The verdict in three sentences
For an Amsterdam architecture practice targeting public and private clients, a portfolio website costs 15,000 to 38,000 EUR in 2026, delivered in 6 to 9 weeks. The value lies in 20 to 40 structured project pages (brief, floor area, budget, the practice's role) and in WebP images under 200 KB that load quickly, even on a weak mobile connection. 3D tours, at about 2,500 EUR per project, should be reserved for the 3 to 5 projects that carry your tender submissions.
What a client looks for on an architect's website
A project director at a municipality, a housing corporation or a developer checks your site before a shortlist or after a tender submission. They look for references comparable to their brief, figures and proof that you deliver. A gallery of beautiful images without context is not enough.
| Project page element | Why it matters | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Brief and client | Show comparable references | Office headquarters, public client |
| Floor area and construction cost | Prove you handle the scale | 4,800 m², 9.5 million EUR |
| Scope of the practice | Clarify the actual role | Design + site supervision |
| Status and year | Separate competitions, studies and completed | Completed in 2025 |
| 8 to 15 optimised visuals | Perceived quality without slowness | WebP, under 200 KB each |
| Simplified plans and sections | Show rigour | 2 to 3 sheets as light PDFs |
| 3D tour (option) | Immersion for flagship projects | About 2,500 EUR per project |
Filtering by type (offices, public buildings, housing, hospitality) and by status (competition, in progress, completed) lets visitors jump straight to the relevant references.
2026 budgets and timelines in Amsterdam
| Package | Scope | Budget (EUR) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential portfolio | 8 pages + 20 project pages + filters | 15,000 to 20,000 | 6 weeks |
| Reference portfolio | 30 project pages + competitions page + news + NL/EN | 22,000 to 29,000 | 7 to 8 weeks |
| Premium portfolio | 40 project pages + 3 3D tours + motion + press area | 31,000 to 38,000 | 9 weeks |
| Additional 3D tour | Per project, from existing models | About 2,500 | 1 week |
| Hosting with CDN | Fast image delivery | 900 to 1,500 per year | Recurring |
| Maintenance | New projects, updates | 300 to 700 per month | Recurring |
The main schedule risk is content collection: professional photography, project data sheets and client permission to publish certain public references. Allow 3 weeks to gather them.
Performance: an architect's site must be beautiful and fast
Architecture websites are among the heaviest on the web, with photos of 5 to 8 MB. Even in the Netherlands, visitors on mobile data abandon a 25 MB page before it finishes loading.
| Indicator | Typical architect site | Kolonell target |
|---|---|---|
| Project page weight | 20 to 40 MB | 2 to 3 MB |
| Average image weight | 3 to 6 MB JPEG | Under 200 KB WebP |
| First visual on mobile | 6 to 10 s | Under 2.5 s |
| Mobile Lighthouse score | 30 to 50 | Above 90 |
| Mobile bounce rate | 60 to 70 % | 35 to 45 % |
Mini case study
Pieter, partner at a 12-person practice in Amsterdam, picks the Reference portfolio at 26,000 EUR plus 2 3D tours at 2,500 EUR each, 31,000 EUR in total. The practice answers 10 tenders a year with a 20 % success rate, so 2 commissions.
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If a credible site lifts that rate to 30 %, the practice wins 1 more commission a year. On a project with 2.5 million EUR of construction cost and fees of 10 %, that means 250,000 EUR in fees. Even on a cautious assumption, the site pays for itself with the first tender it helps win.
FAQ
How much does an architecture practice website cost in Amsterdam in 2026?
Between 15,000 and 38,000 EUR depending on the number of project pages and options. The package with 30 projects and a bilingual version sits around 22,000 to 29,000 EUR.
How many projects should we publish?
20 to 40 references are enough. Twenty complete pages with floor area, cost and scope beat 60 image galleries without context.
Are 3D tours worth the price?
At about 2,500 EUR per project, they make sense for 3 to 5 flagship projects shown in competitions or meetings. Visitors spend 2 to 4 minutes in them on average.
How do we keep image quality without slowing the site?
Convert to WebP or AVIF, serve several sizes by screen and lazy-load. A 5 MB image drops under 200 KB without visible loss.
Can we publish projects built for public clients?
Yes, with written permission from the client for visuals and figures. Request these approvals in week 1 so they do not delay launch.
Let's scope your project. Send us your list of references and target clients: we will price the portfolio, 3D tours and bilingual version, with a delivery schedule. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
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.
