Local agency or remote studio for an architecture firm website in Luxembourg: how to choose (2026)

The verdict in three sentences

For an architecture firm in Luxembourg, the website is first a portfolio that must hold its own against the best European references, in French, German and English. A Luxembourg agency is worth it if the site is part of a full identity overhaul or calls for a bespoke interactive experience, while a remote studio delivers a fast portfolio, a project template and a simple CMS very well in 3 to 4 weeks. Either way, settle in writing ownership of the code and domain, and above all the rights to your project photography.

Which criteria matter for an architecture firm?

A Luxembourg firm's clients include developers, public contracting authorities, communes, cross-border private clients and the European institutions on Kirchberg. The site serves three precise purposes: winning over a jury or a client before a competition or tender, recruiting architects in a tight market, and reassuring a private client about style and method. Every selection criterion should be read through those purposes.

The local ranges reflect typical quotes and public rate pages of agencies in the Grand Duchy. A freelancer specialising in architects' sites often charges EUR 5,000 to 12,000.

When is a Luxembourg agency the better choice?

To be frank: if your firm wants a highly distinctive editorial experience (spatial navigation, interactive 3D models, complex scroll animation), a local or European creative agency used to such projects will bring more than an efficiency-focused studio. The same goes if the site accompanies a new visual identity, an exhibition or a monograph, or if the partners want to co-design every screen in workshops. And if the German or Luxembourgish version must be written natively with public procurement vocabulary, a local writer remains preferable.

A remote studio is enough when you need an elegant, very fast portfolio, one page per project with a fact sheet (programme, floor area, client, status, awards), a competitions page, a careers page and a CMS that lets the team add a project in 20 minutes. That is exactly the scope of the Kolonell international offer: Starter EUR 2,700, Growth EUR 4,500, Premium EUR 8,200, with native French or English copywriting, a project manager in your time zone, delivery in 3 to 4 weeks and 3 months of support.

Which technical and regulatory points should you check?

Photos. Architectural photographers generally keep their copyright and grant a usage licence. Check that the licence covers the web, social media and bid documents for the lifetime of the site. A website should never become the reason for a dispute with a photographer.

Page weight. A poorly optimised portfolio quickly exceeds 15 MB per page. A reasonable target is under 2 MB on first load on mobile, using AVIF or WebP, screen-appropriate sizes and lazy loading.

Rules. GDPR applies, overseen by the CNPD: a privacy notice, consent for analytics cookies, secure contact and application forms, and a retention period for CVs. Architects' communications are framed by the OAI's professional ethics rules: stay factual about references and state your exact role in each project (lead architect, partner, competition entry). On accessibility, legal duties mainly target public bodies, but your public clients will appreciate a site that meets WCAG 2.1 AA. This is not legal advice.

Maintenance beyond the 3 included months is quoted separately; the figure above is an assumption.

Questions to ask both providers: how does the CMS handle a project with 30 images? What average weight per project page do you commit to? Who holds the .lu domain? Can the site be exported if we change provider? What does an extra language cost?

Mini case study

Illustrative example: Anne Weber, partner in a 12-architect firm in Gasperich, wants a trilingual site with 35 projects and a competitions section. The local agency quotes EUR 24,000, Kolonell Premium EUR 8,200. Over 3 years, the estimated gap is EUR 18,540. The firm bills an average of EUR 95 an hour: the gap equals roughly 195 hours of production. Anne picks the studio for the website and will later hire a local agency for a presentation film for a major competition.

FAQ

Can a remote studio run a site in three languages?

Yes, with native French and English copywriting and a specialist German translation, usually EUR 1,000 to 2,000 for a portfolio. Luxembourgish remains rare on architects' sites.

How many projects should go live at launch?

Twenty to forty well-documented projects beat a hundred thumbnails. Then add two to four projects per quarter through the CMS.

Do we need to buy back rights to existing photos?

Not necessarily, but check each licence: an extended usage right often costs EUR 200 to 800 per series. Keep a written record per project.

Must the site meet accessibility standards?

A private firm is generally not bound, but targeting WCAG 2.1 AA costs little at design stage and reassures public clients. Allow 5 to 10% of the budget for an audit.

How long for a 35-project portfolio?

With a studio, 3 to 4 weeks once images and text are supplied. With a local agency, often 10 to 16 weeks.

To compare against your own brief, request a free quote.

Let's scope your project. A trilingual architecture portfolio with a CMS and project pages, budget EUR 2,700 to 8,200, delivered in 3 to 4 weeks. See the international offer or request a free quote: detailed reply within 48 hours.