Alatavoite

Alatavoite is a Finnish concept referring to the ideal state of a house being lived in by two generations at the same time, typically a young couple and their parents, often grandparents and grandchildren. This lifestyle is not unique to Finland, but it is particularly prevalent in the country's culture.

The alatavoite dwelling is designed to be spacious and open-plan, accommodating multiple family units under one roof. This communal living arrangement is often seen as a continuation of the traditional extended family setup, but with adaptations suited to modern Finnish society.

According to Finnish culture, a dwelling with an alatavoite setup is highly valued as it allows intergenerational living, shared childcare, and communal household responsibilities to be distributed among family members. Additionally, accessibility and mobility in an aging population are facilitated, as younger generations are more suited to provide support to elderly relatives in such settings. In exchange, older generations contribute their experience and childcare expertise to the family unit.

Research on intergenerational living arrangements suggests that alatavoite dwellings promote close family ties and stimulate interactions between members from different age groups. In many Scandinavian countries, including Finland, multigenerational family homes have become common due to the aging population and contemporaneous societal trends.

The concept and actual living arrangement of alatavoite have become increasingly recognized as a model for family relationships, supporting family solidly and bracing oneself against its numerous special underground changes.