Desinged by Partners Hill and Hogg and Lamb
Mermaid Multihouse
A study in the multigenerational living condition and the reinstatement of the village community in Australia’s suburbs conceived by Partners Hill and delivered with Hogg and Lamb, Mermaid Multihouse serves as an experiment in the multi-use vernacular.
Mermaid Multihouse
Located on the Gold Coast, Mermaid Multihouse reflects a shift away from the traditional single‑family dwelling. As housing prices and residential density rise, new forms of housing are emerging, with multi‑generational models being tested. Pooling their resources, a mother and son jointly purchased a property in their desired suburb. Conceived with Partners Hill and delivered with Hogg and Lamb, the project draws inspiration from the traditional village community to reinstate a collective mode of living.
Repurposed Suburban Village
Separate dwellings divided by a common party wall allow living areas to adapt to changing needs and income streams. Built by Concord Build, the converted home accommodates two self‑sustained dwellings, overlaid with a community village typology of laneways and separate entrances that mirror inner‑urban passageways. Six rooms maintain visual connections to the garden, while linking corridors enable passive cooling and ventilation. Within a single suburban block, this model echoes Japanese high‑density housing, offering an ingenious and efficient alternative to the traditional suburban layout.
Multihouse Sustainable Density
Mermaid Multihouse reuses a suburban site to triple its density, creating a model that supports multi‑generational living, changing needs over time, and working from home. Incorporating sustainable principles—rainwater storage, enviro‑certified systems, fans instead of air‑conditioning, and arcade ventilation—the project delivers a considered social, environmental and economic response. Partners Hill proposes an integrated model for reimagining the traditional residential landscape.
