Famous architect Richard Meier once said, “The work (of architecture) needs to have a certain longevity, it lasts longer than we do.”
This is true, as homes, office buildings, churches, etc. all represent a sense of place for many years after our lifespans. Some of these constructions for the foreseeable future—becoming protected and preserved as historical landmarks woven into the fabric of society.
These tangible spaces provide more than just shelter, they also provide a time capsule to the time that they were built. The constructed environment around us reflects humanity at any one moment in time, representing many aspects of our lives—showcasing the innovation, functionality, style, design, and art aesthetic that was agreed upon by a huge community of people.
It might be surprising to know that private housing dominates 53% of the architectural market in modern-day, with 40% of it relating to individual houses. This means that more than half of the history of our built and tangible society is in the hands of private owners.
In 2022, however, houses are only on the market for an average of 38 days, meaning that not a lot of time is spent in consideration when it comes to the passing of these important historic and artistic relics. One online platform, Architecturalist.com, aims to change this and provide a way for architecture lovers and buyers alike to find houses that lift up these design values.
Let’s take a look at how this company is helping to merge the importance of architecture and design with the current booming real estate market.
A Platform for Architecturally Significant Homes
Architecturalist.com is a website that was created in the spirit of honoring the architects that dreamt of a better future, reimagined the way we live, and strived to make good design accessible to all. An online auction platform that makes it easy to buy, sell, and share architecturally significant homes, they are rewriting the script in the real estate market.
Their listings are crafted to increase offers for sellers and give prospective buyers the most complete information about a property—merging the artistic world of architecture and the increasingly fervent real estate market, all without compromising the artistic or market value of a home.
They are able to achieve this through the principles that guide the platform: openness, transparency, and a connection to nature. Whether historic or contemporary, many of the properties in their listings represent profound moments in our shared cultural, political, and architectural history.
The company aims to protect those memories while allowing homeowners to write new ones within these carefully curated homes.
Architecturalist connects real estate agents with discerning buyers, sellers, and enthusiasts from around the country who appreciate the value and importance of good design. With a collection of unique homes that were designed by architects, their collection of significant properties represents some of the most thoughtfully constructed homes from the last 100 years.
Bolstering some of the nation’s greatest architects—from common household names to unsung heroes of the Modern Movement to the most innovative practicing architects of today—they provide their community an inside look at homes that are shaping modern-day architecture.
An Easy-to-Use Platform
Architecturalist.com streamlines the home-buying and selling process with a sleek, intuitive website that invites users to discover new houses, ask questions, and share their thoughts with an informed community of like-minded enthusiasts.
Coupled with this intuitive interface, listings are supported by beautiful photography, immersive videos, and engaging descriptions—showcasing each property’s key features and explaining its architectural significance.
The Architecturalist platform works as a liaison between buyers and sellers—towing the line of integrity to ensure that homes are of architectural value. An owner or licensed agent can submit the listing using a link and after completing a short questionnaire and uploading photos, their team of auction curators will study the property to determine if it’s a good fit.
If a listing is approved, their team schedules professional photography and videography, writes an engaging listing, and helps determine the reserve price. Then the home goes on auction for 21 days. Architecturalist then works with the seller’s agent to market and promote the listing to their own community’s reach, across social media channels, and on major real estate platforms and online marketplaces. Finally, their team then helps with the final transaction between the buyer and the seller.
Preserving This Era’s Mark on Home Design
With six million houses sold in February 2022, it is important for the housing market ecosystem to have an architectural niche represented. These types of homes are of extreme value outside of the monetary kind—representing cultural significance now and for years to come.
Architecturalist.com is helping to construct this participation from the buying and selling real estate community through their proprietary platform. With their help, the Frank Lloyd Wrights of 2022 will have their masterpieces preserved just like he did, providing noteworthy homes for this generation and the next.
Disclosure: This article mentions a client of an Espacio portfolio company.
