Websites for Architects and Design Studios
By CodexierPublished 4 min read
Most architects' websites look alike: a full-screen photo, a grid of projects, a contact page. They are beautiful and they say very little. A client choosing an architect is buying judgement, the ability to handle a difficult site, a tight budget or a planning authority. This guide shows how to build a site that makes that judgement visible, without sacrificing the imagery or the speed.
Projects as stories, not galleries
A strong project page follows a simple shape. Start with the situation: a sloping plot in Nacka, a listed facade in Gothenburg, a family that needed a home office without an extension. Then name the constraint that made it hard. Then show the decision, with a sketch or a diagram if you have one, and only then the finished photographs. A reader who has a similar problem recognises themselves, and that recognition is what makes them get in touch.
Showing process and constraints
Clients who have never commissioned an architect are often unsure what they are buying and in what order. A process page removes that uncertainty and filters out enquiries that do not fit.
- Initial meeting and site visit: what you need from the client and what they get.
- Sketch and concept phase, with the number of options you normally present.
- Building permit drawings and contact with the municipality's planning office.
- Construction documents and procurement support, if you offer them.
- Follow-up during construction, and what that involvement costs in time.
Be honest about constraints: that permit timelines depend on the municipality, that budget and ambition must be discussed early, and which project types you do not take on. That honesty is itself a trust signal.
Image-heavy pages that stay fast
Architecture photography is large by nature, and a project page with twenty full-resolution images can weigh more than a small app. Visitors on a phone will not wait for it, and Google measures the delay.
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Original camera files uploaded directly | Export for web and let the site generate several sizes per image |
| JPEG only | Serve WebP or AVIF with a fallback |
| Every image loads at once | Lazy-load everything below the first screen |
| Hero image is slow to appear | Load the first image with high priority and the right dimensions |
| Heavy slideshow scripts | Use a simple scrolling layout instead of a carousel plugin |
Our guide to image optimisation explains each fix in more detail, so you can brief or check the work yourself.
Enquiry routes for private and commercial clients
Private clients
Ask about property type, location, what they want to change, rough budget and timeline. Offer a short first meeting, and state whether it is free.
Commercial and public clients
Give a named contact, your organisation number, relevant references and how you participate in procurement. They need to verify you quickly.
Collaborators
Engineers, contractors and other practices want a direct email and phone, not a form.
A single form with a choice at the top that changes the follow-up questions works well. Keep it short; the first meeting is where details belong.
Competitions and credentials
Competition entries, awards and publications carry weight, but only when they are verifiable. Link to the competition organiser or the publication, name the year, and describe your role honestly if you worked as part of a team or at a previous office. Membership of Sveriges Arkitekter and any certifications belong on the about page, with the people behind the practice.
When you do not need a new site: if your current site already has clear project pages, loads fast and your work comes mainly from referrals, spend the effort on writing three good case stories rather than a redesign. If the site does need rebuilding, our business website launch covers structure, content and image handling, with prices on the pricing page. A short call will tell you which case you are in.
Frequently asked questions
How many projects should an architect's website show?
Fewer than you think. Three to six well-told case pages plus a compact gallery usually persuade better than thirty projects with a caption each. Choose projects that resemble the work you want more of.
Can we show projects from a previous employer?
Only with care. Say clearly that the work was done at another office and what your role was, and check that you have permission to use the photographs. Misattributed work is quickly noticed in a small profession.
Do we need a blog or news section?
Not unless you will update it. An old news page signals inactivity. Project stories and a process page do the same job and age better.
Which platform is best for an image-heavy site?
Any platform that generates multiple image sizes and modern formats automatically will work. The choice matters less than the image handling and a layout that does not rely on heavy slideshow plugins.
Plan your practice's website
Bring two or three projects you are proud of. In 15 minutes we will sketch how they could be told, and what the site around them needs.
Book a free 15-minute call