Like his near-contemporary Constantin Lipsius, Auer was an eloquent advocate for architectural realism, a sophisticated theoretical stance that became increasingly significant in the 1880s on the continent. Architectural Realists sought to renew contemporary architecture through thoughtful reconsideration of the symbolic properties of the classical language of architectural expression; this "realistic" reconsideration required a new level of archaeological accuracy in the understanding of the emergence and evolution of specific forms.
Auer, akin to his near-contemporary Constantin Lipsius, was an articulate advocate for architectural realism, a sophisticated theoretical perspective that gained importance in the 1880s across the continent. Architectural Realists sought to revitalize contemporary architecture through a thoughtful reevaluation of the symbolic properties of classical architectural language; this "realistic" reassessment necessitated a more nuanced understanding of the historical development and evolution of specific forms.