A/E/C Websites: good, bad, or ugly?

As an editor on Building Design+Construction, I’m used to seeing buildings with beautiful architecture or ones exhibiting amazing engineering feats or innovative renovations and re-uses. It’s one of the perks of the job.

However, I’m surprised that the architects, engineers, and developers responsible for such fantastic buildings have some really dreadful Websites.

Some make it overly complicated to enter (large, slow flash presentations showing…nothing, really); others are difficult to navigate, which makes it virtually impossible to find a particular building, project, or person; while others are plain boring. (I won’t name names, but you know who you are…)

However, I’ve recently come across a few impressive ones—excelling in design, functionality, layout, "fun factor"—that I think could serve as the benchmark for A/E/C Websites. Check them out:

Agree? Disagree? What has your experience been using a Website for an A/E/C firm? Any great sites that you think raise the bar?

Post your comments below.