Architects Design Beautiful Spaces. Their Websites Are Empty Rooms.

Construction · 368 sites audited · March 22, 2026

50

AISO Score

35

AEO

83

SEO

52

Readability

41

Engagement

The State of Architecture / Design Websites

A developer asks ChatGPT: "Best architecture firms for sustainable multifamily projects." Your firm has won awards for exactly this work. But your website is a portfolio of images with no project data or structured content. Across 368 architecture and design firm sites, the average AISO score is 50/100. SEO averages 83. AEO sits at 35.

Engagement scores 41 and readability reaches 52. A total of 43% fall below 50. Architects create stunning visual work. Their websites need equally strong content structure.

Schema markup is absent from 28% of architecture firm websites. Without structured data about project types and expertise, AI cannot recommend your firm for relevant design queries.

Why This Matters for Architecture / Design

Architecture is defined as the art and science of designing buildings and spaces that are functional, safe, and aesthetically meaningful. Firms compete on design quality and sector expertise. Websites must communicate both to AI systems.

Developers, owners, and selection committees use AI to research architecture firms. AI evaluates project portfolios, sector focus, awards, and sustainability credentials. Firms with image-only portfolios give AI nothing to parse.

Project narrative content refers to written descriptions of design projects that explain the client's goals, design approach, technical challenges, and outcomes. For architecture firms, these narratives are essential for both human visitors and AI systems.

Architecture firms that pair their visual portfolios with structured project data will earn AI-driven shortlisting.

Key Findings

43%

Score Below 50

28%

No Schema Markup

13%

No Open Graph Tags

35/100

Avg AI Engine Score

Key Takeaways

Common Mistakes in Architecture / Design Websites

  1. Image-only portfolios — Each project needs a written narrative with scope, sector, size, and design approach.
  2. No sector focus pages — Residential, commercial, healthcare, and education design need separate pages.
  3. Missing sustainability content — LEED experience, passive design, and net-zero projects should be highlighted.
  4. Awards without context — List awards with project names, dates, and awarding organizations in structured format.
  5. No process content — Clients want to understand your design process before hiring.

How to Improve Your Architecture / Design Website

  1. Write detailed narratives for every portfolio project. Include client goals, design approach, technical solutions, and outcomes in text.
  2. Create sector-specific expertise pages. Residential, commercial, healthcare, education, and hospitality each need dedicated pages.
  3. Add Organization and CreativeWork schema. Include firm type, sector expertise, awards, and project portfolio data.
  4. Build a sustainability page. Document LEED projects, energy performance data, and green design philosophy.
  5. Write a design process page. Explain your phases from programming through construction administration in plain language.

Dimension Breakdown

AI Engine (AEO) (30%)
35
SEO (20%)
83
Readability (25%)
52
Engagement (25%)
41

Score Distribution

AISO Score Ranges

0-9
0
10-19
0
20-29
10
30-39
51
40-49
96
50-59
142
60-69
65
70-79
4
80-89
0
90-99
0

Grade Distribution

A
0 (0%)
B
4 (1%)
C
65 (18%)
D
142 (39%)
F
157 (43%)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an AISO score?

An AISO score is defined as a 0-to-100 rating measuring website performance across SEO, readability, engagement, AEO, and accessibility.

What is AEO?

AEO refers to Answer Engine Optimization, the practice of structuring web content so AI tools can find and recommend your architecture firm.

Why do architecture firms need website optimization?

Developers and selection committees use AI to research firms. Practices with structured project data, sector focus, and awards get shortlisted.

What schema should architecture firms use?

Use Organization schema with firm type and expertise areas. Add CreativeWork schema for projects and FAQPage schema for client questions.

How do AI engines evaluate architecture firms?

AI reads project narratives, sector experience, sustainability credentials, and awards. Image-only portfolios give AI nothing to work with.

Should architects include project narratives on their website?

Yes. Each project needs a written description with goals, approach, challenges, and outcomes. This is what AI reads and cites.

What accessibility issues affect architecture firm websites?

Image-dependent layouts without alt text, portfolio galleries without keyboard navigation, and animated page transitions that break screen readers.

How often should architecture firm websites be updated?

Add new projects upon completion. Update sector pages when entering new markets. Refresh awards and recognition annually.

All 368 Audited Sites

Domains are partially blurred. Scores range from 0 to 100.

#DomainAISOGradeAEOSEORead.Eng.
1d**.wa.gov71B52858074
2nov***.com70B861003759
3tm-ar********.com70B52908164
4stro*****.com70B52998654
5yellowst*************.com69C60998145
6randelli*************.com69C52987858
7aia***.org68C527010054
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10phbar********.com68C48997659
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12bostonre*************.com67C63858640
13kcades**********.net67C56957648
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21livingsto**************.com66C58807554
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24methoda***********.com65C55956551
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27woodh********.com64C401007751
28ma**.gov64C35858562
29jz***.com64C40908252
30vermont************.com64C40927064
31alvarez************.com64C48898047
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84arch******.com58D54973655
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144ai***.org55D23738748
145ck-ar********.com55D30777252
146g**.com55D23886557
147opnar********.com55D38727345
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161rwh-a********.com54D20978528
162nh**.com54D30906740
163novostu*************.com54D15898936
164fos*****.com54D38974547
165studioe************.com54D30896245
166bbtar********.com54D38627942
167koch******.com54D35657842
168ai***.org54D40933262
169kmaar********.com54D37826937
170h**.com54D40706845
171eta***.com54D30827142
172sar****.com54D38677640
173chris********.com53D40874845
174aiac*******.org53D40588137
175newman**********.com53D48894835
176artsofa***********.com53D30856145
177hsear********.com53D40727036
178garc******.com53D25807047
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181schmi*******.com52D38806830
182d**.studio52D40934245
183m3a****.com52D30995737
184aia***.org52D63832640
185dlr*****.com52D40845338
186nsb*****.state.nv.us52D20737747
187ncb****.org52D25608545
188lio****.com52D35846930
189stonegr*************.com52D251005940
190harryhu************.com52D35897322
191dubbe********.com52D28947823
192varch********.com52D35687240
193arch*******.com51D28856340
194miguelr***********.com51D30953853
195bodena***********.com51D25868225
196hparc*********.com51D40855435
197axis-a*********.com51D30993157
198wbaarc*********.com51D30706348
199studi*******.com51D30905047
200mapl******.com51D28896435
201nbfar********.com51D35607438
202nvpar********.com50D38943842
203coarc*******.com50D40606737
204sim****.com50D35735940
205altu*****.com50D25777335
206tectoni*************.com50D38953048
207dire*****.aiaphiladelphia.org50D23893863
208habe*******.com50D48685730
209co-o*****.com50D28609327
210lake*****.com50D35705845
211fuster**********.com50D40906118
212florid***********.com49F40724247
213macgr*********.com49F25785055
214whitesp*************.com49F37943243
215nbwar********.com49F30507545
216cbid*****.net49F38951064
217paragon************.com49F38972645
218zerrber***********.com49F48723348
219eda****.com49F35775935
220wddar********.com48F35884137
221stu*****.com48F33717225
222patriqu************.com48F35627822
223el**.us48F38656925
224renaissan**************.com48F46862247
225rowsea*********.com48F25875537
226ai**.org48F48781753
227mk-****.com47F40742953
228regar********.com47F38753845
229brr****.com47F38723847
230gibsont*************.com47F28943147
231saiarc*********.com47F20844749
232howo*******.com47F30705638
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235rl**.com47F40932342
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237a43d*****.com47F35686525
238e**.com47F20996322
239soul******.com46F40952533
240amr-a*********.com46F35675137
241arc*****.com46F30953042
242pra****.com46F40992431
243evs*****.com46F20824647
244clotfel***********.com46F30904730
245arkif*********.com46F35705630
246sg***.com46F15716048
247phillipsd****************.com46F35874330
248parkben************.com46F38941053
249w**.nashvillechamber.com46F45891047
250studior************.com46F40843038
251vampi*******.com46F30874733
252mccle********.com45F20775838
253kevinbrow**************.com45F25904236
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255ai***.org45F40772445
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262purea*********.com44F30891057
263studiog************.com44F58721037
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266isg***.com44F28992836
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268mh**.com44F32873135
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272halstea************.com43F42842530
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274pro****.com43F28931052
275novusa***********.com43F35733042
276a**.net43F35723437
277lmnar********.com43F25813245
278sc**.info43F40751052
279gydea*********.com43F3545895
280pla*****.dc.gov43F38842435
281stu****.com43F251003130
282goaarc*********.com42F40771050
283rappa*******.co42F30881052
284fehd*****.com42F20832353
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286tls****.com42F20733352
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288okl*****.gov42F28841057
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291marlon*********.com41F38821437
292william************.com41F38703230
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295rdlar********.com41F30782047
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300eco****.net41F32901045
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304fin***.aiachicago.org40F30683633
305slatt*********.com40F38831037
306ericks**********.net40F30832335
307hh-****.com40F30912230
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311h**.com39F30801045
312reb****.com39F35702630
313holla********.com39F20971045
314will*****.com39F40881027
315sci***.net39F20951047
316blackr**********.com39F5805532
317montalb***********.com38F20575725
318a**.design38F40851025
319stillwat**************.com38F25841045
320scad*****.com38F20991040
321nettaa*********.com38F30941030
322ai***.org38F28871137
323slc*****.com38F20683837
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325vm**.com38F20991037
326to***.io38F20961040
327archi*********.com37F35454525
328bbm*****.com37F20852232
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335bella*********.com36F35723610
336archit***********.com35F23811037
337desig*********.com35F35581637
338mah***.com35F18653335
339aia***.org35F15751052
340granof***********.com34F20771040
341bwa***.com34F25701040
342cso***.net34F15553737
343ai***.org34F35621036
344m**.com34F20821037
345hol*****.com34F20731042
346archit*********.com34F20822322
347baldrid*************.com34F35661030
348locati**********.com33F15751045
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350raw*****.com32F20951018
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352dkg***.com31F15721037
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355tomec********.com30F20871018
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357artar********.com30F15551047
358capria***********.com30F15752022
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361vision***********.com29F15601040
362dcarc*******.org29F20651030
363amdar********.com27F15751018
364vermontinte******************.com27F15601030
365unfolda***********.com26F15721018
366gsbsa*********.com26F15671022
367johnse**********.com26F20641018
368ehar*******.com25F18402126

Methodology

Each website was scored using AISO Studio's production scoring engine across four dimensions:

368 sites collected across US states using geographic search queries. Scores reflect the state of each website at time of audit.

How Does YOUR Architecture / Design Website Score?

The average architecture / design website scores 50/100. Get a free audit to see where you stand and how to improve your AI search readiness.

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Architects Design Beautiful Spaces. Their Websites Are Empty Rooms. | AISO Studio