Data protection and accessibility for an architecture firm website in Dublin: what to require (2026)

The verdict in three sentences

An architecture firm website in Dublin handles more personal data than partners tend to think: enquiry forms, CVs from graduates, client names in project captions and people in site photos. Before you sign with any provider, require seven written deliverables on data protection and a WCAG 2.2 AA target with an accessibility statement, which matters most if you bid for public sector frameworks. Budget roughly €2,700 to €8,200 on Kolonell's fixed grid, or €8,000 to €45,000 with a Dublin agency, plus a third-party audit if a tender asks for one.

What should an architecture practice require on data protection?

Practices in the Docklands, Ranelagh, Smithfield or Dún Laoghaire work on homes, offices, conservation projects and public buildings. The website collects data through several channels, and the GDPR together with the Irish Data Protection Act 2018 applies to all of them. The Data Protection Commission (DPC) is the supervisory authority, and its 2020 guidance on cookies under the ePrivacy Regulations 2011 is the practical reference for your banner.

Sector points that are easy to miss. Project captions that name private clients, interior photos showing family belongings, and planning documents with neighbours' details should not be published without consent. Site photos with identifiable workers or residents need either consent or careful cropping. The title "architect" is protected in Ireland and the RIAI is the registration body under the Building Control Act 2007, so the team page should describe each person's status accurately. This is not legal advice.

What should you require on accessibility?

The European Accessibility Act has applied in Ireland since 28 June 2025, mainly to certain consumer products and services such as e-commerce and banking. A practice's brochure site is generally not in scope, but do not assume: if you sell anything online, check. Public bodies are covered by separate web accessibility rules, and public sector frameworks and tenders may ask suppliers to show WCAG 2.1 AA compliance. Aiming for WCAG 2.2 AA from the start costs little and keeps you ready for tender questionnaires.

Concretely, require: text alternatives for every project image (not just "image 1"), sufficient contrast over photography, keyboard-accessible galleries and filters, captions on video walkthroughs, accessible PDF portfolios or an HTML alternative, visible focus states, and an accessibility statement listing known limits and a contact. Ask for an automated scan report plus a short manual check before launch.

What does it cost in Dublin, and what does Kolonell include?

2026 ballpark figures from typical Dublin agency quotes and public rate pages; ranges, not a survey.

Every tier includes a project manager reachable on Irish hours, native English or French copywriting, delivery in 3 to 4 weeks and 3 months of support; consent banner, privacy notice draft, data map and an accessibility statement draft are built into the delivery. Maintenance after the first 3 months is on quote. See the international offer for tier details.

When a Dublin agency is the better choice. If you are preparing a major public sector bid and want the agency to attend clarification meetings, or you need an in-house accessibility specialist on retainer, a local firm with that expertise is worth its higher fee.

Mini case study

Illustrative example: Niamh Kavanagh is a partner at a fictional nine-person practice in Smithfield. The site receives about 120 CVs a year and 25 project enquiries a month. She sets a 12-month retention rule for CVs, removes three unnecessary fields from the enquiry form and asks for a WCAG 2.2 AA target to answer a framework questionnaire. Costs: Growth at €4,500, an independent audit at €2,000 and a solicitor review at €800 (both third-party), so €7,300. Her local quote was €19,000 with the audit included, a gap of €11,700. The practice spends part of it on new photography of two conservation projects.

FAQ

Does the European Accessibility Act apply to an architecture firm website?

Generally not, since it targets certain consumer services such as e-commerce, in force in Ireland since 28 June 2025. Public sector tenders may still require WCAG 2.1 AA, so a 2.2 AA target is a sensible default.

How long should we keep CVs submitted through the site?

Set a fixed period, often 6 to 12 months, and tell candidates in the privacy notice. Longer retention needs a clear reason or consent.

Do we need a cookie banner if we only use analytics?

In most cases yes, because analytics cookies are not strictly necessary. Under the DPC's guidance, rejecting must be as easy as accepting, with no tracking before a choice.

Who should sign the data processing agreement?

Your practice signs with the web provider and the host, under GDPR Article 28. It should list sub-processors and a breach alert time, ideally within 24 hours, so you can meet the 72-hour notification rule.

Is an accessibility audit included in the Kolonell price?

An automated scan and manual checks are part of the build from Starter at €2,700. A formal independent audit for a tender is a third-party cost, typically €1,500 to €5,000.

To scope your requirements, request a free quote with your forms, recruitment process and any tender questionnaire.

Let's scope your project. A Dublin practice site with consent, data map and WCAG 2.2 AA target, from €4,500, delivered in 3 to 4 weeks. See the international offer or request a free quote: detailed reply within 48 hours.