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

The verdict in three sentences

A heritage and conservation architecture practice in Wellington sells a rare skill: strengthening an old building against earthquakes without destroying what gives it value, and the website must show this with projects documented before, during and after the works. A Wellington agency is the better fit if you need archives digitised, sensitive sites photographed and consultation pages organised with owners, body corporates or iwi. If your material already exists, a remote studio produces a restrained, rigorous and fast site in 3 to 4 weeks, at a three-year cost several times lower.

Why is a heritage architect's website different?

Clients of a heritage practice are not shopping for an aesthetic signature. They are body corporates of 1920s buildings flagged as earthquake-prone, owners of villas in Thorndon or Mount Victoria, cultural institutions and councils. They want to understand your method, your strengthening references and your ability to secure consents. The site therefore has to combine three kinds of content: chronological project pages, method pages (survey, assessment, strengthening strategy) and publications such as conservation plans or articles.

Be careful with archive images: an old photograph is not automatically free to use, and libraries and heritage collections each apply their own reuse terms. Keep a simple register: source, licence, credit to display.

Which budget should you compare over three years?

The figures below are a 2026 ballpark based on public local agency rate pages and typical agency quotes in Wellington. Local providers invoice in New Zealand dollars; Kolonell invoices in US dollars.

For a heritage practice, Starter at USD 2,900 is enough if you have fewer than 10 projects and few publications. Growth at USD 4,900 adds filters by period and building type, a document library and a qualifying form. Premium at USD 8,900 suits practices that want a genuinely bilingual site and long case studies with timelines. What each plan includes is set out on the international offer.

When does proximity really make the difference?

Frankly, for some Wellington heritage practices the local agency is the best choice. That is the case if your best projects have never been professionally photographed and the buildings are occupied, with access to negotiate building by building. It is also the case if you are preparing a consultation site for a public project, with neighbourhood meetings and frequent updates, or if your relationship with iwi partners calls for content work done in person.

A remote studio suits practices whose images and core copy exist, whose need is to structure and showcase, and where someone can supply material within 10 days. Before signing, ask these questions:

• How do you present a before, during, after sequence without heavy pages on mobile?
• Does the CMS handle PDF documents with title, date, summary and accessible download?
• Where is form data hosted, and how long is it kept?
• How are image credits and licences displayed and kept up to date?
• Which accessibility level is delivered, and how is it tested?

Which rules apply to the website in New Zealand?

The title registered architect is protected under the Registered Architects Act 2005 and the register is kept by the NZRAB, so each team member's qualifications must be stated accurately, especially heritage specialists who are not architects. Claims about a project (a building "brought up to code", a percentage of New Building Standard achieved) must be accurate: the Fair Trading Act 1986 prohibits misleading representations. For a building on the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga List, state its status precisely and without implying an approval you do not hold. The Privacy Act 2020 applies to your enquiry form whatever the size of the practice, and WCAG 2.2 AA remains the accessibility target. This is not legal advice.

Mini case study

Illustrative example: Sophie, principal of a 4-person Thorndon practice specialising in seismic strengthening of historic buildings, receives a local quote of NZD 24,000 with NZD 500 a month for maintenance. She has archives for 11 projects and recent photography for 7.

Agency over three years: 24,000 + 36 × 500 = NZD 42,000. Kolonell Growth at USD 4,900, roughly NZD 8,300 depending on the rate, plus NZD 2,000 for te reo Māori translation and NZD 1,500 a year of changes after the 3 months of support: about NZD 14,800. The saving of about NZD 27,200 covers professional photography of her 4 remaining projects and part of the archive digitisation. Sophie would choose the agency if she had to run an online public consultation.

FAQ

Can we publish archive photos found online?

Only if the licence allows it and with the requested credit. Allow 15 to 30 minutes of checking per image and keep a source register.

Do we need pages in te reo Māori?

It is not mandatory for a private practice, but it is valued on public projects or with iwi partners. Budget NZD 1,000 to 3,000 to translate 4 to 6 key pages.

How long does it take to launch the site?

Plan on 3 to 4 weeks with Kolonell if archives and copy are ready, versus 8 to 14 weeks typically for a Wellington agency.

How does follow-up work with a remote studio?

A project manager reachable in your Wellington working hours, a 30-minute weekly check-in and 3 months of support included after launch.

Which plan suits 15 projects and 10 publications?

Growth at USD 4,900 usually covers that volume with filters and a document library. To confirm, request a free quote.

Let's scope your project. A heritage practice site with before/after project pages, a document library and a qualifying form typically scopes between USD 2,900 and 8,900, delivered in 3 to 4 weeks. See the international offer or request a free quote: detailed reply within 48 hours.