Millennials in Architecture: Generations, Disruption, and the Legacy of a Profession

Sollohub (architecture, New Jersey Inst. of Technology) uses generational theory to explore the present and potential future impacts of millennials on the architecture profession. He advocates using this generation’s skills—civic-mindedness, a team focus, and an aptitude for digital technology—to architecture’s advantage during disruptions caused by technology, climate change, and other factors. Intended as a conversation-starter rather than a road map, the book nevertheless details the history and future forecast of generations in architecture. Part 1 of 3 defines generational theory, describes millennial culture, and compares it with its 20th-century counterparts, exploring how these generations played out in American architectural history. Part 2 looks more closely at the overlap between millennial attributes and architecture and the positive and negative effects of the generation on the profession. Part 3 contrasts architecture with other professions and looks ahead to innovations in education and licensure. The appendix includes the results of a 2016 survey Sollohub coauthored and sent to recent architecture graduates and professionals, cited at key points throughout the book.