The roadmap for this project was actually mapped out: Relaunch of over 1,500 architect profiles and integration of the entire database into AKBW's existing CMS based on TYPO3. But our aim with every single one of our projects is always to develop future-proof solutions. And it was precisely this aspiration that led us to look at this project with completely new eyes - and to deviate from the predefined roadmap.
Small database with great potential
Of all the individual projects that make up the AKBW website, the Architektenprofile.de sub-project is something special: the database, which allows architecture firms to present themselves and their projects comprehensively, has great potential for growth - even beyond the borders of Baden-Württemberg. A novelty and a great opportunity at the same time. The Rhineland-Palatinate Chamber of Architects also recognized this and joined this project with its more than 6,000 architects. With this step, we realized that we had to think bigger and further: What happens if even more chambers join and possibly do not use TYPO3? How can we lower the threshold for other chambers of architects? The answer: our CMS-neutral client-server solution based on Symfony2. We integrate the existing profiles seamlessly via an interface to www.akbw.de and www.akrp.de, thus opening the door to other CMSs.
The sense of a separation in order to stay together permanently in the future
This solution represents a real paradigm shift. While it used to be - and often still is - common practice to integrate all applications, databases and content into a CMS, we have chosen a different path at Architektenprofile.de: With strategic foresight, this sub-project is deliberately detached from the TYPO3-based CMS of akbw.de in order to integrate it externally and thus develop a more sustainable solution. On the one hand, we are keeping the original CMS leaner and more powerful, which also makes updates much easier. On the other hand, we are developing an independent and stable platform to which other content management systems - of any kind - can be easily connected.
In this way, we concentrate the technical effort in one place, namely here and now. The effort for other chambers to become part of this database is therefore low. The resulting potential, on the other hand, is maximum.
The Conclusion
This "merger" of the two chambers was not only a novelty in technical terms, but also in terms of chamber politics. We are therefore all the more proud that we, as an owner-managed Internet agency in the heart of Stuttgart, are able to realize this pioneering project. We know that we are on the right track, at least since another chamber of architects has expressed interest in becoming part of Architektenprofile.de.