HEMAA

What HEMAA does

HEMAA Architectes is a Paris-based architecture and urban planning firm founded in 2018 by Charles Hesters and Pierre Martin-Saint-Etienne, both HMONP graduates of the ENSAP Paris Val de Seine (2012). The firm operates as a SARL (société à responsabilité limitée) with €5,000 share capital and is headquartered in Paris's 20th arrondissement at 24-32 Rue des Amandiers, within the Cité Artisanale des Amandiers. HEMAA provides full-service architectural and urban planning services primarily to French public sector clients — municipalities, departmental councils, agglomeration communities, and public cultural institutions — won through competitive public tenders (concours), with a secondary line of work serving private developers in social and mixed-use housing.

The firm's core technical capability is deep expertise in sustainable, low-carbon architecture using biosourced materials including rammed earth (pisé), straw bale insulation, reclaimed brick and stone, and low-carbon concrete. Projects are designed to comply with or exceed France's RE2020 environmental regulations, with multiple commissions achieving E3C1 and E3C2 energy performance levels, HQE certification at Excellent or Exceptionnel grades, and PassivHaus standards. The practice covers all scales of architecture — from individual houses to stadium renovations — across a portfolio exceeding 50 projects, comprising school complexes, gymnasiums, cultural centers, libraries, social housing, museums, and sports infrastructure.

HEMAA operates a project-based professional services business model. Revenue is generated through architectural design fees negotiated per project based on scope, complexity, and public procurement regulations, with construction budgets in the firm's portfolio ranging from approximately €2 million (small housing) to €70 million (Stade Francis le Basser stadium renovation). The firm scales capacity by partnering with a stable ecosystem of engineering consultancies (ANA Ingénierie, OTE, LASA, BETEM, Bollinger et Grohmann), associated architectural firms (Hesters-Oyon Architectes, Parages), and specialization partners (Aqora for scenography, Galerie Blanche for exhibition design), enabling it to compete for concours at scale without expanding its permanent headcount proportionally.

Name

HEMAA

Legal name

Hemaa

Website

https://hemaarchitectes.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

HEMAA Architectes is a Paris-based sustainable architecture and urban planning firm founded in 2018. It serves French municipalities, public institutions, and private developers through competitive tenders, specializing in low-carbon biosourced-material design across schools, cultural buildings, sports facilities, and housing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

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

Revenue model

1. Architecture and Engineering Services: HEMAA generates revenue through architectural design services for public and private construction projects, primarily won through competitive public tenders (concours). Projects range from social housing and schools to cultural centers and sports facilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

HEMAA is a Paris-based architecture and urban planning firm that delivers full-service architectural design for public facilities, educational and cultural buildings, sports infrastructure, social and private housing, and urban development projects. The firm specializes in sustainable, low-carbon design using biosourced materials such as rammed earth (pisé), straw bale insulation, reclaimed brick and stone, and timber construction, achieving compliance with France's RE2020 environmental regulations and PassivHaus/HQE certifications.

Product overview

HEMAA is an architecture and urban planning firm based in Paris, France, founded by Charles Hesters and Pierre Martin-Saint-Etienne. The firm operates as a single unified practice offering comprehensive architectural services rather than a modular product platform. Their portfolio spans cultural facilities (museums, conservatories, libraries), educational buildings (schools, gymnasiums, childcare centers), sports facilities (stadiums, sports complexes), housing (social and private residential), and urban planning projects. The firm emphasizes sustainable architecture using biosourced materials, wood construction, and low-carbon building approaches across all project types.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Architectural Design Services Full-service architectural and urban planning services covering all scales of architecture and territorial development, including public facilities, collective and individual housing, and cultural spaces. Target clients include municipalities, departmental councils, public institutions, and private developers.
• Cultural Facilities Design Design and architectural services for cultural buildings including museums, conservatories, libraries, and cultural centers. Built for municipalities and cultural institutions across France.
• Educational Facilities Design Architectural services for school complexes, gymnasiums, and educational institutions including primary schools, colleges, and childcare facilities. Built primarily for French municipalities and public authorities.
• Sports Facilities Design Design services for sports complexes, stadiums, gymnasiums, and athletic infrastructure. Notable projects include Stade Francis le Basser renovation (Laval).
• Housing Projects Design Architectural services for social housing, residential developments, and mixed-use housing projects. Delivered for social landlords and private developers across France.
• Urban Planning Urban development and planning services including mixed-use quarters, public space design, and master planning for territorial development.

Quantifiable outcome

• RE2020 compliance achieved across all recent projects, with several exceeding regulatory requirements to reach E3C1/E3C2 performance levels
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

43 partnerships are on record, tiered core and regular.

• Hesters-Oyon Architectes AssociéscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Long-standing partnership with Hesters-Oyon Architects, the predecessor firm founded by Charles Hesters. Hesters-Oyon continues as associated architect on various competition entries, particularly school projects. This partnership provides additional capacity and shared design methodology for public infrastructure projects.
• ANA IngénieriecoreTechnology or IntegrationPrimary engineering partner (BET TCE) on numerous projects including the Pôle enfance et Sportif Evry, Stade Francis le Basser, and multiple school complexes. Provides comprehensive technical engineering services for HEMAA projects.
• OTE (Bureau d'études techniques)coreTechnology or IntegrationRegular engineering partner on projects including Conservatoire de Poissy, Centre culturel Jacques Brel, and group schools. Provides structural and MEP engineering design.
• 22° (Paysage)coreTechnology or IntegrationLandscaping partner on multiple projects including the Stade Francis le Basser, Siège d'Agglomération Valparisis, and various school complexes. Responsible for landscape design and outdoor space planning.
• OTELIOregularTechnology or IntegrationEngineering partner collaborating with OTE on various projects including Conservatoire de Poissy and Centre culturel Jacques Brel.
• Atelier Florent ClierregularTechnology or IntegrationLandscape architecture partner on projects including Complexe sportif de la Fontaine Saint Martin and Stade Francis le Basser. Provides landscape and public space design services.
• OASIIS HQEregularTechnology or IntegrationHQE (High Environmental Quality) certification consultant for the Siège d'Agglomération Valparisis project, helping achieve BDF (Bâtiment Durable Francilien) Bronze certification.
• AFC (Paysage)regularTechnology or IntegrationLandscape architecture partner for Bibliothèque départementale de la Somme project, responsible for exterior space and public realm design.
• AqoraregularTechnology or IntegrationScenography and exhibition design partner on Centre culturel Jacques Brel and other cultural projects. Responsible for interior spatial design and exhibition layout.
• AFC PaysagistecoreTechnology or IntegrationLandscape architecture partner for Maison des services publics project. Responsible for exterior landscape design and biodiversity garden features.
• ICT inclusion numériqueregularTechnology or IntegrationDigital inclusion specialist partner for Maison des services publics, providing smart building and digital infrastructure integration.
• COTEC betregularTechnology or IntegrationEngineering partner (BET) on Groupe Scolaire Vieux Pays project in Sartrouville, providing technical engineering services.
• Studio PANregularTechnology or IntegrationPhotography partner for Groupe Scolaire Vieux Pays project documentation.
• Ote betcoreTechnology or IntegrationEngineering partner on Groupe scolaire Les Violettes project, providing technical design services.
• Graepheme ScénographieregularTechnology or IntegrationExhibition design and scenography partner for Musée de l'Histoire Viking project, providing interior exhibition layout and visitor experience design.
• BATISERFregularTechnology or IntegrationEngineering partner on Collège 650 project, providing structural and MEP engineering services.
• ACERTAregularTechnology or IntegrationEngineering partner on Collège 650 project.
• ARWYTECregularTechnology or IntegrationEngineering partner on Collège 650 project (cuisine equipment specialist).
• HACTregularTechnology or IntegrationEngineering partner on Collège 650 project.
• LASAcoreTechnology or IntegrationAcoustic engineering partner on Collège 650 and multiple other projects including Groupe scolaire Paul Serelle and Stade Francis le Basser.
• ALP EconomisteregularTechnology or IntegrationQuantity surveyor and economic consultant on Groupe scolaire et gymnase Langevin Wallon project.
• Kerexpert (bet fluides thermiques acoustiques HQE)regularTechnology or IntegrationMEP engineering, thermal, and acoustic engineering partner with HQE certification expertise for 40 Logements et crèche project.
• GEOLIA (ingénieur géotechnicien)regularTechnology or IntegrationGeotechnical engineering partner for 40 Logements et crèche project.
• foncier experts (BET VRD)regularTechnology or IntegrationVRD (Voirie et Réseaux Divers) engineering partner for 40 Logements et crèche project.
• 2R ingénierie (BET structure)regularTechnology or IntegrationStructural engineering partner for 40 Logements et crèche project.
• Communauté d'Agglomération Seine-Eure (CASE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClient and public authority partner for 35 Logements et gendarmerie project. CASE is the public agglomeration community commissioning the mixed-use development including housing and police facilities.
• Communauté d'Agglomération de Val ParisiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClient and public authority for Siège d'Agglomération Valparisis project. The public agglomeration commissioned the new administrative headquarters building.
• BETEM (TCE)regularTechnology or IntegrationFull-service engineering partner (TCE - Tous Corps d'État) on Groupe scolaire Les Coteaux Fleuris project.
• Tempo (OPC)regularTechnology or IntegrationOPC (Ordonnancement, Pilotage, Coordination) partner on Groupe scolaire Les Coteaux Fleuris project for construction management and coordination.
• IMPEDANCE (Acoustique)regularTechnology or IntegrationAcoustic engineering partner on Groupe scolaire Les Coteaux Fleuris project.
• Re-useregularTechnology or IntegrationReuse and circular economy consultant for Pôle culturel, Conservatoire project, helping achieve 23.3 kg/m² SdP re-use target.
• CassoregularTechnology or IntegrationEngineering partner for Pôle culturel, Conservatoire project.
• Galerie BlancheregularTechnology or IntegrationScenography partner for Pôle culturel, Boissy-Saint-Léger project.
• OTE OTELIOcoreTechnology or IntegrationCombined engineering partnership on Centre culturel Jacques Brel project, providing comprehensive technical engineering services.
• ParagescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociated architect on Stade Francis le Basser project (1st place competition winner). Provides additional architectural capacity for this major stadium renovation project.
• bollinger et grohmannregularTechnology or IntegrationStructural engineering partner on Stade Francis le Basser project, specializing in complex structural solutions.
• Albert & CoregularTechnology or IntegrationHQE and environmental engineering partner on Stade Francis le Basser project.
• OsmoseregularTechnology or IntegrationEngineering partner on Stade Francis le Basser project.
• Galerie BlancheregularTechnology or IntegrationArchitecture and design partner for Bibliothèque départementale de la Somme project.
• Air StudioregularTechnology or IntegrationPhotography partner for project documentation on Bibliothèque départementale de la Somme.
• Aqora scénographecoreTechnology or IntegrationScenography and exhibition design partner for Maison des services publics project, designing the multi-purpose interior spaces and flexible layouts.
• ArwytecregularTechnology or IntegrationEngineering partner (cuisine equipment specialist) on Groupe Scolaire Vieux Pays project.
• Wald PaysagistecoreTechnology or IntegrationLandscape architecture partner on the award-winning Pôle enfance et Sportif Evry project.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Snøhetta: International architecture firm with strong sustainable-design credentials and public-sector cultural projects. Provides a comparable reference point on how a sustainability-led practice scales internationally.
• Dominique Perrault Architecture: Internationally recognized Paris-based architecture firm with deep involvement in French cultural and public infrastructure projects—serves as the type of large competitor HEMAA could face as it scales.
• Wilmotte & Associés: Large French architecture practice with broad portfolio across cultural, educational, and residential sectors—a scaled incumbent that HEMAA increasingly competes against for higher-value public commissions.
• Brenac & Gonzalez & Associés: Major Paris-based architecture firm where HEMAA co-founder Charles Hesters previously worked. Competes with HEMAA in large-scale French public and housing concours with a much larger team and longer track record.
• Brunet Saunier: Established Paris architecture firm where HEMAA co-founder Pierre Martin-Saint-Etienne previously trained. A larger incumbent competing in the same French public-sector and cultural infrastructure market.

Direct peers

• DVVD Architectes: French architecture practice delivering housing, mixed-use, and public projects including many of the same program types (schools, social housing, cultural facilities) that HEMAA targets.
• Atelier du Pont: Paris architecture firm with a similar scale and design-led, sustainable approach delivering cultural, educational, and residential projects for French public and private clients.
• Encore Heureux: Paris-based architecture practice with a comparable profile to HEMAA: small team, strong focus on circular/low-carbon construction, biosourced materials, and public-sector cultural and educational commissions in France.
• ChartierDalix: Paris-based architecture firm known for bioclimatic, sustainable public architecture including schools, cultural buildings, and housing—directly competing with HEMAA in French concours for educational and cultural infrastructure.
• Gaëtan Le Penhuel Architecte: Paris architecture practice with comparable size and a focus on heritage-sensitive cultural, educational, and residential projects in France—one of the firms where Charles Hesters previously worked.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInfr.linkedin.com/company/hemaarchitectes
• Instagraminstagram.com/hemaa_architectes

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 HEMAA