Architects Design Beautiful Spaces. Their Websites Are Empty Rooms.

Construction · 368 sites audited · March 22, 2026

AISO Score

AEO

SEO

Readability

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

•
Portfolios are image-heavy, text-light giving AI nothing to read or cite about your design work.
•
Sector expertise is unclear with most firms listing all building types without demonstrating depth.
•
Awards and recognition are poorly structured without schema that AI can parse.
•
Schema markup is missing from architecture firm websites.
•
Sustainability credentials are buried instead of prominently featured with structured data.
•
Accessibility is neglected with image-dependent sites failing screen reader tests.

Common Mistakes in Architecture / Design Websites

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

How to Improve Your Architecture / Design Website

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

Dimension Breakdown

AI Engine (AEO) (30%)

SEO (20%)

Readability (25%)

Engagement (25%)

Score Distribution

AISO Score Ranges

0-9

10-19

20-29

30-39

40-49

50-59

142

60-69

70-79

80-89

90-99

Grade Distribution

0 (0%)

4 (1%)

65 (18%)

142 (39%)

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.

#	Domain	AISO	Grade	AEO	SEO	Read.	Eng.
1	d**.wa.gov	71	B	52	85	80	74
2	nov***.com	70	B	86	100	37	59
3	tm-ar********.com	70	B	52	90	81	64
4	stro*****.com	70	B	52	99	86	54
5	yellowst*************.com	69	C	60	99	81	45
6	randelli*************.com	69	C	52	98	78	58
7	aia***.org	68	C	52	70	100	54
8	amdga*********.com	68	C	52	99	79	52
9	sdaar********.com	68	C	52	99	82	47
10	phbar********.com	68	C	48	99	76	59
11	kriege***********.com	68	C	52	90	78	59
12	bostonre*************.com	67	C	63	85	86	40
13	kcades**********.net	67	C	56	95	76	48
14	thi*****.com	67	C	60	99	71	47
15	hna***.com	66	C	40	84	98	52
16	cushi*********.com	66	C	30	84	96	63
17	jrarc*******.com	66	C	43	78	86	64
18	imprin***********.com	66	C	51	93	75	52
19	knicker***********.com	66	C	52	97	73	51
20	monarch*************.com	66	C	60	85	77	47
21	livingsto**************.com	66	C	58	80	75	54
22	arq*****.com	66	C	48	100	76	52
23	cmbaa*********.com	65	C	48	100	56	67
24	methoda***********.com	65	C	55	95	65	51
25	sslarc*********.com	64	C	40	83	95	47
26	curran-************.com	64	C	40	99	85	44
27	woodh********.com	64	C	40	100	77	51
28	ma**.gov	64	C	35	85	85	62
29	jz***.com	64	C	40	90	82	52
30	vermont************.com	64	C	40	92	70	64
31	alvarez************.com	64	C	48	89	80	47
32	tpdar*******.com	63	C	30	88	97	48
33	nautilu***********.com	63	C	38	95	91	40
34	pointa*********.com	63	C	36	95	83	48
35	stud*******.com	63	C	61	80	76	37
36	grimm*********.com	63	C	46	98	78	41
37	marketsq**************.com	63	C	48	95	72	48
38	vera*******.com	63	C	52	99	59	53
39	amundse***********.com	63	C	38	82	77	62
40	klaude***********.com	62	C	35	89	91	43
41	nort*******.com	62	C	48	92	78	37
42	dekke*******.org	62	C	52	97	65	44
43	aiad*******.org	62	C	47	71	82	52
44	mikarc*********.com	62	C	53	99	57	49
45	streaml*************.com	62	C	33	84	86	55
46	rsp****.com	62	C	40	83	85	47
47	alle*******.com	62	C	40	70	91	52
48	ore***.gov	62	C	40	83	80	52
49	dibell***********.com	62	C	38	89	84	47
50	potte*******.com	62	C	38	97	78	45
51	feldman************.com	61	C	60	87	58	43
52	rosam*******.com	61	C	40	99	65	51
53	m**.com	61	C	35	83	92	42
54	jlfar********.com	61	C	40	92	82	42
55	baylis***********.com	61	C	35	94	75	52
56	desi*******.us.com	61	C	30	100	62	66
57	lewi******.net	61	C	48	80	85	37
58	centric************.com	61	C	38	84	91	42
59	form-a*********.com	61	C	40	99	77	40
60	bestpract***************.com	61	C	40	83	88	42
61	phx****.com	60	C	40	95	70	45
62	cs***.com	60	C	40	99	75	38
63	mparchi***********.com	60	C	38	89	77	45
64	pba-ar**********.com	60	C	38	100	60	54
65	johnjame*************.com	60	C	48	89	80	30
66	rl**.com	60	C	40	98	64	51
67	id8***.com	60	C	40	90	60	60
68	ander********.com	60	C	47	95	54	52
69	dy***.com	60	C	35	80	96	37
70	fgmarc*********.com	59	D	40	95	64	47
71	invis*******.com	59	D	23	87	83	57
72	hoefe*******.com	59	D	60	84	50	47
73	cmw***.com	59	D	42	92	65	47
74	kerna*********.com	59	D	58	94	51	40
75	ferguso*************.net	59	D	40	80	75	47
76	brp***.com	59	D	38	82	76	47
77	lanas********.com	59	D	42	94	53	58
78	sspar********.com	59	D	40	92	72	44
79	db**.com	59	D	55	77	72	36
80	waterma************.com	58	D	63	62	59	47
81	archit**********.com	58	D	40	65	67	64
82	hks***.com	58	D	38	84	76	42
83	arch*******.net	58	D	38	98	62	45
84	arch******.com	58	D	54	97	36	55
85	lpades**********.com	58	D	30	100	79	37
86	inf***.design	58	D	38	97	73	37
87	humm******.com	58	D	38	100	59	47
88	mkmd*****.com	58	D	40	92	72	40
89	flin*****.com	58	D	42	99	62	40
90	greenle************.com	58	D	40	89	67	44
91	archety*************.com	58	D	37	77	89	38
92	corner**********.com	58	D	38	91	65	49
93	inscript*************.com	58	D	35	86	85	37
94	lb**.com	58	D	32	94	93	27
95	nca-a*********.com	58	D	40	92	65	47
96	schorr**********.com	58	D	53	65	77	40
97	jh**.com	58	D	40	77	74	47
98	b**.ri.gov	58	D	46	65	73	50
99	mza***.com	58	D	30	97	79	40
100	volan*********.com	58	D	33	87	78	45
101	nacarc*********.com	58	D	28	83	88	43
102	jla***.com	58	D	30	100	79	37
103	berlin**********.com	58	D	35	52	96	53
104	sheple*********.com	57	D	30	100	83	30
105	croftan***********.com	57	D	48	92	52	45
106	aia***.org	57	D	38	99	67	37
107	erstad**********.com	57	D	38	80	70	47
108	dspac*******.com	57	D	40	89	66	43
109	shive********.com	57	D	20	95	73	55
110	a**.design	57	D	30	95	77	37
111	knb****.com	57	D	40	93	64	40
112	batesa***********.com	57	D	35	87	68	50
113	solut*********.com	57	D	35	80	75	45
114	wamo******.com	57	D	48	98	46	45
115	dw***.com	57	D	40	95	67	38
116	wol***.com	57	D	25	85	89	42
117	pfluge***********.com	57	D	25	92	88	35
118	jacoby**********.com	57	D	48	84	63	40
119	zast*****.com	57	D	40	96	52	53
120	kpbar********.com	56	D	38	80	62	53
121	thera*******.com	56	D	40	97	68	30
122	le***.com	56	D	30	99	62	47
123	34-***.com	56	D	25	97	79	36
124	studi*******.com	56	D	30	97	68	43
125	iaa***.org	56	D	48	72	70	37
126	bri****.com	56	D	43	89	68	35
127	mathiso***********.com	56	D	48	75	69	36
128	michiganres******************.com	56	D	48	83	42	57
129	dalep*******.com	56	D	51	67	78	33
130	mccar*********.com	56	D	35	70	85	42
131	wade-a***********.com	56	D	30	94	73	40
132	prair********.com	56	D	30	86	85	35
133	endeavo************.com	56	D	47	85	63	37
134	redarc*********.com	56	D	40	68	85	37
135	bocku*******.com	56	D	33	82	79	39
136	desi*******.com	56	D	40	85	64	42
137	arche*********.com	56	D	50	95	56	30
138	maclay**********.com	56	D	58	95	29	50
139	ai***.org	56	D	40	96	57	43
140	z**.com	56	D	30	92	52	62
141	studi*******.com	56	D	40	92	66	38
142	theb*******.com	55	D	30	90	63	48
143	fielda***********.com	55	D	25	89	87	33
144	ai***.org	55	D	23	73	87	48
145	ck-ar********.com	55	D	30	77	72	52
146	g**.com	55	D	23	88	65	57
147	opnar********.com	55	D	38	72	73	45
148	sfs****.com	55	D	30	100	66	37
149	trahan**********.com	55	D	35	85	73	37
150	ls***.com	55	D	40	65	72	47
151	ritt*******.com	55	D	30	90	82	30
152	altura**********.com	55	D	30	90	70	42
153	orego*********.com	55	D	30	68	76	52
154	wraar********.com	55	D	58	65	50	50
155	peregri*************.com	55	D	25	92	88	28
156	td**.us	55	D	43	79	74	30
157	ab**.com	54	D	35	85	59	47
158	dbarchite***************.com	54	D	35	80	73	35
159	rehka********.com	54	D	35	73	81	35
160	bonina*********.com	54	D	25	77	100	26
161	rwh-a********.com	54	D	20	97	85	28
162	nh**.com	54	D	30	90	67	40
163	novostu*************.com	54	D	15	89	89	36
164	fos*****.com	54	D	38	97	45	47
165	studioe************.com	54	D	30	89	62	45
166	bbtar********.com	54	D	38	62	79	42
167	koch******.com	54	D	35	65	78	42
168	ai***.org	54	D	40	93	32	62
169	kmaar********.com	54	D	37	82	69	37
170	h**.com	54	D	40	70	68	45
171	eta***.com	54	D	30	82	71	42
172	sar****.com	54	D	38	67	76	40
173	chris********.com	53	D	40	87	48	45
174	aiac*******.org	53	D	40	58	81	37
175	newman**********.com	53	D	48	89	48	35
176	artsofa***********.com	53	D	30	85	61	45
177	hsear********.com	53	D	40	72	70	36
178	garc******.com	53	D	25	80	70	47
179	desig*******.com	52	D	35	85	61	37
180	ai***.org	52	D	47	60	57	47
181	schmi*******.com	52	D	38	80	68	30
182	d**.studio	52	D	40	93	42	45
183	m3a****.com	52	D	30	99	57	37
184	aia***.org	52	D	63	83	26	40
185	dlr*****.com	52	D	40	84	53	38
186	nsb*****.state.nv.us	52	D	20	73	77	47
187	ncb****.org	52	D	25	60	85	45
188	lio****.com	52	D	35	84	69	30
189	stonegr*************.com	52	D	25	100	59	40
190	harryhu************.com	52	D	35	89	73	22
191	dubbe********.com	52	D	28	94	78	23
192	varch********.com	52	D	35	68	72	40
193	arch*******.com	51	D	28	85	63	40
194	miguelr***********.com	51	D	30	95	38	53
195	bodena***********.com	51	D	25	86	82	25
196	hparc*********.com	51	D	40	85	54	35
197	axis-a*********.com	51	D	30	99	31	57
198	wbaarc*********.com	51	D	30	70	63	48
199	studi*******.com	51	D	30	90	50	47
200	mapl******.com	51	D	28	89	64	35
201	nbfar********.com	51	D	35	60	74	38
202	nvpar********.com	50	D	38	94	38	42
203	coarc*******.com	50	D	40	60	67	37
204	sim****.com	50	D	35	73	59	40
205	altu*****.com	50	D	25	77	73	35
206	tectoni*************.com	50	D	38	95	30	48
207	dire*****.aiaphiladelphia.org	50	D	23	89	38	63
208	habe*******.com	50	D	48	68	57	30
209	co-o*****.com	50	D	28	60	93	27
210	lake*****.com	50	D	35	70	58	45
211	fuster**********.com	50	D	40	90	61	18
212	florid***********.com	49	F	40	72	42	47
213	macgr*********.com	49	F	25	78	50	55
214	whitesp*************.com	49	F	37	94	32	43
215	nbwar********.com	49	F	30	50	75	45
216	cbid*****.net	49	F	38	95	10	64
217	paragon************.com	49	F	38	97	26	45
218	zerrber***********.com	49	F	48	72	33	48
219	eda****.com	49	F	35	77	59	35
220	wddar********.com	48	F	35	88	41	37
221	stu*****.com	48	F	33	71	72	25
222	patriqu************.com	48	F	35	62	78	22
223	el**.us	48	F	38	65	69	25
224	renaissan**************.com	48	F	46	86	22	47
225	rowsea*********.com	48	F	25	87	55	37
226	ai**.org	48	F	48	78	17	53
227	mk-****.com	47	F	40	74	29	53
228	regar********.com	47	F	38	75	38	45
229	brr****.com	47	F	38	72	38	47
230	gibsont*************.com	47	F	28	94	31	47
231	saiarc*********.com	47	F	20	84	47	49
232	howo*******.com	47	F	30	70	56	38
233	sch*****.com	47	F	40	99	17	45
234	art****.com	47	F	38	82	16	59
235	rl**.com	47	F	40	93	23	42
236	sil****.com	47	F	25	70	66	37
237	a43d*****.com	47	F	35	68	65	25
238	e**.com	47	F	20	99	63	22
239	soul******.com	46	F	40	95	25	33
240	amr-a*********.com	46	F	35	67	51	37
241	arc*****.com	46	F	30	95	30	42
242	pra****.com	46	F	40	99	24	31
243	evs*****.com	46	F	20	82	46	47
244	clotfel***********.com	46	F	30	90	47	30
245	arkif*********.com	46	F	35	70	56	30
246	sg***.com	46	F	15	71	60	48
247	phillipsd****************.com	46	F	35	87	43	30
248	parkben************.com	46	F	38	94	10	53
249	w**.nashvillechamber.com	46	F	45	89	10	47
250	studior************.com	46	F	40	84	30	38
251	vampi*******.com	46	F	30	87	47	33
252	mccle********.com	45	F	20	77	58	38
253	kevinbrow**************.com	45	F	25	90	42	36
254	saltonst*************.com	45	F	28	92	36	37
255	ai***.org	45	F	40	77	24	45
256	clawso***********.com	45	F	48	67	10	57
257	meyers**********.com	45	F	20	98	54	25
258	ds-****.com	45	F	40	92	10	47
259	madew********.com	44	F	20	84	38	45
260	cent*******.com	44	F	20	68	61	37
261	teve*****.com	44	F	40	75	31	37
262	purea*********.com	44	F	30	89	10	57
263	studiog************.com	44	F	58	72	10	37
264	archit**********.co	44	F	30	52	73	24
265	sho****.com	44	F	35	45	75	22
266	isg***.com	44	F	28	99	28	36
267	bask******.com	44	F	30	75	46	35
268	mh**.com	44	F	32	87	31	35
269	wittm********.com	44	F	20	85	60	25
270	hja***.com	43	F	38	97	10	40
271	childe***********.com	43	F	20	82	44	37
272	halstea************.com	43	F	42	84	25	30
273	45a***.com	43	F	40	84	23	35
274	pro****.com	43	F	28	93	10	52
275	novusa***********.com	43	F	35	73	30	42
276	a**.net	43	F	35	72	34	37
277	lmnar********.com	43	F	25	81	32	45
278	sc**.info	43	F	40	75	10	52
279	gydea*********.com	43	F	35	45	89	5
280	pla*****.dc.gov	43	F	38	84	24	35
281	stu****.com	43	F	25	100	31	30
282	goaarc*********.com	42	F	40	77	10	50
283	rappa*******.co	42	F	30	88	10	52
284	fehd*****.com	42	F	20	83	23	53
285	kapla*********.com	42	F	30	84	10	56
286	tls****.com	42	F	20	73	33	52
287	ackerm**********.com	42	F	43	87	10	37
288	okl*****.gov	42	F	28	84	10	57
289	johnsto***********.com	42	F	30	97	35	18
290	davisa**********.com	42	F	38	68	39	30
291	marlon*********.com	41	F	38	82	14	37
292	william************.com	41	F	38	70	32	30
293	smit******.com	41	F	30	95	10	42
294	aia****.org	41	F	40	83	10	40
295	rdlar********.com	41	F	30	78	20	47
296	tap***.com	41	F	35	72	56	10
297	kba-a*********.com	41	F	20	95	25	40
298	aiad*****.org	41	F	25	65	32	49
299	fff***.com	41	F	20	93	29	35
300	eco****.net	41	F	32	90	10	45
301	adci******.com	41	F	40	94	10	30
302	pieria*********.com	41	F	48	85	10	30
303	portma***********.com	40	F	35	73	16	42
304	fin***.aiachicago.org	40	F	30	68	36	33
305	slatt*********.com	40	F	38	83	10	37
306	ericks**********.net	40	F	30	83	23	35
307	hh-****.com	40	F	30	91	22	30
308	perk*******.com	39	F	30	72	26	35
309	aiah*******.org	39	F	30	78	18	40
310	10folda***********.com	39	F	30	85	10	40
311	h**.com	39	F	30	80	10	45
312	reb****.com	39	F	35	70	26	30
313	holla********.com	39	F	20	97	10	45
314	will*****.com	39	F	40	88	10	27
315	sci***.net	39	F	20	95	10	47
316	blackr**********.com	39	F	5	80	55	32
317	montalb***********.com	38	F	20	57	57	25
318	a**.design	38	F	40	85	10	25
319	stillwat**************.com	38	F	25	84	10	45
320	scad*****.com	38	F	20	99	10	40
321	nettaa*********.com	38	F	30	94	10	30
322	ai***.org	38	F	28	87	11	37
323	slc*****.com	38	F	20	68	38	37
324	nwlar********.com	38	F	35	89	10	30
325	vm**.com	38	F	20	99	10	37
326	to***.io	38	F	20	96	10	40
327	archi*********.com	37	F	35	45	45	25
328	bbm*****.com	37	F	20	85	22	32
329	mhm***.com	37	F	25	79	28	26
330	walke*******.com	36	F	35	75	10	30
331	hel****.com	36	F	20	92	10	35
332	aia*****.org	36	F	25	65	24	38
333	lda-a*********.com	36	F	20	100	10	30
334	hamilt***********.com	36	F	35	72	13	30
335	bella*********.com	36	F	35	72	36	10
336	archit***********.com	35	F	23	81	10	37
337	desig*********.com	35	F	35	58	16	37
338	mah***.com	35	F	18	65	33	35
339	aia***.org	35	F	15	75	10	52
340	granof***********.com	34	F	20	77	10	40
341	bwa***.com	34	F	25	70	10	40
342	cso***.net	34	F	15	55	37	37
343	ai***.org	34	F	35	62	10	36
344	m**.com	34	F	20	82	10	37
345	hol*****.com	34	F	20	73	10	42
346	archit*********.com	34	F	20	82	23	22
347	baldrid*************.com	34	F	35	66	10	30
348	locati**********.com	33	F	15	75	10	45
349	aia***.org	33	F	20	62	10	47
350	raw*****.com	32	F	20	95	10	18
351	surroun*************.com	31	F	15	84	10	27
352	dkg***.com	31	F	15	72	10	37
353	whitte***********.com	31	F	15	87	10	25
354	hasting*************.com	31	F	15	73	10	37
355	tomec********.com	30	F	20	87	10	18
356	seagr*********.com	30	F	20	70	10	30
357	artar********.com	30	F	15	55	10	47
358	capria***********.com	30	F	15	75	20	22
359	dig****.akbizmag.com	29	F	25	58	10	30
360	bwstudi***********.com	29	F	25	55	10	33
361	vision***********.com	29	F	15	60	10	40
362	dcarc*******.org	29	F	20	65	10	30
363	amdar********.com	27	F	15	75	10	18
364	vermontinte******************.com	27	F	15	60	10	30
365	unfolda***********.com	26	F	15	72	10	18
366	gsbsa*********.com	26	F	15	67	10	22
367	johnse**********.com	26	F	20	64	10	18
368	ehar*******.com	25	F	18	40	21	26

Methodology

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

AEO (30%) — AI Engine Optimization: direct answer format, FAQ patterns, structured content, citation signals, topical authority
SEO (20%) — Title tags, meta descriptions, heading structure, links, images, keyword optimization
Readability (25%) — Flesch reading ease with normalized scoring, sentence complexity, audience appropriateness
Engagement (25%) — Content hooks, calls to action, questions, lists, quotes, emphasis, paragraph variety

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

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