Patrick Schumacher Sparks Outrage with Anti-Social Housing Remarks at Berlin Architecture Festival

At the World Architecture Festival in Berlin, Zaha Hadid Architects director Patrick Schumacher called for the abolition of social housing and zoning regulations, and the privatization of public space. His remarks, reported by The Guardian, stunned an audience of architects and developers. Schumacher, founder of parametricism, argued that apartments closest to city centers should house only the most economically powerful and productive users. He also suggested razing Hyde Park to build a new city, questioning its usage and cost. The architect, who has worked with Hadid since 1998 and was named director in 2016, doubled down on social media, attacking public art schools and rent controls while welcoming foreign investment in London. A Dezeen reader dubbed him the 'Trump of architecture,' a label that went viral. Reactions on Twitter included artist Bob and Roberta Smith stating, 'I don't want to live in a world designed by Patrick Schumacher,' and architect Philip Oldfield calling his proposals 'a tragedy.' Urbanist Jeff Speck labeled him 'Design Clown.'