A Study on the Residential Space Usage Characteristics of Chinese Three-Generation Families

With the transformation of Chinese society and family structures, residential spaces designed primarily for nuclear families are increasingly unable to meet the living needs of three-generation households. This study focuses on the spatial behaviors of such households, aiming to identify the actual usage characteristics under multi-generational cohabitation and derive user-centered spatial requirements. Through behavioral observation and data analysis, the research investigates three core scenarios-communication and interaction, dining and caregiving, and studying and working-within key shared spaces such as the living room, dining room, and kitchen.<br/> The findings reveal: high-frequency behavioral overlap and high-density usage patterns that bring both opportunities for intergenerational interaction and challenges in space management;structural disconnection between kitchen and dining areas, leading to functional inefficiency; and limited flexibility and lack of time-sharing mechanisms in study/work spaces, resulting in behavioral conflicts. Based on these insights, the study proposes a shift toward flexible, user-centered spatial design strategies to better support dynamic, multi-role, and high-density family life in three-generation households.