Howbuild

Howbuild (하우빌드) is a Seoul-based construction technology platform that supports building projects from initial planning through completion and post-construction operation. It serves three participant groups — building owners (건축주), architects (건축사) and construction companies (건설사) — providing owners with feasibility-oriented business plans, architect selection and design, contractor selection, and construction supervision, while offering architects and contractors access to project opportunities and large-scale bidding without brokerage fees.

The platform's service lines include one-stop project management covering the full building process, construction management (CM) spanning drawing review, contractor selection and works oversight, and comprehensive real estate consulting for post-completion building management and income generation. Product-level offerings are branded: ArchiHire (아키히어) bidding for contractor sourcing and ArchiHire design as an open marketplace connecting owners with design partners; SmaCon (스마콘) for quantity take-off, 3D BIM and construction management data; and Howbuild Sketch, a free 3D regulatory-review design tool. Additional services referenced include construction payment safekeeping and planning design (기획설계). Howbuild states it does not itself perform design or construction work.

Published project references cover commercial buildings, mixed-use commercial-residential buildings and houses in Seoul (Cheongdam-dong, Bangbae-dong, Hannam-dong, Yeoksam-dong, Seongsu-dong, Samseong-dong), as well as Incheon, Yeosu, Gimhae, Daejeon, Yongin and Seongnam, with construction periods running from 2017 through 2024.

Business model

Howbuild operates as an intermediary platform rather than a design or construction firm. Owners pay usage fees for platform services (stated as separate from design fees and construction costs), while architects are offered project opportunities without commission fees and construction companies gain access to competitive bidding. The company also pursues corporate partnerships and enterprise tie-ups.

Traction

The site reports cumulative construction value of KRW 1 trillion across platform projects and access to quotes from about 3,000 construction companies; a company notice states that contractors participating in bidding increased 1.5x year over year. Project portfolio entries span 2017 to 2024 across multiple Korean cities.

Latest developments

Company notices describe a business agreement (MOU) with Korea Investment & Securities covering the construction IT platform, a strengthened business agreement with One Building brokerage firm, the renaming and relaunch of its marketplace as ArchiHire, an initiative referred to as It's Architect (잇츠에이), and a reported 1.5x year-over-year increase in contractors participating in bidding. Monthly construction market reports were published through at least October 2024.