Architect Website Case Study: McCabe Architects
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Turning Design Credibility into a High-Performance Website
McCabe Architects is an RIAI-registered award winning architectural practice with offices in Donegal and Sligo. They specialise in high-end residential, commercial, education, houses, and regeneration projects. Their portfolio includes conservation-led heritage work and modern homes that have been featured on national TV and recognised with multiple architectural awards.
As a respected voice in Irish architecture, their work already stood apart. But their digital presence hadn’t evolved with them, and it was holding them back.
Client Goals
McCabe Architects approached this project with the same principles they bring to every build: clarity, intention, and quiet confidence.
They didn’t want a flashy site. They wanted an elegant, modern platform that would do justice to the breadth of their work, from bespoke houses to large-scale regeneration projects.
Their goals were clear:
- Showcase five core project categories — Houses, Residential, Education, Commercial, and Regeneration — with a visually-led layout that invites exploration
- Create a stripped-back, gallery-style design that allows each project to speak for itself through stunning photography and thoughtful copy.
- Reflect their specialisms in conservation and ecclesiastical architecture, without overwhelming general users.
- Create a site that feels tailored, refined, and user-first across all devices.
- Make it easy for visitors to discover, trust, and take action — whether browsing a portfolio or submitting a project enquiry.
This wasn’t about technology for technology’s sake. It was about giving their work a digital home that matched its real-world ambition.
What We Did
- Structured the Site Around User Intent
We rebuilt the navigation to align with what visitors want: to view recent work, understand the practice, explore awards, and make contact. Each section: Work, About, Awards, People, TV Coverage, Contact was refined for ease of use and visual clarity. - Showcased Their Work as Visual Stories
We paired high-resolution photography with short-form, editorial-style copy that explained the design intent, context, and results. Projects were filterable by category, making it easy for users to browse only what’s relevant to them, whether that’s new builds, conversions, or public projects. - Brought Awards and Accolades to the Forefront
We created a dedicated Awards section covering nearly a decade of national recognition, complete with project links and images. A TV Coverage page was added to showcase media appearances. These elements weren’t hidden in a footer or generic bio; they were elevated into trust-building assets that support conversion.
4. Optimised for Mobile, Search, and Conversion
The new site was fully responsive, with seamless layouts across devices. We implemented semantic headings, compressed media, and built-in mobile call-to-action elements, such as tap-to-call and simplified forms. Contact pathways were restructured to reduce friction, from persistent phone numbers to a detailed form that qualifies leads with project-specific fields.
The Result
The outcome was more than a website refresh; it was a complete digital rebrand that gave McCabe Architects a presence as refined as their buildings.
We delivered a gallery-style website built around visual hierarchy, whitespace, and user flow, allowing each project to breathe, stand tall, and speak for itself. The overall site decorum mirrored the experience of walking through one of their spaces: quiet, intentional, and built with care.
But we didn’t just design for looks, we designed for conversion.
The custom-built contact form was specifically designed to integrate seamlessly with architectural workflows. Instead of a generic “Get in touch” message, the form captures project type, budget, mortgage certification, timeline, and even allows for file uploads like maps or drawings. This streamlines the client intake process, providing the McCabe team with the necessary information from day one, making enquiries more actionable and serious.
This rebrand has since helped McCabe:
- Attract more of the right projects, particularly in high-value residential and heritage architecture
- Increase enquiry quality, thanks to a smarter form that qualifies leads before a single call
- Enhance their perceived value, with a digital presence that finally matches their award-winning standard
Reignite internal and external confidence, the site is now a resource the team is proud to share with peers, clients, and media.
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