What ORY.architecture does

ORY.architecture is a Paris-based architecture and urban planning firm founded in 1979 by Jean-Jacques Ory, specializing in complex heritage rehabilitation, architectural design, and urban development across multiple typologies including offices, residential, hotels, mixed-use programs, and public facilities. The firm is led since September 2020 by co-directors Samantha Groh and Rahim Rezzouk following the death of its founder, and operates with 51-100 employees from its Paris headquarters. The firm has delivered more than 70 projects across at least eight French regions, with notable clients including Danone, LVMH/Kenzo, COVEA, AG2R LA MONDIALE, Crédit Lyonnais, Crédit Agricole, Apple (Apple Store Opéra), and Hôtel Plaza Athénée, alongside major property developers such as SOGEPROM, Cogedim, Eiffage, OGIC, and Pitch Promotion.

The firm's underlying technical expertise centers on architectural design and BIM-based project management, with strong capabilities in sustainable building certifications (HQE, BREEAM, BBC Effinergie, RE2020) and climate-responsive architecture pursued through its Lab.ORY research platform established in 2020. Projects consistently involve complex restructuring, heritage preservation, and the design of large-scale tertiary and mixed-use programs ranging from 1,267 m² to over 56,000 m². The firm has won multiple industry awards including Pyramides d'Or 2020, Pyramides d'Argent 2019 and 2024, Grand Prix SIMI 2013, and Hospitality Design Award 2015, with regular features in Archistorm magazine and active participation in architectural competitions such as Réinventer Paris and Inventons la Métropole du Grand Paris.

The firm operates a project-based professional services revenue model, earning architecture fees as architect of record (maître d'œuvre) on commissioned or competition-winning projects. Pricing is negotiated based on scope, complexity, and surface area, with no public rate cards. Business development is driven primarily by competition victories, direct commissions from enterprise clients and property developers, and relationship-based referrals. Distribution is via direct enterprise engagement and participation in industry events such as MIPIM, supplemented by thought-leadership content through Lab.ORY (podcasts, conferences) and an active social media presence on LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook.

Name

ORY.architecture

Legal name

ORY.architecture

Website

https://ory-architecture.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

ORY.architecture is a Paris-based architecture and urban planning firm founded in 1979, specializing in complex heritage rehabilitation, sustainable design, and large-scale office, residential, and mixed-use projects for enterprise clients and major French property developers across France.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Design Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (54131), Interior Design Services (54141), Interior Design Services (541410), Landscape Architectural Services (541320), Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Interior Design Services (BPAHAKAB), Landscape Architecture & Site Design (BPAHAKAC), Civil & Structural Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAA)

Keywords

• Architectural design services
• Heritage building rehabilitation
• Urban planning services
• Sustainable architecture consulting
• Commercial real estate development

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Architectural Design and Execution Services: ORY.architecture generates revenue through professional architecture fees charged for the design and execution of construction projects. Revenue is project-based and earned as design milestones and construction phases are completed. The firm is engaged as architect of record (maître d'œuvre) on commissions ranging from office rehabilitation to mixed-use urban developments, with project values ranging from approximately €3.3M to over €100M.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ORY.architecture is an architecture and urban design firm delivering project-based architectural design and execution services across France. The firm's work spans offices, residential, mixed-use, hotel, heritage, and urban planning typologies, with particular expertise in complex rehabilitation and heritage conservation, supported by BIM-based project management, sustainable building certifications (HQE, BREEAM, BBC Effinergie, RE2020), and the Lab.ORY research platform focused on climate architecture.

Product overview

ORY.architecture is an architecture firm offering architectural design, urban planning, complex rehabilitation, and heritage conservation services. The firm provides architectural services across multiple typologies including offices, housing, hotels, cultural facilities, mixed-use programs, and urban development. Their portfolio includes commercial, residential, and institutional projects throughout France. The firm is led by Samantha Groh and Rahim Rezzouk and operates from its headquarters in Paris.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Lab.ORY: Research, development and innovation laboratory focusing on new modes of working, climate architecture, and sustainable building practices

Products and services

• Architectural Design and Execution Services Project-based architecture services covering concept design through execution supervision (maître d'œuvre), delivered across offices, housing, mixed-use, hotel, and cultural typologies for French developers, corporations, and public entities.
• Heritage Building Rehabilitation and Complex Restructuring Specialist architectural rehabilitation services for heritage and complex restructuring projects, including classified buildings, Haussmannian and industrial heritage assets — exemplified by Apple Store Opéra, the Le Centorial (Crédit Lyonnais HQ), and Hôtel Plaza Athénée's expansion and rehabilitation.
• Urban Planning Services Urban design and planning commissions for mixed-use urban blocks, public space, cultural and sports facilities, including projects awarded through Inventons la Métropole du Grand Paris and Réinventer Paris competitions; Saint-Augustin in Nantes and ZAC Maria in Cannes are recognized examples.
• Lab.ORY Research and Innovation Platform ORY.architecture's internal research, development and innovation laboratory focusing on climate-responsive architecture, new modes of working, and sustainable building practices; publishes thematic content, podcasts (the <>Échanger series including Cycle Bois and Architecture de Climat), and hosts conferences such as the April 2025 carbon conference.

Quantifiable outcome

• 44 rue de Châteaudun: 16,320 m² office rehabilitation delivered July 2025
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Architectes SolidairescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerORY.architecture is an active member of the Architectes Solidaires association, participating in pro-bono renovation projects for public benefit institutions. Notable collaborations include renovation of rest areas at Hôpital René-Muret in Sevran. The firm also participated in the #ProtegeTonSoignant initiative during the COVID-19 crisis.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Dominique Perrault Architecture: Paris-based architecture firm with international portfolio of cultural, commercial, and urban projects. Comparable in French heritage, multi-typology capability, and developer/corporate client base.
• Wilmotte & Associés: Wilmotte & Associés is a Paris-based architecture firm (~200 staff) with comparable focus on luxury, commercial, and heritage rehabilitation projects across France and internationally. Strong overlap with ORY.architecture in client base (developers, corporates) and project typologies (offices, mixed-use, heritage).
• Laisné Roussel: French architecture firm with strong emphasis on heritage rehabilitation, sustainable design, and certified buildings (HQE, BREEAM). Comparable to ORY.architecture's niche in complex restructuring and ESG-compliant renovation work.
• Atelier Christian de Portzamparc: Acclaimed Paris-based architecture firm with strong focus on commercial headquarters, cultural facilities, and urban projects. Comparable to ORY.architecture in serving French and international corporates and developers on landmark projects.
• Kardham Group: French architecture, engineering, and design firm serving real estate developers and corporate occupiers across commercial real estate. Comparable in client segments and end-to-end real estate services, though Kardham operates at a larger scale.
• Jean-Paul Viguier & Associés: Paris-based architecture firm specializing in large headquarters, offices, and mixed-use projects. Direct competitor to ORY.architecture for corporate occupier and developer-driven mandates in France, with similar project sizes and certified sustainable design approaches.
• Architecture-Studio: Paris-founded architecture firm with large international portfolio spanning urban planning, cultural facilities, offices, and housing. Directly comparable to ORY.architecture in scale, French heritage, and multi-typology practice, with similar competition-driven GTM.

Broad incumbents

• Foster + Partners: Global architecture firm with significant French commercial and heritage projects. Competes with ORY.architecture for large corporate headquarters and mixed-use mandates, but at a much larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
• Renzo Piano Building Workshop: Global architecture firm with established French and international portfolio of cultural, commercial, and civic buildings. Overlaps with ORY.architecture's project typologies and competes for landmark commercial mandates, though at a much larger scale.

Emerging players

• BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group): Internationally recognized architecture firm with strong sustainability focus, increasingly competing for European corporate headquarters and urban development projects. Comparable in sustainability credentials and innovation positioning; emerging as a global competitor to firms like ORY.architecture.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ORY.Architecture
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ory-architecture
• Instagraminstagram.com/ory_architecture
• Pinterestpinterest.fr/oryarchitecture

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 ORY.architecture