This metaphor doesn't work as well as it seems. Architecture firms don't personally build the buildings they design. It's probable that someone dealing with "the semantic web" and fitting in with "new media" companies actually should build websites.
Even if they're only working on the back-end solutions, having a poor website is more like an architecture firm having a terribly designed office which undermines the customer's confidence.
I suppose that could be true, but I really think it depends on what it is you're doing. If you're going to be doing something inventive in the backend, some sort of api, or db structure, then yeah I understand that. But I still think there are going to be people out there that look at the site with that stigma. Just something to be aware of.
