Schwarz
Schwarz Architekturbüro Nürnberg is a third-generation, family-owned architecture firm of about 20 staff in Altdorf bei Nürnberg, Germany, specializing in public-sector building renovation, New Work interior design, and low-tech sustainable construction for government, commercial, and private clients in Bavaria.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1956
- HeadquartersNuremberg, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Schwarz does
Schwarz Architekturbüro Nürnberg GbR is a family-owned architecture and engineering firm headquartered in Altdorf bei Nürnberg, Bavaria, operating from two buildings across three floors. Founded in 1956 by Horst Schwarz and now in its third generation of family ownership under brothers Jörg-Helmuth Schwarz and Bernd-Simon Schwarz, the firm employs approximately 20 staff comprising architects, interior architects, civil/electrical engineers, draftspersons, apprentices, and working students.
The firm's service portfolio spans five pillars: Bauen im Bestand (building renovation), Innenarchitektur focused on New Work, Neubauten (new construction), Elektrotechnik, and Haustechnik (building services). Its technical signature is a proprietary "low-tech" building concept, including the award-winning "Haus ohne Heizung" (building without heating), in which thick masonry walls (65 cm), thermal mass, internal heat loads, and CO2-sensor-controlled natural ventilation replace conventional HVAC systems. Operational tools include VR-supported planning for client visualisation and AI-assisted project management for internal workflows, plus an internal Gaeb App for German construction specification processing.
Revenue is generated through project-based fees regulated by the German HOAI (Honorarordnung für Architekten und Ingenieure) framework, with revenue streams structured around multi-year contracts spanning all nine Leistungsphasen (service phases 1–9). The go-to-market is direct B2B engagement: public-sector clients are won through tender processes (Bundesagentur für Arbeit, schools, vocational rehabilitation centres); private commercial and individual clients are acquired through referrals and direct outreach. Marketing is organic — website project showcases and an active presence on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Xing — with no paid advertising or channel/reseller model. Geographic scope is regional, concentrated in Bavaria and the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region, with no stated international activity.
Schwarz firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Schwarz
- Legal name
- Schwarz Architekturbüro Nürnberg GbR
- Website
- https://schwarzarchitekturbuero.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1956
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Schwarz Architekturbüro Nürnberg is a third-generation, family-owned architecture firm of about 20 staff in Altdorf bei Nürnberg, Germany, specializing in public-sector building renovation, New Work interior design, and low-tech sustainable construction for government, commercial, and private clients in Bavaria.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Schwarz industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Architectural Services
- NAICS
- Architectural Services (541310), Interior Design Services (541410), Engineering Services (541330)
- SIC
- Services-Engineering Services (8711)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)
Keywords
Where Schwarz is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Nuremberg
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Schwarz business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Architectural and Engineering Professional Services: Full-service architecture firm providing design, planning, and construction supervision across all project phases. Services include building renovation, interior architecture, new construction, electrical engineering, and building technology planning. Revenue is generated through project-based fees, typically tied to German HOAI (Honorarordnung für Architekten und Ingenieure) fee structures.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Project-based architectural fees based on construction cost and service phases (Leistungsphasen) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Schwarz product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Schwarz Architekturbüro Nürnberg is a family-run architecture and engineering firm providing full-service design, planning, and construction supervision across all German HOAI service phases. Its core offerings span five disciplines: Bauen im Bestand (renovation of existing and heritage-protected buildings), Innenarchitektur (New Work interior design for modern agile workspaces), Neubauten (low-tech new construction including the heating-free ZiHaus concept), Elektrotechnik (electrical engineering planning with renewable energy integration), and Haustechnik (building services engineering). The firm primarily serves public-sector clients such as the Bundesagentur für Arbeit, schools, and vocational rehabilitation centers, alongside private commercial enterprises and select private individuals in Bavaria.
Product overview
Schwarz Architekturbüro Nürnberg GbR is a family-owned architecture firm offering an integrated suite of services covering the entire building lifecycle. The core portfolio consists of five main service pillars: Bauen im Bestand (building renovation), Innenarchitektur (interior architecture), Neubauten (new construction), Elektrotechnik (electrical engineering), and Haustechnik (building technology). The firm also developed the ZiHaus - Haus ohne Heizung concept, an energy-self-sufficient building approach that eliminates the need for conventional heating, cooling, and ventilation. A proprietary Gaeb App tool supports internal construction specification workflows. With approximately 20 employees — including architects, interior architects, civil engineers, and draftspersons — the firm specializes in the renovation of public buildings such as administrative and school buildings, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and low-tech construction methods.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Bauen im Bestand (Building Renovation)
Quantifiable outcome
- Buildings operating without heating or air conditioning maintain comfortable temperatures year-round (22–26°C) using only internal heat loads and natural ventilation
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Schwarz
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Schwarz technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Schwarz partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- ZiHausminorZiHaus is referenced as a related entity (zihaus.de), described as the company's 'Haus ohne Heizung' project — a pioneering low-energy building demonstrating the firm's sustainable construction philosophy. It appears to be a project reference/case study rather than a formal partnership.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Schwarz competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- HPP Architekten: Established German architecture firm with century-long history and offices across Germany. Comparable for its full-service offering covering architecture, interior design, and engineering, plus strong public-sector and corporate client base.
- Werner Sobek: German engineering and design firm specializing in sustainable, energy-efficient building design. Closely comparable to Schwarz on the low-tech, sustainability-first design philosophy and integrated engineering approach.
- Staab Architekten: Berlin-based German architecture firm known for cultural, public, and corporate buildings. Comparable for similar full-service scope, German clientele, and recognition in national architecture awards (e.g., Bayerische Architektouren ecosystem).
- Bez + Kock Architekten: Stuttgart-based German architecture firm with public-sector and renovation projects. Comparable in mid-sized firm profile, German public-sector client base, and focus on building in existing contexts.
- Hascher Jehle Architektur: Mid-sized German architecture firm with strong public-sector portfolio including administrative and educational buildings. Comparable in scale, regional German focus, and renovation/new-build service mix.
- gmp Architekten: One of Germany's largest architecture firms with a broad portfolio spanning public buildings, cultural facilities, and urban master planning. Comparable as a German full-service architecture practice with strong public-sector engagement and multi-generational track record.
- Heinle, Wischer und Partner: Stuttgart-based German architecture firm with expertise in renovation, public buildings, and sustainable design. Comparable for similar scope covering existing-building modernization and full architectural services.
Broad incumbents
- Drees & Sommer: Large German real estate and construction consulting firm with broad services spanning planning, engineering, and project management. Comparable as an adjacent player in German building services with sustainability credentials, but operates at much greater scale and broader scope.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Schwarz social profiles
Digital presenceSchwarz financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Schwarz leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Schwarz funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Schwarz M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Schwarz
What does Schwarz do?
Schwarz Architekturbüro Nürnberg is a family-run architecture and engineering firm providing full-service design, planning, and construction supervision across all German HOAI service phases. Its core offerings span five disciplines: Bauen im Bestand (renovation of existing and heritage-protected buildings), Innenarchitektur (New Work interior design for modern agile workspaces), Neubauten (low-tech new construction including the heating-free ZiHaus concept), Elektrotechnik (electrical engineering planning with renewable energy integration), and Haustechnik (building services engineering). The firm primarily serves public-sector clients such as the Bundesagentur für Arbeit, schools, and vocational rehabilitation centers, alongside private commercial enterprises and select private individuals in Bavaria.
Is Schwarz a public or private company?
Schwarz is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Schwarz founded?
Schwarz was founded in 1956. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Schwarz based?
Schwarz is headquartered in Nuremberg, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Schwarz make money?
One revenue line is on record: architectural and Engineering Professional Services.
Who are Schwarz's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are HPP Architekten, Werner Sobek, Staab Architekten, Bez + Kock Architekten, Hascher Jehle Architektur, gmp Architekten and Heinle, Wischer und Partner. Drees & Sommer is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Schwarz have an API?
No public API is recorded for Schwarz.
What industry is Schwarz in?
Schwarz's product category is Architectural Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAKAA, Architectural Design Services. Its NAICS code is 541310 and its SIC code is 8711.