Perkins Eastman

Founded in 1981, Perkins Eastman is one of the top firms in architecture, urban design, and interior design. With a reputation known internationally, Perkins Eastman has work across the globe.

When first entering the Perkins Eastman site, you are welcomed to a black background with red and silver boarders. They also have an opening slide show that showcases some of their work. The site it broken down into several categories with subcategories under some. Overall, the home page is very captivating and makes the viewer want to continue seeing the site.

Besides the home page, I really like the organization and fact that the firm gave us background information. Their portfolio of work was very good, especially their international portfolio. The shapes of some of the structure was fascinating as well as inspiring.

Overall, I would give this site a 10. It's home page was as captivating as their work.

Callison

As the No. 1 retail design firm in the world. Callison is one of the world's top architecture firms. Boasting seven locations across the world, Callison has done marvellous design work on almost every continent possible. Along with a great reputation, Callison has accumulated numerous rankings and awards internationally.

As you surf through Callison's site, you are welcomed with a white background with a gray frame. The strongest aspect of this site is its organization. Broken down into 7 sections, you are able to view all Callison has to offer. Another strong feature of the site is its opening slide show. The photos show the diversity of their work as a whole.

My favorite part of the site was their portfolio. I thoroughly enjoyed looking at their hotel and resorts. Some of their buildings were amazing. The way they made these hotels look like amusement parks was crazy! Another point of their hotels and resorts was their interiors that combined traditional design with modern sleek design.

A few things I would have like to see was more color, interactiveness, and background history on the firm. I find it very interesting to read about the firms past success.

On a scale of 1-10, this website ranks an 8.

RTKL Architects, Designers, Planners, Engineers, Consultants

RTKL is an internationally know firm specializing in architecture, engineering and planning. With firms in North America, Europe, and Asia, RTKL is leaving their mark on every continent possible. With their expertise being in civic & public, health care, hospitality, residential, retail & entertainment, sports, engineering, science & technology, and workplace, RTKL has a very diversified portfolio of work. Since their start in 1946, they have received numerous awards and recognitions and still continue to do so.



There were many strong points about the website. Besides being very interactive, the sight captures the viewers attention with changes in color on a white background as you transition through the site. Besides being very organized the site offers links throughout the write ups which take you to different parts within the sight. The sight offers slide shows to view as well.



My favorite part of this site was their portfolio. I enjoyed viewing their health care and interiors the most. Combining modern design with the principle of timeless design, their work exceeds many other firms I have seen.


One of the downsides to the sight is that they do not offer any history. But besides that, the site was awesome, very interesting, and inspiring to view. On a scale of 1-10, they rank a 9. Go check out the site now at www.rtkl.com

Devrouax+Purnell

Based in Washington, DC, this firm has been landscaping the nation's capital for 32 years. Although stationed in DC, this firm has done work across the globe. Their principle "To exceed expectations" has made them one of the leading firms in Washington, DC and surrounding Metropolitan area. They have designed landmark buildings such as the Verizon Center (formerly known as the MCI Center), The Fireman's Building (a place where I used to work), and they are now responsible in bringing baseball back to the nation's capital as they partner with HOK to design the new Nationals baseball stadium. Before I left for school, I had the opportunity to visit this innovative firm.

After surfing their website I was not impressed as what I thought I would be. Although the site offers some interactiveness, there could be much more. Also a change n the gray monotone background would help keep the viewers interest. Now after getting the negative points out the way, the site does offer great organization and a good portfolio. Growing up in the Washington, DC area I found it interesting to see what building they had designed and are now designing.

Overall, I think this site could use an upgrade. Although I enjoyed their work and maybe a I was a little biased because it is my hometown, I was still expecting more. If I had to rank this site it would be a 5. At the end of the day, there was nothing special about this site.

HDR Architecture and Engineering Consulting Firm

Stationed in Omaha, Nebraska, HDR has been designing buildings since 1917. HDR is an architectural, engineering, and consulting firm with more than 150 locations worldwide. Among the many rankings and awards, they were ranked No. 1 in health care firm design. A firm known for its vision, value, and service, HDR will be designing our world for many years to come.

HDR's website is broken down into several categories, keeping the site very organized. out of all the other websites i have viewed so far, this is the most organized. What I really like about this website is that you really get a sense of who they are a a design firm. From their past, values, and mission statement, you are able to tell pursuit of perfection and creativity in everything they do.

Although the site was very organized, it did not show enough of their work. The links that you thought would take you to portfolios of their work took you to long essays detailing the process and vision behind the structure. Granted such background was very helpful, as the viewer you want to see their work not be described their work.

If I were to rate this site on only organization it would be a 10, but overall (including organization, pictures, interactiveness, and history) I rank this site an 8.

Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill, LLP

Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill, LLP has done wonderful work across the world, with their specialty being in skyscrappers. With 7 firms across the globe, including London and Hong Kong, Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill, LLP is leaving their architecture mark on every continent possible.



After surfing through their website, I was a little disappointed. Unlike the many websites I have visited, they did not have any history nor did they go into enough detail about the principals of the firm. This website was more of a portfolio of their work. Although they do great work, I would have like to learn more about thier company without having to look at their portfolio.



Based off of their portfolio, you can tell they are a firm that has great expertise in combining traditional architecture with modern architecture. Many of their buildings appear to be very futuristic in terms of their style.

Although I loved their work, this website lacked energy and creativity. It does not seem as if they thought about the viewer. Unless you are looking at their portfolio, you can become easily disinterested. It would have been nice if the site was more interactive as well.

On a scale of 1-10, I would rank this site a 7.

Perkins+Will Architets

Perkins+Will Architects started in 1935. Since then they have been producing exceptional work. With locations that stretch across 5 continents, Perkins+Will Architects have sealed their reputation in the architecture world.



Going through their website you are able to view all of their work, history, and principles. With a diverse portfolio, with work ranging from corporate headquarters, interiors, to schools, you are able to see Perkins+Wll's principle of combining traditional architecture with urban architecture at work. After viewing their work, I enjoyed their schools and interiors the most. Seeing how they transformed the traditional idea of schools into something beautiful was very inspiring.





The setup of this website was very interesting. With a white background as the core, all other colors seem to pop. This is very good when it comes to keeping the viewers attention. The website was broken down into 4 sections with different links under each. The whole way through the website you are able to view their portfolio.


On a scale of 1-10, I would give this site a 8.5.

HKS Inc.

After 65 years of services, HKS Inc. is one of the top architecture firms in the country. Doing work ranging from airports, churches to sports venues has allowed for them to be awarded numerous awards. There specialities include interior design, architecture, and planning services.

There website is characterized by organization and color. With a gray, red, and white background, their website finds a way to keep you interested. With a very interactive site, the viewer is able to view photographs of the company's portfolio. Their portfolio showcases their work ranging from commercial work to residential homes and apartments. You are also able to view the firms history, as well as, news concerning the firm.

Overall, I enjoyed viewing this website. The strongest area of this site is its interactiveness. Each page keeps the viewer engages as they navigate their way through the site. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would rate this website an 8.

www.hksinc.com

HOK Architects

HOK Architects s one of the best architecture firms recognized worldwide. Ranked as the #1 Architectrural/ Engineering Firms by News-Record in April of 2007. HOK has 26 regional offices across four countries. In the year 2006, HOK grossed over $475.8 million.

HOK's website is a combination of sophistication and organization. With the color black as the backdrop throughout the site, you are welcomed with photographs of their work. The site is divided into three sections: idea, work, and firm profile. Under ideas you are able to see HOK's respons to sustainable design. Under work you get to see photographs of their work ranging from architecture, education facilities, to sport event venues.

My favorite section of this site was the retail section o the work portfolio. These photographs showcase HOK's creativitya dn variety. With each building being drastically different from the others you are able to get a sense of HOK's versatilty as designers.

Overall I would rank this site on a scale of 1 to 10 as an 8. Although it does a great job of displaying the companies work, there is something about this website that did not keep me captivated. But as a firm they do great work

Gensler Architecture Firm

One of the best in the nation with offices in over 28 cities, they have been in business for over 20 years. Combining fashion and architecture to create modern, fun, and timeless structures and interiors.




This website is filled with bright attractive colors that will keep the internet surfer captivated. From slideshows of the work from every aspects of architecture including workplaces, retail stores, to airports. You will not get tired of looking through this website.



With links that lead you to information about careers, contact information, and history of the firm, there is also a link that leads you to the magazine Dialogue This link allows you to read some articles in their current issue as well as old.

Overall this was a very interactive website with great photos exhibiting your work. On a scale of one to ten this website would be a perfect 10.