What DFZ Architects does

DFZ Architects (DFZ Architekten GmbH) is a Hamburg-based German architecture firm specializing in commercial and public-sector construction, conversion, and renovation. The firm provides full architectural services across all German service phases (Leistungsphasen 1–9), from participation in architectural competitions through detailed design, construction administration, and project closeout, using ArchiCAD as its primary BIM/CAD platform. It serves a client mix that includes public educational and research institutions (Schulbau Hamburg, DESY, Kiel University), cultural institutions (Berliner Ensemble, Hamburg State Opera, Bremer Theater, Lippstadt Museum), religious communities (Jewish Community Berlin, St. Nikolai-Kirche), and corporate clients (IKEA Germany, BAUHAUS, BMW Germany), with project types spanning new educational buildings, heritage refurbishment, research facilities, residential developments, and workplace campuses.

The firm operates from three offices — Hamburg (headquarters), Berlin, and Vienna — and is supplemented by a subsidiary, DFZ Generalplaner GmbH, which delivers integrated general-planning services. The go-to-market model relies on architectural competitions and public tender procedures, particularly for public-sector mandates; revenue is generated through professional-services fees structured under the mandatory German HOAI fee schedule. The current ownership consists of four partners (Peter Dinse, Johann Zurl, Nicolas Britsch, Stephen Kausch) following a 2013 restructuring from the predecessor practice Dinse Feest Zurl and a brand re-launch in March 2014.

As a private GmbH, DFZ does not disclose revenue or headcount figures beyond a 11–50 employee band; based on office count, project scale, and client roster, revenue is estimated in the low single-digit to low double-digit million-euro range. The firm is a recognized mid-market German architectural practice with BDA-level award credentials and recurring publication in architectural media (Bauwelt, Detail, DBZ), competing primarily in the cultural, educational, and public-research verticals rather than in private commercial real estate development.

Name

DFZ Architects

Legal name

DFZ Architekten GmbH

Website

https://dfz-architekten.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

DFZ Architects is a Hamburg-based German architecture firm providing full-service design (LPH 1–9) for public, cultural, educational, and corporate clients, with additional offices in Berlin and Vienna and a general-planning subsidiary.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (54131), Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), General Bldg Contractors - Residential Bldgs (1520)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Building Information Modeling (BIM) & Digital Design Services (BPAHAKAK), Space Planning & Workplace Design (BPAHAKAI)

Keywords

• Architectural design services
• General planning services
• Heritage building conversion
• Urban design planning
• Sustainable construction services

Headquarters

HQ city

Hamburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Architectural Design and Planning Services: DFZ Architekten GmbH provides full architectural design and general planning (Generalplaner) services across all project phases (LPH 1-9), generating revenue through professional service fees billed to public and private clients. Services encompass competition design, feasibility studies, schematic design, detailed design, tendering, construction management, and artistic direction. A subsidiary, DFZ Generalplaner GmbH, handles integrated general planning services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

DFZ Architects provides full-service architectural design and general planning (Generalplaner) services across all HOAI project phases (LPH 1-9) for public authorities, developers, universities, research institutions, and private enterprises. The portfolio covers cultural, residential, educational, commercial, administrative, research, urban design, and heritage refurbishment projects. A wholly-owned subsidiary, DFZ Generalplaner GmbH, delivers integrated general planning on complex commissions from the same Hamburg office.

Product overview

DFZ Architekten is an architectural firm offering a unified service portfolio centered on architectural design and planning. The core offering encompasses comprehensive architectural services spanning all project phases (LPH 1-9), complemented by the subsidiary DFZ Generalplaner GmbH for integrated general planning. Their portfolio covers diverse building typologies including residential, educational, cultural, commercial, administrative, research facilities, urban design, and refurbishment projects. The firm operates from three locations: Hamburg (headquarters), Berlin, and Vienna.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Architectural Design Services (DFZ Architekten) Full-service architectural design and planning for public and private clients across all HOAI project phases (LPH 1-9) — covering cultural, residential, educational, commercial, administrative, research, urban design, and heritage refurbishment projects.
• General Planning Services (DFZ Generalplaner GmbH) Integrated general planning services for complex construction projects, delivered from the same Hamburg office, providing single-point-of-accountability planning coordination across disciplines.

Named customers17 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Flechter Priest ArchitectsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on Baufeld 84 HafenCity Hamburg 'Neuhavn' project, where DFZ designed Baufeld 84a and worked alongside Flechter Priest Architects on 84b within a larger residential and mixed-use ensemble.
• bof ArchitektenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on Baufeld 84 HafenCity Hamburg 'Neuhavn' ensemble, where DFZ worked alongside bof Architekten on Baufeld 84c as part of a multi-firm development at Baakenhafen.
• Atelier LoidlcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDFZ collaborated with landscape architecture firm Atelier Loidl on multiple projects including the Holtenau Ost urban development competition in Kiel (3rd prize, 2021) and the Bucerius Law School expansion (3rd prize, 2021). Atelier Loidl provides landscape architecture services on these joint entries.
• Posad Maxwan (Den Haag)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDFZ collaborated with urban planning firm Posad Maxwan from The Hague on the Holtenau Ost urban development competition in Kiel (3rd prize, 2021) and the Halbinsel Kesselstraße competition in Düsseldorf (1st prize, 2019).
• Ferrier Marchetti (Paris)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDFZ collaborated with Parisian architecture firm Ferrier Marchetti on the Verwaltungsneubau Wandsbek competition in Hamburg (2nd prize, 2020), alongside G2 Landschaft Hamburg for landscape design.
• G2 Landschaft (Hamburg)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape architecture partner collaborating with DFZ on the Verwaltungsneubau Wandsbek competition in Hamburg (2nd prize, 2020), alongside Ferrier Marchetti.
• ConplanminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDFZ represented the building group (Baugruppe) Conplan in the execution of the Dock 71 project in HafenCity Hamburg, completed in 2016.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Auer Weber: Mid-sized Munich-based architecture practice with strong public-sector and cultural portfolio, comparable headcount range, and similar competition-led positioning. Overlaps with DFZ on educational and civic building typologies.
• HPP Architekten: Established German architecture firm headquartered in Düsseldorf with broad public, commercial, cultural, and education portfolio at a similar scale to DFZ. Comparable typological spread and public-procurement experience.
• KSP ENGEL: Mid-sized German architecture firm headquartered in Hamburg with a parallel public-sector, education, and cultural-typology focus, plus comparable competition-driven GTM. Same regional market and similar project scale make it the closest direct peer.
• Bez+Kock Architekten: Stuttgart-based German architecture practice of similar size with public-sector and cultural building expertise. Comparable competition participation and project scale to DFZ.
• Staab Architekten: Berlin-based architecture practice of comparable size focused on cultural, public, and museum architecture. Direct overlap with DFZ on cultural and heritage-sensitive commissions, and comparable competition track record.
• Barkow Leibinger: Berlin-based architecture firm of similar size, recognized for cultural, research, and commercial commissions including work for research institutions. Comparable in scale and typology focus to DFZ.
• Hascher Jehle Architekten: Berlin-headquartered German architecture practice of comparable size with strong presence in public, cultural, and commercial architecture. Similar competition-driven GTM and similar typological range.

Broad incumbents

• gmp Architekten: Hamburg-headquartered global architecture practice, far larger than DFZ, with deep public-sector and cultural portfolio including major German infrastructure. Frequently competes for the same Hamburg and federal public commissions as DFZ.
• David Chipperfield Architects Berlin: Berlin office of the international David Chipperfield Architects practice, with a strong cultural and heritage portfolio including work in Germany. Larger and more internationally focused than DFZ, but a benchmark peer for cultural and conversion commissions.
• HENN Architekten: Larger Munich-headquartered German architecture practice with broad cultural, education, research, and workplace portfolio. Operates at greater scale than DFZ but in the same German public/commercial market, often competing for the same commissions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dfz-architekten

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about DFZ Architects