Why Architecturally Designed Homes Command Higher Value

In the world of real estate and home design, architecturally designed homes stand out not just for their aesthetic appeal but also for their inherent value. Such homes, crafted under the meticulous eye of a professional architect, offer more than just shelter; they are a confluence of art, functionality, and innovation. Architecturally designed homes carry a distinct advantage in the market, appreciated not only for their visual impact but also for the thoughtful consideration of space, light, and flow. This attention to detail and unique design aspects often result in these homes commanding a higher value than those not born from the same level of professional design expertise.

Exploring the reasons behind the heightened value of architecturally designed homes reveals several facets. From architectural uniqueness and its impact on home value, functional advantages tailored by expert design, to curb appeal and market perception, each contributes significantly to the allure and financial appraisal of such properties. Moreover, viewing unique architecture as a long-term investment uncovers the enduring benefits of these homes. Through this article, we will delve into how the meticulous design process, executed by skilled architects, not only enhances the aesthetic and functional aspects of a home but also fortifies its market value and appeal, laying down a comprehensive argument for the premium placed on architecturally designed homes.

Architectural Uniqueness and Its Impact on Home Value

Defining Unique Architecture

Architecture transcends mere floor plan and basic exterior design, merging extraordinary aesthetics with real functionality to create homes that enhance human interaction and family well-being. Unique architecture deviates from conventional designs, introducing innovative, often out-of-the-box concepts and qualities that significantly stand out from the commonplace homes that are so prevalent today.

How Unique Designs Capture Attention

In the world of fashion, people avoid looking like the person next to you. No one enjoys wearing the same exact outfit as someone else in a room, it's embarrassing and awkward, yet when it comes to our personal homes we do exactly that. Why do we do that? The answer simply put, is that we have allowed large production builders to set the tone for what most people consider good home design, and nothing could be more misguided. It is like comparing a mass produced car to a one of a kind classic, or a box store outfit to a custom tailored one. The most awe inspiring homes one sees in magazines and television shows are not designed by just anyone, and more than likely it was the work of a talented architect.

Homes with distinctive architectural features and intelligent design interventions draw the eye and enhance the living experience in ways that can’t be compared with run of the mill production and builder lead homes. Attention to details of how materials come together, careful consideration of proportions, managing shadows and sunlight with the design, precisely shaping spaces to fit unique finer human needs, and methodically calculating for ultimate comfort are hallmarks of unique design. These elements make properties particularly appealing to design-conscious buyers, often willing to pay a premium for homes that resonate with their aesthetic values and lifestyle needs.

Case Studies of Unique Architectural Designs

A study highlights that homes with superior design and unique architectural features can see up to a 19% increase in market value, especially in the luxury segment, but this increased value is not reserved for only the wealthy. For instance, properties like the Mushroom House in Pittsford, NY, feature whimsical designs that, while niche, commands significant attention and value due to it’s uniqueness. However, it's essential to consider that extreme distinctiveness may also limit the buyer pool, as seen with the Flintstones House in Hillsborough, CA, which faced challenges in finding a buyer due to its very unusual aesthetics. Although bizarre designs have a place, the value of unique architectural designs is seen more realistically in homes designed by renowned architects such as Frank Loyd Wright from 1888 - 1959, which to this day garner market values well beyond a comparably sized and styled home.

Functional Advantages of Architecturally Designed Homes

Homes not designed by an architect often lack the critical attention to detail where it matters most, missing out on the potential to maximize functional and aesthetic appeal, and comfort which are crucial in commanding higher market values.

Balancing Aesthetics and Practicality

Have you ever experienced feeling relaxed, peaceful, and inspired or energized and excited by merely being in a place or a building? If you have, then you felt what architectural design can accomplish. Architecturally designed homes excel in merging aesthetics with functionality in thoughtful ways, ensuring that every design element serves a real purpose while enhancing the visual appeal and comfort of every space. Architects prioritize the primary function of spaces, tailoring designs to the specific needs and comfort of users and their well-being. This approach results in homes that are not only beautiful, highly functional and efficient, but also meaningful so you feel relaxed, peaceful, inspired, and energized in your own home.

Examples of Optimized Home Functionality

Home functionality is not just about the latest gizmos and gadgets. Functional comfort, utility, and performance are less about technology and more to do with how well one interacts with a homes’ spaces. In architecturally designed homes, every aspect is meticulously planned—from the placement of windows for optimal natural light to the use of sustainable materials that reduce environmental impact and energy costs. For instance, well designed homes by an architect will not have intrusive sunlight and no hot and cold spots throughout the house. Walking through the homes would have seamless flow with no awkward corners or intersection points. Similar details extend to the exterior as well. Homes that are thoughtful and easy to navigate are more attractive to buyers.

Buyer Preferences for Functional Homes

Buyers increasingly value homes that combine aesthetic appeal with practical function, and that is not achieved by design status quo houses. Although today’s home buyers are more educated, they don’t often associate value with what they see, but rather what can’t be seen. Pointing out sustainable materials used, unique energy efficiencies, and obscure qualities go a long way.

Architecturally designed homes often feature unique elements like custom cabinets and hidden storage, which not only adds interest and appeal but also provide functional benefits such as maximizing storage without compromising aesthetics. These homes cater to the evolving demands of buyers who prioritize both design integrity and everyday usability.

Curb Appeal and Market Perception

How Curb Appeal Increases Value

Curb appeal significantly impacts a home's market value by creating a strong first impression and appealing to people's innate allure towards the interesting and unique. Curb appeal is not driven by the size or value of a home, but by the details that create harmony with the site that a house sits on. This is not just about landscaping but also the shape of the house and how sunlight interacts with it, the shadows that are created and their contribution to the visual aesthetics. Architect designed homes carry the most curb appeal due to the meticulous attention to detail and craft in shaping buildings, that is not usually seen in other types of designers.

Research and Statistics on Curb Appeal

Recent studies underscore the importance of curb appeal in real estate transactions. According to a survey by TruGreen, 75% of homeowners prioritize the exterior look of a property when making a purchase, with younger generations like Gen Z and millennials placing even higher importance on this aspect. Additionally, nearly all REALTORS® recommend improving a home’s curb appeal before listing it. Homes with enhanced curb appeal can see up to a 7% increase in property value. This suggests that investing in an architect designed home has a tangible level of future proofing for resale.

Unique Architecture as a Long-Term Investment

Market Rarity and Value Appreciation

As we've already established, people's attention is not generally captivated by ordinary things, but by the extraordinary. Have you ever seen people's heads turn at the sight of a standard production car; likely not? However, even if one is not a car enthusiast and a restored classic or exotic car goes by just about everyone looks.

Similarly, unique architecture often stands out in the real estate market due to its rarity and distinctive design, which can significantly enhance property value. Homes with unique architectural features are considered rare assets, and like any scarce commodity or extraordinary thing, they command higher prices. This rarity not only appeals to a niche market that values distinctiveness but also contributes to a higher long-term investment potential accessible to home buyers with more modest budgets.

Comparison with Standard Homes

A standard home is one created to appeal to a mass consumer market that can be built for as little cost as possible. These are what we can describe as “cookie cutter” designs that emulate popular architectural styles, but lack uniqueness and often quality. Price point does not exclude standard homes; a million dollar house can be standard. Although these standard homes are usually found in subdivisions, an increased number of “custom homes” as marked by custom home builders fall into this category. To compare apples to apples, we are focused on homes intended to be “custom” on a private parcel of land or in a community that allows different style homes. General characteristics of standard homes are not difficult to spot:

• They look very familiar and will usually be similar to something a large production builder has already put out.

• Many elements such as windows, doors, siding, and trim are the same sizes and styles commonly found in most production homes.

• Architectural features such as building and roof shapes, overhangs, and landscaping are all the same as or similar to production homes.

• Homes were not designed for the land they sit on and usually appear out of place.

• Although there may be eye catching colors and textures, nothing stands out as unique, and will feel common.

• If one looks closely at the details, quality issues will be apparent.

• Being in one of these standard homes does not evoke any special feelings.

Architecturally designed homes typically exhibit a higher degree of thought into details, function, spaces, and quality compared to standard homes. Although quality materials are specified by architects, materials in themselves do not make a quality custom home. Many custom home builders use quality materials and great craftsmanship in homes they create, but the spaces and features are that of a dressed up standard home. In comparison, buyers looking to buy will mostly gravitate towards unique, well-crafted properties. Additionally, these homes are often designed to optimize the use of their location, providing desirable views and maximizing natural light, which standard homes do not prioritize. The combination of these factors means that architecturally designed homes can maintain or increase in value better than their standard counterparts.

Art as a Parallel for Architectural Investment

Investing in unique architecture can be likened to investing in art. Both involve a deep appreciation for aesthetic and emotional value, and both can offer significant financial returns under the right conditions. While some architectural features may not always yield a direct return on investment, the collective experience of these homes enhance comfort and living in ways that when buyers realize those qualities as a unique property, will see the return on investment potential. However, just as with art, the value of an architecturally unique home can be subjective and influenced by market trends and buyer preferences towards the ordinary.

Conclusion

Throughout this article, we have delved deeply into the significant advantages and the added value that architecturally designed homes offer over standard properties. These homes, crafted with precision and creativity by professional architects, embody a seamless blend of aesthetics, functionality, and innovation. We uncovered how unique design elements not only enhance the aesthetic appeal but also improve comfort and functionality, contributing to a higher market value. Essential to their appeal is a meticulous attention to detail—something homes without this level of professional design expertise frequently lack—underscoring the comprehensive argument that architecturally designed homes indeed warrant their premium market standing.

Moreover, the discussion illuminated the tangible and intangible benefits of investing in such properties, from their potential for value appreciation to the enrichment of the occupants' daily living experience. Importantly, homes lacking architectural design miss crucial opportunities to maximize both functional and aesthetic potential, reinforcing the notion that architect-driven projects hold a distinct edge in the marketplace. As we reflect on the enduring benefits of architecturally designed homes, it becomes clear that they offer more than mere shelter; they represent a wise investment in quality, uniqueness, and sustainable living, poised to stand the test of time both in value and in lifestyle enhancement.