4 Tips for Building a Home to Grow Old In

Having designed plenty of villas in his days and always planning for them to last around 200-300 years, architect Pål Ross knows a thing or two about home longevity. Aside from the houses themselves being built to last, he always creates homes that the owners will be able to make use of for the remainder of their lives.

If you are considering building a home that you wish to stay in for the long run, make sure to read these four tips.

Cover photo: Design©️Pål Ross, Fotograf Filmby Studios

“When you start building your home, you might be in your thirties and lucky enough to have a few kids” says Pål and continues, “but remember that life changes. Take a few moments to consider what life will look like after the children move out. If your home is built only for your current stage in life, it might feel empty or unsuitable for your future needs.”

Pål also encourages his clients to do a financial comparison between investing a bit more today in a home that is suitable both now and in ten, 20 or 30 years, and building one that is suitable now but will require them to move once or twice more over that same time span.

“You want a house that just works throughout life. If it has more than one floor, a home lift is essential. Perhaps a laundry chute that goes straight down to the laundry room in the basement, making it fun for the kids to drop laundry. These things make life easier and more enjoyable.”

Describing his style as a mix of ultra-classical and ultra-modern, Pål and his team masterfully blend architecture techniques that have worked for hundreds of years with modern technology. His homes are meant to make living hassle-free both with aging and potential disability.

“If you are lucky enough to live for a long time, you might at some point become a widow or widower. Being able to sublet a part of your home could be an important source of income. Or perhaps you will need extra care, in which case a caregiver can live in this separate area instead of multiple people coming and going.”

Moving is never an easy endeavor, especially in old age. Most of Pål’s clients take great care in finding a nice spot before construction starts and are keen on staying in the home they have built for as long as they can.

“A couple of personal experiences have made me value the hospitality of a home. When I was young, my grandfather lived in a lovely home that was always a joy to visit. I have also worked with elderly care and seen what aging can look like in a less inviting environment. If you can, you should build a home that your children and grandchildren are happy to visit” says Pål in conclusion. “It makes a big difference.”

Simply having a guest room with a separate bathroom can mean the world to homeowners in their golden years – and their visitors. Having shared spaces that loved ones would appreciate is another way to create a hospitable environment.

Pål Ross frequently collaborates with Aritco and always plans for a carefully designed Aritco HomeLift to be an essential part of future-proofing the homes he creates.