Tailoring architectural portfolios for clients and technical peers
TIMELINE
PLATFORM
Web App
ROLE
Design, Research & Strategy
Overview
Planbase is an all-in-one portfolio and discovery platform built specifically for architects, spatial designers, and studios. While traditional design platforms focus purely on visual showcase, Planbase serves the heavy technical demands of the architectural workflow combining high-res project imagery with structural plans, material specs, and spatial metadata.
As Product Designer, I led the UX and system design to bridge the gap between portfolio publishing and project research ensuring that every published project automatically feeds into a searchable, actionable spec library for the community.
Problem
Architectural portfolios are largely treated like flat art galleries. When architects publish work on generic platforms or personal websites, they upload static images that strip away all underlying technical intelligence drawing scales, material selections, structural systems, and supplier data.
Impact
Organic
Growth
Free to
paid
Fewer support tickets
Solution
Pages that Convert
I conducted AB Testing using Hotjar on our waiting list landing page
because it was not converting properly. One landing page with a welcome
animation alongside the logo and another starting from the hero section.
Most users using the one with the animation were kind of confused as to
expecting the hero section to come first. The hero section version
performed better This reduce confusion rate to 30%
Most Touch point from the new landing page which was
performing better than the initial one
Time is the Currency
I conducted AB Testing using Hotjar on our waiting list landing page
because it was not converting properly. One landing page with a welcome
animation alongside the logo and another starting from the hero section.
Most users using the one with the animation were kind of confused as to
expecting the hero section to come first. The hero section version
performed better This reduce confusion rate to 30%
Reduces cart abandonment for high-ticket items by eliminating pre-purchase anxiety. The buyer knows they hold the leverage until the item arrives safely.
Advanced Filtering
I designed a multi-dimensional filter interface based on how architects
actually search for precedents and inspiration. Instead of overwhelming
users with 50+ filter options at once, I designed a progressive disclosure
system
Architects value speed but won't sacrifice quality. They need professional results in minutes, not hours. Portfolio Upload page takes approximately two minutes to upload a project on Planbase Zero Learning Curve: Familiar patterns from tools architects already use
Orbi AI
If we are trying to get users to build there portfolio, we have to be able to push them in the direction of even creating a project in the first place. To complete the full circle of taking them from starting a project to building a portfolio.
Reduces cart abandonment for high-ticket items by eliminating pre-purchase anxiety. The buyer knows they hold the leverage until the item arrives safely.
Scalable Foundation: The Design System
A dual-sided marketplace requires absolute visual consistency to maintain user trust. We built a modular component library, sharing core atoms (buttons, form inputs, typography) across both the Buyer and Seller ecosystems to keep the platform feeling unified.
Eliminates payment anxiety by guaranteeing money is safe
before the package ever arrives.
Reaching more customers
60–65% of portfolio views happen on mobile, but architectural imagery demands detail. To solve this I considered some accessibility features such as Swipe-able image galleries with pinch-to-zoom, Vertical scrolling optimised for thumb zones, Collapsible project details for focus on imagery
Reduces cart abandonment for high-ticket items by eliminating pre-purchase anxiety. The buyer knows they hold the leverage until the item arrives safely.
Learning
One week post-launch, the site shows strong visibility and positive user feedback. Tracking SEO and accessibility helped get more users on Planbase.
Other Works
