Maya Carni, buying agent and architect

What drew me to architecture was a question that has always occupied me: what does home mean? Every building is bricks and mortar, four walls and windows. Yet some of them feel like home and others don’t. In my years of practice I only took on residential work, and every project started with the people and their day-to-day.

When a listing calls a house “architect designed”, you expect something renovated, designed and stylish. What it actually means is that someone qualified spent time, and an owner spent money, making it a good quality home. I kept wondering why that should be the privilege only of people who can afford a two-year renovation and hundreds of thousands of pounds.

I wasn’t born here. I came to London in 2001 to study architecture, and never left. Everything was new to me then, and the richness of the city fascinated me. It still does.

I was drawn to the East, to its energy and its authenticity. For nearly 20 years I lived in North and East London – Shoreditch, Islington, Stoke Newington, Dalston – and watched those areas change beyond recognition. I bought my first home there. When I started my practice, I got to know the city at a different scale: its housing stock, and the fabric and charm of its homes, one house at a time. When I later moved to South East London, I discovered a whole new side of the city: greener, less urban, with a charm of its own. Twenty-five years on, I still find new corners, and in my spare time I enjoy exploring this endless city. I work in the areas I know and love.

By accident. An acquaintance was buying for their daughter in London and didn’t know where to start. They knew my background in both property and architecture, and asked for my help. At first I wasn’t sure I was the right person – I’m an architect. But as the search went on, I learned that the things I take for granted because of my background are really useful to buyers. Word of mouth did the rest.

The more buyers I helped, the clearer it became what I bring: the property side and the architect’s side, together. There are plenty of good architects, and plenty of experienced, knowledgeable estate agents. Bringing the two together is what is unique about what I do, and where people get real value.

I get to know my buyers properly, then look for the place that fits their life. When we find it, I can see as soon as we walk through the door what it makes them feel. And I can feel it too.

But equally, a home is a huge financial commitment. Once you’ve fallen for a place it’s hard to negotiate for yourself, so I keep a clear head for you, and make sure every decision you make is a well-informed one.

Hearing from my buyers after they’ve moved in – the thank you cards, the WhatsApp messages, as well as the Google reviews – validates every time that what I do works: understanding what someone really needs, and translating it into the right home.