Good Architect
Architecture practice website — full migration from Google Sites
The Problem
The existing Good Architect website was hosted on Google Sites — functional but slow, visually dated, and impossible to customise. With 211 pages of content (architecture articles, bushwalk guides, project case studies, and tool resources), migration wasn't trivial. The site had accumulated real SEO value that couldn't be lost.
What I Built
A complete rebuild on Next.js 15 with App Router, preserving every URL path and adding 301 redirects where paths changed. The content system uses markdown files with YAML frontmatter — no database, no CMS, zero monthly cost.
Key Product Decisions
Content architecture was the hardest part. The original site had grown organically across articles, bushwalk guides, project pages, and tool resources — all mixed together. I designed a three-tier dynamic routing system: root-level articles (`/[slug]`), tools subpages (`/tools/[slug]`), and project case studies (`/success/[slug]`). Static routes take priority, so adding a custom page for any slug is non-breaking.
Image optimisation mattered more than redesign. The original 342 images totalled 202MB. Converting to WebP and resizing brought that to 38MB — an 81% reduction. On the free Vercel tier with 100GB/month bandwidth, this was essential.
Technical Highlights
- •211 pages generated at build time via `generateStaticParams`
- •Dynamic sitemap covering all content
- •SEO metadata with `generateMetadata` on every page
- •JSON-LD Organization schema
- •Formspree contact form integration
- •System fonts for zero web font overhead
Outcome
Clean build with zero type errors, all 211 pages generating correctly, and a clear migration checklist for DNS cutover. The site is ready for deployment at goodarchitect.au.