The verdict in three sentences
An architecture firm website redesign in Brussels becomes urgent when the portfolio takes more than 5 seconds to appear, the Dutch version is two years behind the French one, or the site no longer shows the work the practice actually does today. Brussels studios typically quote EUR 12,000 to 45,000 for this kind of redesign in 2026, against a Kolonell fixed grid of EUR 2,700 (Starter), EUR 4,500 (Growth) and EUR 8,200 (Premium), delivered in 3 to 4 weeks once photos and copy are ready. The two most expensive risks are losing well-ranked project pages and migrating a portfolio without optimizing the images.
Which signs tell you a redesign is due?
- Project pages load 5 to 10 MB photos, and mobile visitors leave before the second image.
- Recent work (townhouse renovations in Ixelles or Saint-Gilles, housing in Uccle, offices in the European Quarter) is missing from the site.
- Dutch and French versions say different things, or one language exists only on the home page.
- The architect title and registration with the Order of Architects are not presented correctly for each partner.
- The contact form asks for budget and property address without saying why.
- The CMS cannot add a project without a developer.
If three or more apply, a redesign will cost less than a string of fixes.
What budget should you plan in Brussels in 2026?
2026 ballpark from typical agency quotes and public rate pages, not a survey.
| Option | 2026 ballpark | Typical timeline | Watch point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freelancer | EUR 3,000 to 9,000 | 4 to 10 weeks | Often only one language delivered |
| Brussels design studio | EUR 12,000 to 25,000 | 8 to 14 weeks | Custom design, translations sometimes extra |
| Full brand agency | EUR 25,000 to 45,000 | 12 to 20 weeks | Identity, print, long engagement |
| Kolonell Starter | EUR 2,700 | 3 to 4 weeks | Compact site, one language, light portfolio |
| Kolonell Growth | EUR 4,500 | 3 to 4 weeks | Full filterable portfolio, news, analytics |
| Kolonell Premium | EUR 8,200 | 3 to 4 weeks | Premium (the multilingual tier, languages set in the quote), advanced animation |
Every tier includes a project manager reachable in the Brussels time zone, native English or French copywriting, delivery in 3 to 4 weeks and 3 months of support. A native Dutch review by an independent translator, if requested outside Premium, is a third-party cost. Details are on the international offer page.
What stays on quote: client area or site-progress extranet, connection to project management software, 3D virtual tours, feeds to publishing platforms, custom applications and SEO work.
How long does the redesign take, phase by phase?
| Phase | Kolonell | Typical local studio | What the firm provides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audit, URL inventory, Search Console export | Days 1 to 3 | 1 to 2 weeks | Site and Search Console access |
| Project and photo selection | Before kickoff | 2 to 6 weeks | 12 to 30 projects, photo rights checked |
| Design and portfolio structure | Week 1 | 3 to 4 weeks | Partner approval |
| Copy, build, image optimization | Weeks 2 to 3 | 3 to 6 weeks | Project sheets reviewed |
| Language versions | Weeks 2 to 3 | 2 to 4 weeks | Dutch and English review |
| Wording review and go-live | Week 4 | 1 to 2 weeks | Final sign-off |
The 3 to 4 weeks start once the project selection is final. Choosing photos is almost always the longest step for an architecture practice.
Which risks should you watch, and how do you counter them?
| Risk | Likelihood | Impact | Counter-measure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Well-ranked project pages lost | High without a plan | High | URL inventory, 301 redirect map, Search Console checks on day 1 and day 14 |
| Portfolio too heavy | High | High on mobile | WebP or AVIF, 200 to 400 KB per image, lazy loading |
| Languages out of sync | Medium | Medium | Single FR, NL, EN content file approved before build |
| Missing photo rights or credits | Medium | Medium | List of photographers and permissions per project |
| Inaccurate professional wording | Low | High | Partners review the title and Order registration |
| Form data | Medium | Medium | Purpose, retention and consent in line with the GDPR |
| Downtime at switchover | Low | Medium | Evening switch, DNS TTL lowered 48 hours before |
The architect title is protected in Belgium: give it only to people who hold it. Content on energy performance (PEB/EPB) or planning stays descriptive, with no promise on permit timelines. The GDPR and the Data Protection Authority (APD/GBA) govern your forms. This is not legal advice.
Questions to ask the provider: Will you deliver a written redirect map? What maximum weight per image do you commit to? Who writes the Dutch? Are domain and hosting in our name? What does support cost after the included period?
When is a Brussels agency still the better choice?
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
If the redesign comes with a new visual identity, a printed monograph or an exhibition, a local agency working in the studio with your partners brings more. The same goes for monthly site photography directed by the agency, or a complex client extranet from day one.
Mini case study
Illustrative example, not a client. Sophie runs "Atelier Verhaegen Lambert", a hypothetical 7-person practice in Ixelles focused on townhouse renovation, with a growing English-speaking clientele from the European institutions.
- Portfolio: 25 projects, 15 images each, so 375 images. At 6 MB per image the portfolio weighs about 2.25 GB; optimized to 300 KB, about 112 MB, 20 times less.
- Kolonell Premium (the multilingual tier, languages set in the quote: French, Dutch, English): EUR 8,200.
- Brussels studio quote for the same scope: EUR 26,000.
- Gap: 26,000 minus 8,200 = EUR 17,800, live in 4 weeks once photos are chosen.
FAQ
How long does an architecture firm redesign take with Kolonell?
Plan 3 to 4 weeks once the project and photo selection is final. Local studios often quote 8 to 14 weeks.
Do we need French and Dutch?
For a Brussels practice it is strongly advisable, and English helps with the international clientele of the European Quarter. All three languages fall under Premium at EUR 8,200, languages set in the quote.
What weight should portfolio images target?
Aim for 200 to 400 KB per image in WebP or AVIF, with lazy loading. A 15-image project page then stays under 6 MB.
Can we show projects still on site?
Yes, with the client's consent and without a precise address if they prefer. Kolonell never invents projects, clients or prices.
Is a client extranet included?
No, it stays on quote in all three tiers, from EUR 2,700 to 8,200. The site can link to your existing tool.
To compare, request a free quote with your project list.
Let's scope your project. Send your number of projects, languages and target date, and we will reply with a tier between EUR 2,700 and 8,200 and a 3 to 4 week schedule. See the international offer or request a free quote: detailed reply within 48 hours.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
