How a Passion for Architecture Birthed the Ultimate, Most Accessible ARE Study Guide

Elias Horat
3 min readApr 30, 2024

In the vast expanse of architectural education and professional certification, there shines a beacon: the ARE study guide developed by our team at Creates Cool. Today, I want to take you behind the scenes of this transformative project, years in the making and deeply rooted in my personal journey through architectural licensure.

The Genesis of an Idea

The journey to becoming a licensed architect is incredibly challenging. Personally, I spent over $3,000 on study materials and an additional $2,000 on retaking exams. Despite the resources at my disposal, the path was fraught with low pass rates and inadequate preparation.

Realizing the immense pressure and financial strain faced by many, our team sought to create not just any study guide, but one that was comprehensive, accessible, and above all, affordable. Thus, the seed for our ARE study guide at Creates Cool was planted, aiming to transform the daunting journey into a more manageable one.

Building More Than Just a Guide

Our vision was clear: craft a tool that not only prepares candidates for the ARE but invigorates their love for architecture. This vision led to the creation of the most cost-effective ARE study guide on the market, priced at just $10 per month. Our guide integrates interactive content and real-world scenarios, utilizing multiple methods of learning to ensure a deep and practical understanding of architectural concepts that candidates will be tested on.

Challenges Along the Way

Developing this guide wasn’t without its hurdles, from technological setbacks to aligning content with NCARB standards. However, our commitment to affordability and quality never wavered, fueled by a drive to make licensure accessible to all, regardless of financial background.

A Community-Centric Approach

Community feedback has been crucial in shaping our guide. This collaborative approach not only enhances the guide’s quality but also builds a supportive network for users. Additionally, in our effort to give back, we’re offering a limited-time referral program where both the referrer and the referred receive one month free. Furthermore, despite our low price point, we’re committed to reinvesting in our community by donating 10% of our proceeds to provide free exam entries each month.

The Impact and the Future

As we refine and expand our ARE study guide, the excitement within our team is palpable. We are architects of a brighter future for aspiring architects, ensuring that the next generation can pursue their certification with confidence and minimal financial burden.

Explore and Join Us

I invite you to visit our website archu.us to learn more about our revolutionary ARE study guide. Whether you’re preparing for the exams or just curious about what we offer, we welcome you to join our community. Together, let’s make architectural education accessible and empower every aspiring architect to achieve their dreams.

--

--