In Situ Architecture

What In Situ Architecture does

IN SITU Architecture is a Paris-headquartered architecture firm founded in 2008 by Nicolas Vernoux-Thélot that specializes in biomimetic and bioclimatic design - applying biology-derived principles (plant phyllotaxis for solar optimization, African termite mound ventilation patterns, polygonal wood mesh structural systems, compressed earth block construction) to buildings in varied climate contexts including France, Senegal, the French West Indies, and the United States.

The firm delivers full architectural missions (concept, design, project management, construction supervision) across residential, social/affordable housing, educational, cultural/religious, hospitality, and commercial segments for government clients (French OPH offices, municipalities), educational institutions, NGOs, and private developers. Technical differentiators include reported passive cooling of -3°C to -5°C without mechanical systems, ~36% carbon reduction versus standard construction (per ACV of 0.773 T/EqCO2/m²), 50% material savings using reclaimed wood structures, and certifications at H&E profile A, BBC RT 2012, and THPE levels. Proprietary tooling includes the Up*BiB parametric urban design software, co-developed with RDP Laboratory (CNRS) and NOBATEK/INEF4, that auto-generates low-carbon urban forms optimized for solar gains, wind, heat island reduction, and carbon output.

The revenue model is professional services fees earned through direct commissions and competitive public tenders, with no disclosed productized pricing. The firm is founder-owned, has 1-10 employees, and has secured an extensive portfolio of international architecture awards (Architecture Masterprize 2019/2022, IDA Gold 2022, Green Solutions at COP28 2023, Eurasia Prize 2023) supported by press coverage in Le Monde, CNRS Journal, Pour la Science, and Le Moniteur. R&D partnerships with CEREMA, CNRS, NOBATEK, and ALKANTE provide institutional research backing for continued evolution of parametric design tooling.

Name

In Situ Architecture

Legal name

IN SITU Architecture

Website

https://insitu-architecture.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Paris-based architecture firm (founded 2008) specializing in biomimetic and bioclimatic design for residential, educational, cultural, hospitality, and social housing projects across France, Senegal, the French West Indies, and the United States, using proprietary parametric tools and bio-sourced materials.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainable Architecture Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (541310), Landscape Architectural Services (54132), Interior Design Services (541410)

SIC

General Bldg Contractors - Nonresidential Bldgs (1540)

akta.pro primary industry

Landscape Architecture & Site Design (BPAHAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Engagement & Participatory Planning (BPAHAKAO), Hospitality & Entertainment Venue Construction (IMAFACAC), Residential Design-Build & Renovation-Integrated Builders (IMAFABAE), Commercial Landscape Design & Installation (HSAIABAJ)

Keywords

• Sustainable architecture services
• Biomimetic building design
• Bioclimatic urban planning
• Parametric design software
• Landscape architecture

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Architecture and Design Services: Full architectural missions including design, project management, and construction supervision for residential, commercial, educational, cultural, and hospitality projects. Revenue is generated through professional service fees for design commissions.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

IN SITU Architecture delivers full architectural missions (design, project management, construction supervision) for residential, commercial, educational, cultural, hospitality, religious, and sports facilities, applying biomimetic and bioclimatic design principles, passive solar optimization, termite-mound inspired ventilation, and bio-sourced/recycled materials. The firm also develops the Up*BiB parametric design software and proprietary architectural IP (solar-optimization algorithm, polygonal mesh wood structure) and operates from Paris and Saint Barthélemy for projects in France, Senegal, the French West Indies, and the United States.

Product overview

In Situ Architecture operates as an architecture firm offering two main products: (1) Architecture design services covering residential, commercial, hospitality, educational, cultural, and sports projects with a focus on biomimetic and bioclimatic approaches, and (2) Up*BiB, a proprietary software solution that auto-generates low-carbon urban forms and building templates using biomimetic algorithms optimizing for solar energy, wind patterns, and carbon reduction.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Affordable and Social Housing Architecture Services End-to-end architectural design, project management, and construction supervision for affordable and social housing developments delivered for French OPH (public housing offices) and municipalities, applying biomimetic and bioclimatic design, passive solar optimization, and bio-sourced materials to achieve HQE, H&E, BBC RT 2012, and THPE environmental certifications.
• Educational Facility Architecture Services Full architectural design and delivery of universities, schools, and training centers for private education operators and public education ministries, using compressed earth blocks (BTC), bio-sourced materials (76%+ in reference projects), and termite-mound inspired natural ventilation systems to provide thermal comfort in hot climates without mechanical cooling.
• Hospitality Architecture Services Architectural design and construction supervision of boutique hotels, guest houses, and resorts for private hotel investors seeking iconic, sustainable architecture with passive cooling and bio-sourced materials to reduce HVAC costs in tropical climates.
• Cultural and Religious Architecture Services Full architectural design and construction supervision of churches, cathedrals, cultural centers, and community facilities for religious institutions (archdioceses, dioceses) and cultural/charitable foundations, leveraging termite-mound inspired passive ventilation and biomimetic forms for iconic, thermally efficient sacred architecture.
• Commercial Office and Retail Architecture Services Renovation and conversion of offices, commercial, and retail spaces using circular economy materials, bio-sourced finishes, acoustic optimization, and rooftop gardens to deliver sustainable certified workspaces for corporate occupiers and commercial property owners.
• Urban Planning and Eco-District Architecture Services Large-scale urban planning, eco-district master planning, and landscape design for municipalities and private developers, integrating the firm's Up*BiB parametric design outputs with bio-sourced materials, passive solar orientation, and heat island mitigation strategies.
• Up*BiB (Ultra Passive Bio-Inspired Building) Parametric Design Software Parametric software solution that auto-generates low-carbon building and neighborhood templates using passive solar energy and wind, performing multi-criteria optimization of energy consumption, heat island reduction potential, and carbon emissions; developed for urban planning decisions and as the firm's primary IP for biomimetic project design.

Quantifiable outcome

• Passive cooling achieving -3°C to -5°C temperature reduction without mechanical systems
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• CEREMAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2021Partnership signed in May 2021 between IN SITU Architecture's R&D division and CEREMA (Centre d'Etudes et d'Expertise sur les Risques, l'Environnement, la Mobilité et l'Aménagement) to pool competencies and accelerate sustainable architecture projects.
• RDP Laboratory (CNRS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 April 2019Unique tripartite partnership between IN SITU Architecture, RDP Laboratory (CNRS biology research lab), and NOBATEK (Energy Transition Institute) bringing together architects, biologists, and research engineers to create biomimetic architecture and urban planning.
• NOBATEK / INEF4coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership for biomimetic architecture combining architecture expertise with energy transition research, integrated into the RDP-CEREMA-NOBATEK consortium for sustainable development projects.
• Laboratoire RDPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCNRS-affiliated biology laboratory collaborating on biomimetic research projects including the Up*BiB software development and bio-inspired building envelope research.
• CSTB (Centre Scientifique et Technique du Bâtiment)secondaryTechnology or IntegrationTraining and certification in HQE (High Environmental Quality) approach delivered by CSTB, indicating technical collaboration on sustainable building standards.
• ALKANTEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in the Alternative Vertes 2 program as part of the IN SITU LAB / RDP Lab / ALKANTE consortium for the Up*BiB Ultra Passive Bio-Inspired Building research project.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Foster + Partners: Global architecture heavyweight with a sustainability and R&D division (e.g., Bloomberg HQ, Apple Park). Competes for large cultural, civic, and master-planning commissions where IN SITU also bids.
• Heatherwick Studio: London-based design studio combining architecture, public realm, and bio-inspired material experimentation (UK Pavilion, Coal Drops Yard). Comparable on biomimetic and material-led design thinking.
• Snøhetta: International architecture and landscape practice with deep sustainability focus (Powerhouse Telemark, SFMOMA expansion). Overlaps with IN SITU on integrated landscape-architecture and climate-responsive design, but at much larger scale.
• Studio Gang: Chicago-based practice led by Jeanne Gang with strong sustainability, ecology-driven, and biomimetic credentials (Aqua Tower, Nature Boardwalk). Overlaps with IN SITU on bio-inspired design but operates at significantly larger scale.
• Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG): Global innovator in architecture and urbanism with growing sustainability focus (LEED Platinum projects, biodiversity-positive masterplans). Competes for cultural and civic commissions where IN SITU also operates.

Direct peers

• KieranTimberlake: Philadelphia-based practice known for technology-driven, research-oriented sustainable design (Cellophane House, Loblolly House). Comparable in marrying R&D, parametric tools, and environmental performance into small-team architectural practice.
• Vincent Callebaut Architectures: Paris-based architecture practice focused on biomimetic, eco-friendly, and carbon-negative design (e.g., Lilium Tower, Aequorea floating towers). Closest direct peer to IN SITU in geography, scale, and biomimetic methodology.
• WOHA Architects: Singapore-based practice globally recognized for biophilic and climate-responsive design (Oasia Hotel, Kampung Admiralty). Strong overlap with IN SITU on passive cooling, tropical climate design, and bio-inspired envelopes.
• Shigeru Ban Architects: Pritzker Prize-winning practice recognized for innovative use of sustainable and unconventional materials (paper tubes, recycled materials) in humanitarian and cultural projects. Comparable on experimental materials and global cultural/religious commissions.
• Jakob + MacFarlane: Paris-based architecture firm known for innovative, sustainable, and technologically experimental design (Cité de la Musique, FRAC Nord-Pas-de-Calais). Comparable as a small, design-led French practice pushing material and environmental innovation.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/in.situ.architecture.paris
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/in-situ-architecture-s.a.r.l

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about In Situ Architecture