Dl-c, designlab-construction

What Dl-c, designlab-construction does

Dl-c, designlab-construction s.a. is a Geneva-based architectural practice founded in April 2012 by Patrick Devanthéry, Thierry Décosterd, and José Antonio Ramos, evolving from the predecessor firm Devanthéry & Lamunière. The firm delivers full-lifecycle architectural services — feasibility studies, competition entries, design, construction direction, and site supervision — across new construction, renovation, and conversion projects in housing, administrative, commercial, and public building typologies throughout Switzerland. The 16-person team blends senior partners with extensive reputations (Devanthéry is a former Harvard visiting professor, former President of the Federation of Swiss Architects, and 2011 Meret Oppenheim Prize laureate) and a new generation of architects, with additional partners Antonio Clemente (2024) and Alfonso de Fontecha (2019) on the bench.

The practice is differentiated by its commitment to rational, functional architecture that prioritises site, orientation, light, programme, and client aspirations over signature styling, combined with method-led sustainable design evidenced by Minergie P-ECO certification on Les Maraîchers and THPE 2000-Watts compliance on Malagnou-Velours. Revenue is generated exclusively through professional service fees on a project-by-project basis; go-to-market is sales-led via participation in invited and open architectural competitions, direct mandates from private and public clients, and consortium arrangements with peer architecture firms.

Key named counterparties include consortium partner Lopes & Pèrinet-Marquet Architectes EPFL Sàrl (Adret Pont-Rouge ~200 apartments, Romand Real Estate Award 2025-winning Les Maraîchers) and In Situ (Adret Pont-Rouge), with public/housing-foundation clients including Hospice Général, FPLC, FNB, and Cooplog Pont Rouge, and contractors such as HRS on the Croset-Parc neighbourhood in Ecublens. The firm is privately held, management-owned with no institutional investors, parent, or subsidiaries, and operates from a single headquarters at Rue du Nant 7, 1207 Geneva.

Name

Dl-c, designlab-construction

Legal name

dl-c, designlab-construction s.a.

Website

https://dl-c.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Geneva-based architecture firm founded in 2012 delivering full-lifecycle architectural design — feasibility through construction supervision — across housing, administrative, commercial, and public sectors throughout Switzerland, with 16 collaborators and notable strength in sustainable and social housing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (541310), Architectural Services (54131), Residential Building Construction (23611), Nonresidential Building Construction (2362), Interior Design Services (541410)

SIC

General Bldg Contractors - Residential Bldgs (1520)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAHAKAK

Building Information Modeling (BIM) & Digital Design Services

Business & Public Services/Professional Services (Legal, Accounting, Consulting)/Architecture, Design & Planning Services

SECONDARYIMAFABAE

Residential Design-Build & Renovation-Integrated Builders

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Construction & Civil Engineering/Residential Building Construction

SECONDARYIMAFAAAD

Design-Build / EPC General Contracting

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Construction & Civil Engineering/General Contracting & Construction Management

Keywords

• Architectural design services
• Construction management services
• Residential architecture design
• Renovation and conversion services
• Urban development planning

Headquarters

HQ city

Genève

HQ country

Switzerland

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 services: Professional fees for architectural design and construction management services, covering all phases from feasibility studies and competition entries through to construction supervision and site management, for projects of all scales in housing, administrative, commercial, and public sectors.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Dl-c, designlab-construction is a Geneva-based architectural practice that delivers comprehensive architectural services across all project phases, from feasibility studies and competition entries through to construction supervision and site management. The firm designs new buildings, renovations, and conversions across housing (rental, co-ownership, social, and student), administrative, commercial, and public building typologies. It also provides construction direction and urban planning services, often working in consortium with partner firms on major neighbourhood developments throughout Switzerland.

Product overview

Dl-c, designlab-construction is a Geneva-based architectural practice led by three associates: Patrick Devanthéry, Thierry Décosterd, and José Antonio Ramos. The firm delivers comprehensive architectural services spanning all project phases from feasibility studies through construction completion, including submission management and site supervision. The offering encompasses architectural design, construction management, competition participation, renovation and conversion work, and urban development. Projects span housing (rental, co-ownership, social, and student accommodation), administrative, commercial, and public building sectors. The practice employs 16 collaborators combining experienced architects with a new generation bringing fresh approaches. Notable project types include the Minergie P-ECO certified Les Maraîchers housing development and the THPE 2000-Watt compliant Malagnou-Velours project.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Architectural Design Services Comprehensive architectural services covering all phases of project realization from feasibility studies to construction completion, including submission management and site supervision. The firm handles projects across housing, administrative, commercial, and public building domains, serving private developers, public institutions, and housing foundations in Switzerland.
• Construction Management Construction direction and site management services overseeing project execution, contractor coordination, and quality control through all stages of building delivery. Includes responsibility for project delivery across consortium-led neighbourhood developments.
• Renovation and Conversion Specialized renovation services for existing buildings, including heritage conservation, façade renovation, adaptive reuse projects, and individual housing renovations. Includes sustainability upgrades and THPE 2000-Watt compliant retrofits.
• Urban Development Urban planning and design services including master planning for new neighbourhoods and urban renewal projects, delivered through competition entries, consortium partnerships, and direct mandates for new district-scale developments.

Quantifiable outcome

• First residents moved into Les Maraîchers — innovative buildings with @Minergie P-ECO label embodying spatial and urban integration
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Lopes & Périnet-Marquet Architectes EPFL SàrlcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing consortium partner on major housing projects. Together with dl-c, Lopes & Périnet-Marquet formed the winning consortium for the Mandat d'Étude Parallèle for the Maraîchers demolition and reconstruction project in Plainpalais, Geneva (2018). The partnership also delivered the Adret Pont-Rouge neighbourhood (lots B+C) — approximately 200 apartments across 6 buildings — with dl-c providing construction management and Lopes & Périnet handling design. The Maraîchers project won the Romand Real Estate Award 2025.
• In Situ (architecture firm)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner alongside dl-c and Lopes & Périnet for the Adret Pont-Rouge neighbourhood development project in Lancy, Geneva.
• Burrus-Nussbaumer, B+S and VWAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultidisciplinary consortium partners for the Fontenette Pool extension competition in Carouge, GE. dl-c won 2nd prize (2nd place) in this architectural competition.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Burckhardt+Partner: Long-established Swiss architecture practice (founded 1946) with offices across Switzerland. Alfonso de Fontecha worked there before joining dl-c. Direct overlap in housing, renovation, and mixed-use typologies, but larger portfolio and geographic footprint.
• Herzog & de Meuron: Globally-renowned Basel-based architecture firm with extensive housing, public, and cultural portfolio. Significantly larger and more international than dl-c, but relevant for comparison on Swiss typologies and award pedigree.

Others

• HRS Real Estate AG: Swiss general contractor (HRS) acting as GC on dl-c's Croset-Parc neighbourhood (7 buildings, 256 apartments). Not an architectural peer, but a recurring project partner and key counterpart in dl-c's consortium-style delivery model.

Direct peers

• Diener & Diener Architekten: Basel-based architecture firm with international reputation for residential, cultural, and urban projects. Comparable typology scope (housing, public, commercial) and Swiss context, though slightly larger and more internationally oriented.
• Peter Zumthor: Internationally acclaimed Swiss architect based in Haldenstein. Highly comparable as a Swiss architecture practice rooted in materiality and contextual design, though operating at the boutique / sole-practitioner scale on fewer, larger projects.
• Studio Mario Botta: Ticino- and Mendrisio-based Swiss architecture practice with broad portfolio across housing, public buildings, and cultural facilities. Similar full-service project delivery model and Swiss market focus.
• Atelier 5: Swiss architecture firm with deep housing and public-building portfolio. Same Swiss context, same architectural sensibility around rational/functional modernism, similar mid-sized scale.
• Guenin Atelier d'Architectures SA: Geneva-based architecture firm where partner Antonio Clemente worked 2014-2020 before joining dl-c. Same Swiss Romande market, comparable scale, similar housing and public-building typologies.
• AAS Architecture: Swiss architecture practice that collaborated with José Antonio Ramos on competition work. Similar residential and public-building portfolio and Swiss context.
• Lopes & Périnet-Marquet Architectes EPFL Sàrl: Geneva-based architecture practice and dl-c's primary consortium partner, jointly delivering ~200 apartments at Adret Pont-Rouge and the award-winning Les Maraîchers project. Same typology focus (housing, public), same Swiss Romande geography, similar scale.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dl-c-designlab-construction-sa
• Instagraminstagram.com/dlc_architectes

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Dl-c, designlab-construction