The verdict in three sentences
A portfolio redesign for an architecture studio costs between 9,000 and 24,000 EUR (excl. VAT) in 2026, depending on visual immersion and the number of projects to integrate. Budget 6 to 10 weeks, serious image optimization (AVIF) to target an LCP < 2 s on mobile, and maintenance of 120 to 280 EUR/month. The technical challenge specific to architecture: reconciling very heavy images with loading speed.
The architect's portfolio paradox
An architecture studio sells through images: renders, site photos, plans, walkthroughs. Yet these visuals are heavy and penalize speed, hence SEO and conversion. The whole value of a redesign lies in solving this paradox: spectacular images AND a fast site, thanks to AVIF, lazy loading and a CDN.
| Line item | 2026 range (EUR excl. VAT) | Stake |
|---|---|---|
| Art direction + UI | 2,500 - 6,500 | visual immersion |
| Build + animations | 2,500 - 6,000 | smoothness, transitions |
| AVIF image optimization | 1,200 - 3,000 | mobile speed |
| Project CMS | 1,800 - 4,500 | publish without a dev |
| SEO + performance QA | 1,000 - 4,000 | Core Web Vitals |
Speed impact on conversion
Speed is not a technical whim: it directly drives the contact rate. Here is the 2026 order of magnitude observed between a slow portfolio and an optimized one.
| Metric | Slow portfolio | Optimized portfolio |
|---|---|---|
| Average project page weight | 8-12 MB | 1.5-2.5 MB |
| Mobile LCP | 4.5 s | < 2 s |
| Mobile bounce rate | 58% | 38% |
| Contact rate | 1.4% | 2.6% |
| Projects viewed / session | 1.8 | 3.4 |
| Lighthouse perf score | 42 | 92+ |
Mini case study
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Julie, principal of an architecture studio in Montpellier (7 staff). Her old site had 10 MB project pages, a 4.5 s mobile LCP and a 1.4% contact rate on 1,500 monthly visitors, i.e. about 21 requests per month. She invests 16,000 EUR (excl. VAT) in a redesign with AVIF optimization and a CMS. LCP drops under 2 s, the contact rate rises to 2.6%, i.e. 39 requests per month for equivalent traffic: +18 contacts/month. At a 12% conversion rate and an average engagement billed at 9,500 EUR in fees, these extra contacts represent about 2 more engagements per year, well above the investment.
FAQ
How to keep beautiful images without slowing the site? The AVIF format cuts weight by 50-80% at equal quality, combined with lazy loading and a CDN. A portfolio can thus stay spectacular while loading in under 2 seconds.
Is a CMS really needed for a small studio? Yes if you publish new projects regularly: a CMS makes you self-sufficient and avoids paying the agency for each addition. The investment pays off by the 4th or 5th published project.
Why does LCP matter so much? LCP (Largest Contentful Paint) measures how long the largest visible element takes to display. Below 2 s it improves both SEO and contact rate; above 4 s it drives mobile visitors away.
What maintenance budget for a portfolio? Budget 120 to 280 EUR/month for security, updates and occasional feature additions. It is the minimum to preserve performance over time.
How many projects can be featured? Technically as many as you want, but 12 to 20 well-chosen projects convert better than an exhaustive catalog. Curation is part of the site's value.
Let's scope your project. Tell us the number of projects to integrate, your visual ambition and indicative budget, and we'll frame the redesign. 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.
