apd
apd is a Frankfurt-based architecture and engineering partnership of ~25 professionals delivering full-service planning, sustainability consulting, and DGNB certification across all HOAI phases to municipalities, universities, financial institutions, and real estate developers in Germany.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1997
- HeadquartersFrankfort, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What apd does
apd architektur+ingenieurbüro is a Frankfurt am Main-based architecture and engineering partnership (Partnerschaft mbB) founded in 1997 and structured as an equal-partner firm led by Ulf Pauli, Olaf Kahl, and Luca Di Mauro. The firm operates with a team of approximately 25 architects and engineers from its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main and a second office in Gießen (Büro Mittelhessen), delivering full-service planning across all HOAI Leistungsphasen (service phases 1-9).
The service portfolio spans architecture, sustainability and DGNB certification consulting, project management, office concept design, and interior design. Technical capabilities are anchored in Building Information Modeling (BIM), building simulation tools used for energy and indoor-climate optimization, and a 'Low-Tech' design philosophy emphasizing simple, efficient systems and natural operating principles. apd is one of a limited number of firms authorized to conduct DGNB certifications and has secured a distinctive portfolio of sustainability firsts, including the first DGNB Gold for a fire station (Caldern, 2021), the first DGNB Diamond for a renovation (Goethestraße 2, Frankfurt, 2022), and LEED Platinum for the Silvers office revitalization in Düsseldorf.
Commercially, apd generates revenue through professional services fees on a project-by-project basis, governed by German HOAI fee regulations. The go-to-market is enterprise field sales and competition-based acquisition, targeting municipalities, universities, financial institutions, and real estate developers. Select clients include Commerzbank, Aareal Bank, Deka Immobilien, Medcap Real Estate, European Value Partners Junghof, LUWIN Real Estate Managers, and Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen. The firm is privately held with no external investment, no funding rounds, and no parent company.
apd firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- apd
- Legal name
- apd architektur+ingenieurbüro Ulf Pauli und Partner mbB
- Website
- https://apd-architekten.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1997
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- apd is a Frankfurt-based architecture and engineering partnership of ~25 professionals delivering full-service planning, sustainability consulting, and DGNB certification across all HOAI phases to municipalities, universities, financial institutions, and real estate developers in Germany.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
apd industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Architecture and Engineering Services
- NAICS
- Architectural Services (54131), Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413), Engineering Services (541330), Interior Design Services (54141)
- SIC
- Services-Engineering Services (8711), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Community Engagement & Participatory Planning (BPAHAKAO)
Keywords
Where apd is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Frankfort
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
apd business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Architecture and Engineering Services: Full-service architecture and engineering firm providing services across all HOAI Leistungsphasen (service phases 1-9). Revenue is generated through professional services fees for project planning, design, construction management, and building certification. Services include architecture, sustainability consulting, project management, office concepts, and interior design.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
apd product offering
Product offeringCore offering
apd architektur+ingenieurbüro is a Frankfurt-based partnership delivering integrated architecture and engineering services across all HOAI service phases. The firm focuses on sustainable, low-tech office, administrative, and educational building projects, covering new construction, renovation, and existing-building modernization. Service offerings span architecture, sustainability consulting, project management, office concepts, interior design, and DGNB certification.
Product overview
APD architektur+ingenieurbüro is an interdisciplinary architecture and engineering firm offering integrated planning services. The core portfolio centers on Architektur (architecture) as the primary service, supplemented by Nachhaltigkeit (sustainability consulting with DGNB certification), Projektmanagement (project management), Bürokonzepte (office concept design), and Innenraumgestaltung (interior design). The firm specializes in office and administrative buildings, university construction, and building in existing structures. Projects range from new construction to revitalization and renovation, with a strong focus on sustainable and energy-efficient building practices. APD operates primarily in the German market with completed projects across multiple federal states.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Architektur (Architecture) Integrated architectural design services across all HOAI service phases (1–9), covering new builds and complex renovations of office, administrative, and educational buildings for public and private clients.
- Nachhaltigkeit (Sustainability) Sustainability consulting and low-tech building design, leveraging passive measures and climate-adapted design principles to reduce operational energy demand and support long-term lifecycle performance for building projects.
- DGNB Zertifizierung (DGNB Certification) Certification consulting for DGNB (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen) building certification, supporting clients in achieving recognized sustainability certification for their buildings.
- Projektmanagement (Project Management) Project management services for building and renovation projects, covering coordination, scheduling, and oversight across HOAI service phases.
- Bürokonzepte (Office Concepts) Office and workspace concept development, including spatial layout and functional planning for office and administrative buildings, delivered as part of the firm's integrated architectural offering.
- Innenraumgestaltung (Interior Design) Interior design services for office and administrative buildings, integrated with the firm's architectural and sustainability offering to deliver coherent interior environments.
Quantifiable outcome
- First fire station in DGNB history to receive Gold certification (Feuerwehrhaus Caldern)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use apd
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
apd technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
apd partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen (DGNB)coreapd is a member of DGNB and authorized to conduct DGNB certification audits and submissions for buildings and quarters. The DGNB certification serves as an independent planning and optimization tool for implementing holistic quality in planning, construction, and operation of sustainable buildings.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
apd competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Barkow Leibinger: Berlin- and US-based architecture firm with comparable focus on integrated design, innovation, and sustainability in cultural and commercial buildings. Similar in profile as an internationally recognized mid-sized practice.
- JSK Architekten: Berlin-based German architecture practice of comparable size to apd, active in office, public, and renovation projects. Closely comparable in service breadth, project scale, and positioning as a mid-sized interdisciplinary practice.
- Sauerbruch Hutton: Berlin-based architecture practice known for sustainable design and complex urban projects, closely comparable to apd's emphasis on sustainability certifications and integrated design methodology.
- BG Ingenieure und Architekten: German interdisciplinary architecture and engineering firm similar in integrated 'Architektur + Ingenieurbüro' model and comparable scale to apd, with shared focus on building stock renovation.
Broad incumbents
- gmp Architekten: One of Germany's largest and most established architecture firms with a global footprint, comparable to apd for delivering large-scale institutional, cultural, and commercial building projects. Operates at significantly larger scale across many geographies.
- KSP Engel: Mid-to-large German architecture firm active in office towers, public buildings, and urban revitalization — directly comparable to apd for commercial and municipal building commissions.
- HPP Architekten: Long-established German architecture practice with deep experience in office, public, and renovation projects — directly comparable to apd's office, civic, and revitalization segments. Operates at larger scale with multiple offices in Germany.
- HENN Architekten: German architecture and design firm with strong reputation in workplace, cultural, and educational buildings. Comparable to apd in delivering integrated architecture and engineering services across HOAI-equivalent phases.
Regional players
- Diener & Diener Architekten: Swiss architecture firm with similar mid-sized practice profile and focus on cultural, public, and renovation projects. Comparable in service offering but operating primarily in Switzerland rather than Germany.
Others
- DGNB (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen): Not a peer but the certification body apd partners with; included as an ecosystem reference given apd's authorized-auditor status with DGNB, which is central to its differentiated market positioning.
Market position
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks4 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
apd social profiles
Digital presenceapd compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
apd financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
apd leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
apd funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
apd 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 apd
What does apd do?
apd architektur+ingenieurbüro is a Frankfurt-based partnership delivering integrated architecture and engineering services across all HOAI service phases. The firm focuses on sustainable, low-tech office, administrative, and educational building projects, covering new construction, renovation, and existing-building modernization. Service offerings span architecture, sustainability consulting, project management, office concepts, interior design, and DGNB certification.
Is apd a public or private company?
apd is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was apd founded?
apd was founded in 1997. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is apd based?
apd is headquartered in Frankfort, United States, in the North America region.
How does apd make money?
One revenue line is on record: architecture and Engineering Services.
Who are apd's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Barkow Leibinger, JSK Architekten, Sauerbruch Hutton and BG Ingenieure und Architekten. Broad incumbents are gmp Architekten, KSP Engel, HPP Architekten and HENN Architekten. Diener & Diener Architekten is listed as a regional player. DGNB (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen) is listed as an others.
Does apd have an API?
No public API is recorded for apd.
What industry is apd in?
apd's product category is Architecture and Engineering Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAKAO, Community Engagement & Participatory Planning. Its NAICS code is 54131 and its SIC code is 8711.