Top architect says millennials 'don't need living rooms'...and they aren't happy

A top architect has sparked outrage online after claiming millennials "don't need a living room".

Patrick Schumacher, who worked on the London Aquatic Centre for the London 2012 Olympics, claims centrally-located, "hotel room-sized" studio flats are all young people need.

In a briefing paper, he wrote: "Those who are now making the hard choice between paying 80 per cent of their income on a central flat versus commuting from afar, will in the liberalized future appreciate new options and perhaps choose to pay only 60 per cent for a smaller but more central flat.

"For many young professionals who are out and about networking 24/7, a small, clean, private hotel room-sized central patch serves their needs perfectly well."

Mr Schumacher also says the Adam Smith Institute's recommendation of 38 squared metres for newbuild apartments is "paternalistic" and preventing poor young people from getting on the housing ladder.

Millennials responded in droves online, with many outraged at his apparent ignorance of the young people who are not "out and about networking 24/7".

Jen Thornton wrote: "The priority for housing should be to get to breakfasts and networking events?!

"Not the people who are paid much less to cook the breakfasts, serve drinks, clean venues, etc?"

@MickEgan wrote on Twitter: "Nope. We need a place to chill that's not our rooms...And why should millennials just put up with less?"

Meanwhile Hannah Shaw-Williams suggest Mr Schumacher's thinking could lead society down a slippery slope.

Meanwhile journalist Alan White suggested: "This is true, they actually just need a single giant hollowed out avocado."

The Standard approached Mr Schumacher for comment.