Architonic operates as a digital intermediary between architects, designers and manufacturers of premium building materials and furnishings. Founded in Zurich in 2003 by architects Tobias Lutz and Nils Becker alongside IT specialists, the platform has evolved into Europe's dominant product database for design professionals, hosting over 400,000 curated products from approximately 1,500 manufacturers. The company generates annual revenue of approximately 21.7 million dollars and employs around 55 people across offices in Zurich, Berlin, Stuttgart, Milan, Mexico City and Santiago de Chile.
The platform attracts over 16 million annual visitors, approximately 60 percent from Europe and 40 percent from the Americas, Asia and the Middle East. Users browse detailed product specifications, imagery and direct manufacturer links without encountering low-quality or off-brand listings. Architonic maintains editorial control through a jury of architects and design professionals who review manufacturer applications, functioning as a quality gatekeeper rather than an open marketplace.
In 2020, the company merged with ArchDaily, a leading architectural projects database, creating what proponents describe as the largest online architecture and design community globally. Following a significant ownership change in early 2026, when the Sandow Companies acquired Architonic, the platform remains operationally independent while gaining access to broader distribution networks across design magazines, websites and media properties. The acquisition reflects expanding global consolidation within design industry digital infrastructure, particularly as platforms compete to capture professional workflows spanning inspiration, product specification and project documentation.