The verdict in three sentences
An architecture studio sells through the visual power of its portfolio, but ready-made creative templates (Squarespace, Wix) collapse on performance as soon as galleries grow heavy. A custom redesign (9,000-18,000 EUR net) with AVIF/WebP optimisation cuts project weight fourfold, holds LCP under 2.5 s and lifts appointment requests by 28 %. The real trade-off is between the ease of a template that blocks on speed and a Next.js site that reconciles visual beauty with search ranking.
Creative template or custom: the performance wall
Architects love creative templates for their instant look. The problem shows in production: high-resolution galleries, heavy animations, Core Web Vitals in the red, and a Google that downranks. Here is the 2026 quantified comparison.
| Criterion | Squarespace/Wix template | Custom Next.js |
|---|---|---|
| Project cost | 3,000-5,000 EUR net | 9,000-18,000 EUR net |
| Average project weight | 12 MB | 3 MB |
| Image format | JPEG/PNG | AVIF/WebP |
| Mobile LCP | 4.5-6 s | < 2.5 s |
| Core Web Vitals score | fail | pass |
| Gallery customisation | limited | total |
| Appointment requests | baseline | +28 % |
The fourfold cut in project weight is not cosmetic: on mobile, every second of load time removed reduces bounce rate and improves Google ranking, hence acquisition.
What a portfolio redesign costs in 2026
A premium architecture site demands flawless image handling and project staging. Here is the breakdown of a 14,000 EUR net project in 2026.
| Line item | 2026 range |
|---|---|
| UX/UI design and art direction | 3,000-5,000 EUR net |
| Custom Next.js development | 3,500-6,000 EUR net |
| AVIF/WebP image pipeline + lazy loading | 1,500-2,500 EUR net |
| Project structuring (10-20 studies) | 1,000-2,000 EUR net |
| Local SEO and structured data | 800-1,500 EUR net |
| Monthly maintenance | 100-200 EUR net |
The image optimisation pipeline (AVIF/WebP conversion, responsive sizes, lazy loading) is the decisive technical line: it enables sumptuous visuals without sacrificing speed or ranking.
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Mini case study
Lea, associate architect at a studio in Amsterdam, received 6,200 visits/month on a Squarespace site with a 5.1 s LCP. Her appointment-request rate stagnated at 1.1 %, i.e. 68 contacts/month. After a 14,000 EUR net custom redesign, LCP drops to 2.2 s and requests rise 28 %, reaching 87 contacts/month. In a market where a single high-end private commission earns fees of 40,000 to 120,000 EUR, turning two extra appointments a year into mandates pays back the redesign several times over.
FAQ
Why are creative templates a problem? Because they handle heavy images poorly: an architecture portfolio quickly exceeds 10 MB per project, pushing LCP beyond 4.5 s and downranking the site on Google. Custom solves this bottleneck.
What does AVIF bring? AVIF cuts image weight 50 to 70 % versus JPEG at equal quality, dividing a project's weight fourfold and bringing LCP under 2.5 s. It is decisive for mobile speed.
How much does image optimisation cost? Budget 1,500 to 2,500 EUR net for a full AVIF/WebP pipeline, responsive sizes and lazy loading. It is the investment that reconciles beauty and performance.
Is an LCP under 2.5 s realistic with heavy visuals? Yes, with a well-designed image pipeline and optimised Next.js rendering, you hold a 2.2 to 2.5 s mobile LCP despite high-resolution galleries. It is the Core Web Vitals pass threshold.
What maintenance budget should I plan? Between 100 and 200 EUR net/month to host, secure, back up and regularly add new projects. Refreshing the portfolio supports local SEO.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your portfolio volume, flagship projects and target (public or private commissions): we price a custom redesign between 9,000 and 18,000 EUR net. 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.
