Your Own Compound

If Part 1 was about why multigenerational living is rising, Part 2 is about the dream version of it:

living close, without living on top of each other.

Because even when you adore your family, you may not want to share a kitchen with them forever. You might want Grandma and Grandpa nearby—but not hearing every blender smoothie and every teenager argument. You may want your adult kid to have a soft landing… with their own front door.

That’s the heart of the “family compound” idea: one property, multiple homes—harmonious togetherness with breathing room.

The “compound” idea… Seattle edition

When people picture a compound, they often imagine multiple houses side-by-side on separate lots, like a little family village. That’s possible, but in Seattle it usually means assembling several homes on one street—expensive, complicated, and not very realistic for most families.

So instead, many families are exploring a more achievable Plan B:

Plan B: One lot, multiple homes

On many residential lots, it’s increasingly common to create a property that includes a combination of:

1. A primary home

2. An attached ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit—think: a separate living space connected to the main house)

3. A detached DADU (Detached ADU—think: backyard cottage)

When done well, this can create what people actually want:

• separate kitchens

• separate entrances

• separate living rooms

• more privacy and fewer daily friction points

In short: everyone has their own “home base,” while still being close enough to share life.

But here’s the twist: this isn’t your typical “condo”

When you hear the word condo, you probably picture:

• a tall building

• shared hallways

• elevators

• monthly HOA dues

• rules about everything from paint colors to pets

That’s the “traditional condo” image—and it’s not wrong.

But there’s another kind of condo structure that matters a lot for family compounds:

Enter the air-space condo

An air-space condo is a legal way to create separate ownership for multiple homes that share the same underlying parcel of land.

Instead of owning “Unit 307 in a building,” you might own:

• the air-space that defines your home

• plus your share of certain common elements (like the land, driveway, utilities, or shared courtyard—depending on the setup)

The big idea is this:
multiple homes can exist on one parcel, but an air-space condo can allow them to be legally separated into distinct, ownable units.

That matters because it creates flexibility:

• If a family member needs to move later, the family may be able to sell one home without selling the entire property (depending on how it’s structured).

• It can allow different generations to build equity in their own dwelling.

• It can make a multi-home property feel less like “we’re all locked in forever,” and more like a smart plan that can adapt as life changes.

And it doesn’t have to feel like “condo living.” Many air-space condos look like:

• two detached homes in a courtyard

• a main home + backyard cottage with clearly defined space

• small clusters of homes that feel like single-family living—just legally structured as condos for ownership and shared elements

Why this is so appealing for multi-generational living

Because it supports what most families actually want:

Closeness without collision.
Togetherness without losing your own rhythms.
Help nearby… without giving up privacy.

It can also make logistics easier:

• built-in childcare support

• easier aging-in-place planning

• shared errands, rides, and pet care

• more “village,” less overwhelm

The bottom line

If you’re dreaming of a family compound, you don’t necessarily need three houses on three lots.

In many cases, the more realistic path is one great property—with thoughtfully designed separate spaces—and, when appropriate, an air-space condo structure that creates flexibility and long-term options.

In Part 3, we’ll get more practical: what layouts actually work, what to watch out for, and how to balance privacy, parking, and daily life.