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There is a Grand Canyon-esque divide that exists between the baby boomer and millennial generations. What this generation means for the profession of architecture?

The Great Recession in the late 2000’s is mostly responsible for creating this gap that seemingly skips over an entire generational category, Gen X.

Before we explain how millennials are redefining design, we better first explain who exactly these millennials are.

The Millennial generation or as some call them the Generation Y is largely considered to be a group of people born between 1980–2000. Millennials have come of age during a time of technological change, globalization and economic disruption. That’s given them a different set of behaviors and experiences than their parents.

According to Goldman Sachs, Millennials have been slower to marry and move out on their own, and have shown different attitudes to ownership that have helped spawn what’s being called a “sharing economy”.

They’re also the first generation of digital natives, and their affinity for technology helps shape how they live. Finally, they are dedicated to wellness, devoting time and money to exercising and eating right. Their active lifestyle influences trends in everything from food and drink to home design.

I THINK MILLENNIALS ARE A GENERATION UNLIKE ANYTHING WE’VE SEEN ON THIS PLANET.

The age of social media, video games and virtual living is opening the minds and designs of a new generation of architects that is creating today’s housing choices.

Rather than designing via more traditional methods, Millennial architects are inspired by what they’ve seen on their desktops, phones and tablets. Architecture industry leaders believe that the generation known for self-expression and social awareness are destined to change the future of architecture.

“Millennials are unlike any other youth generation in living memory. They are more numerous, more affluent, better educated, and more ethnically diverse. More important, they are beginning to manifest a wide array of positive social habits that older people no longer associate with youth, including a new focus on teamwork, achievement, modesty, and good conduct.” — Neil Howe and William Strauss