The verdict in three sentences
For an architecture firm in Zurich, the website serves three audiences: private and institutional clients, competition juries and partners, and the candidates you want to hire. A local web agency makes sense if your visual identity still needs building, if you want a designer beside you for every project layout, and if the site must be written primarily in German with real finesse. If your identity exists, your architectural photographers are in place and you want a fast, bilingual site that is easy to update, a remote studio is enough and costs far less over 3 years.
Which criteria matter for an architect's website?
An architecture website is not a standard brochure site. Images do most of the work, but they must stay fast on mobile, project pages must hold plans, sections and photo credits, and your team must publish a new project without calling the provider.
| Criterion | Local Zurich agency | Remote studio | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art direction and identity | Strong, often their core skill | Good if the identity already exists | Typography and grid tell the firm's story |
| Native German copy (Swiss spelling) | Yes | Check it, often needs review | Project texts, competitions, careers |
| Native English copy | Variable | Often yes | International clients, juries, publications |
| Heavy image handling | Variable | Variable | A 40-image gallery must load fast |
| Publishing autonomy (CMS) | Check it | Check it | New project live in under 30 minutes |
| Time zone and meetings | On site | Video, check the overlap | Mock-up sign-off |
| Ownership of code, domain, content | Clause to require | Clause to require | Switch providers without starting over |
One point specific to German-speaking Switzerland: German texts must follow Swiss spelling (no ß), and the tone must feel right to a Zurich client. If nobody at the firm can proofread, this criterion carries a lot of weight.
When is the Zurich agency the better choice?
To be honest, a local agency wins when the website is part of a full brand repositioning, with a new logo, typography, stationery and site hoardings. It also wins if you want in-person workshops with the partners, or need a partner who can organise shoots of your buildings across the region.
A remote studio fits when your identity is stable and documented, your architectural photographers already deliver quality images, and your priority is a faster site, better structured for competitions and recruitment, that your team can publish to. Kolonell works on this model: a project manager reachable in your time zone, native English or French copywriting, and delivery in 3 to 4 weeks.
What does each option cost over 3 years?
2026 ballpark, based on typical Zurich agency quotes and public studio rate pages. Architectural photography is excluded, as it is the same either way.
| Item (3 years) | Local Zurich agency | Remote studio (Kolonell) |
|---|---|---|
| Design and development | CHF 20,000 to 55,000 | CHF 4,500 (Growth) or CHF 8,200 (Premium) |
| Layout of the first 20 projects | CHF 3,000 to 10,000 | Included in the agreed scope |
| Hosting and maintenance | CHF 4,500 to 12,000 | CHF 1,800 to 4,500 |
| Changes (competitions, careers, publications) | CHF 3,000 to 9,000 | CHF 1,500 to 4,000 |
| External German proofreading | Included | CHF 800 to 2,500 if needed |
| Indicative total | CHF 30,500 to 86,000 | CHF 8,600 to 19,200 |
Kolonell's Swiss franc packages: Starter CHF 2,700, Growth CHF 4,500, Premium CHF 8,200, with 3 months of support. Custom applications (a client extranet, for example) and SEO are quoted separately. Full details on the international offer page.
Decision checklist
- Is your visual identity stable? If not, look at a local agency first.
- Who writes and proofreads the German copy?
- How long does it take to publish a project with 30 images, plans and credits?
- Are the domain, hosting and code in the firm's name?
- Do forms (contact, job applications) comply with the revised Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection (nFADP), and the GDPR if you target clients in the European Union? This is not legal advice.
- Does the site target WCAG 2.1 AA, with alt text on project images?
- Do your architectural photo licences cover web and social media use?
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Mini case study
Illustrative example: Lea, partner at a 14-person firm in Kreis 5 focused on housing and conversions of existing buildings. Her identity was redone two years ago. She compares a local quote of CHF 42,000 plus CHF 300 a month with a Kolonell Premium quote of CHF 8,200 plus CHF 110 a month, adding CHF 2,000 for German proofreading.
Over 3 years: 42,000 + 36 × 300 = CHF 52,800 versus 8,200 + 2,000 + 36 × 110 = CHF 14,160. The gap of about CHF 38,600 pays for a full photo campaign of her six latest buildings. Lea picks the remote studio but keeps her usual graphic designer to sign off the typographic grid.
FAQ
Can a remote studio respect an existing visual identity?
Yes, if you supply brand guidelines with typefaces, grid and colours. Expect 1 to 2 rounds of mock-ups, about one week.
How do you keep an architecture site fast with heavy images?
Modern formats (WebP or AVIF), lazy loading and screen-appropriate sizes. Aim for under 2.5 seconds mobile load time on a project page.
Do we need German and English?
In Zurich, almost always: German for local clients, English for international competitions and recruitment. Budget roughly 20% more content effort for the second language.
How long does launch take?
3 to 4 weeks with a remote studio if projects and images are ready, often 10 to 16 weeks with a local agency that also redoes the identity.
How do I get an estimate?
List the number of projects to publish, your languages and needs (careers, publications) in the free quote form. Detailed reply within 48 hours.
Let's scope your project. A bilingual portfolio site for a Zurich architecture firm, with in-house project publishing, from CHF 4,500 and live in 3 to 4 weeks. See the international offer or request a free quote: detailed reply within 48 hours.
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.
