The Eddy

How to Build a Professional AEC Website Without Starting From Scratch

Written by Otavio Chaves | Feb 5, 2026

Many architecture and engineering firms haven’t updated their website in years.
Not because it doesn’t matter, but because a “simple update” often turns into a full redesign: high costs, long timelines, and too many decisions at once.

Most firms already know what a good website looks like.
You’ve seen clean portfolios, clear service pages, simple calls to action — and thought: this is close to what we need.

The real challenge isn’t inspiration.
It’s translating a reference into something you can actually build, without turning it into an expensive, over-engineered project.

Today, AI tools can help bridge that gap.

One of them is Gemini 3 Pro, from Google.

Step 1 — Pick a strong reference

Find a website you think works well — from Dribbble, Behance, or an AEC firm you respect.
Open the site and record a screen video scrolling through the entire page.

A video matters. It helps the AI understand hierarchy, flow, and structure, effects — not just visuals.

 

Step 2 — Analyze the site with AI

In Gemini 3 Pro:

  • Upload the video
  • Use a clear prompt, for example:

“Analyze this website. Describe its visual hierarchy, colors, layout, section structure, and button placement. Then convert this analysis into instructions to recreate a similar website.”

Step 3 — Turn analysis into structure

Ask Gemini to organize the output into a Markdown (MD) document.
Copy that content and paste it into a new conversation.

This keeps the logic clean and avoids mixing analysis with generation.

Step 4 — Adapt it to your AEC firm

Now guide the AI with intent:

"Create a high-quality, interactive website based on this description. Adapt the content for an architectural firm specializing in single-family luxury homes. Reflect a premium residential tone, clear project storytelling, and a strong portfolio-first layout. Show how it would look."

This is where clarity matters.
A vague prompt creates a generic site.
A specific one creates something you can actually use.

 

Step 5 — Publish and adjust

Take the generated code and upload it to a tool like Lovable.
From there:

  • Publish the site
  • Adjust colors, sections, or animations if needed
  • Keep it simple and readable

You now have a functional AEC website in hours, not weeks.

 

Bonus — Before you lock the content, watch this

We’ve covered how to remodel your website using AI and strong references. Before you finalize anything, it’s worth stepping back and looking at content and branding fundamentals.

A short video by Laura Kalmakoff | Studio Entas does a great job of outlining what an AEC website must have to be clear, credible, and effective — and how getting this right upfront can save you a lot of time later. 

👉 Watch the video before you publish

 

A realistic note

This doesn’t replace a high-end web designer for complex branding or custom systems.
But for many AEC firms, this approach is a fast, controlled way to modernize a website.

If you want an extra layer of confidence before publishing, Archipelago members get 50% off a website audit with Laura Kalmakoff (Studio Entas).

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