics Finland’s register data. Danielsbacka cautioned that while such arrangements can benefit all generations, excessive care demands on grandparents may negatively affect grandchildren.

The property is designed for low-maintenance living, with stone replacing lawns and outdoor spaces managed with minimal tools. “We wanted a home that’s easy to clean and maintain, making daily life as simple as possible,” Minna Rajamäki said.

Olavi and Maria Rajamäki, who previously cared for their own parents in Tampere, said they were content to let the younger generation lead the design. “We’re getting off lightly,” Olavi said, while Maria expressed excitement about the move and the proximity to family.