What Urban Platform does

Urban Platform is a Brussels-headquartered architecture and urbanism practice founded in 2000 by Cédric Franck, Alicia Reiber, and Olivier Périer. The firm operates through two service platforms: Platform 1 (Concept & Architectural Design) delivers sustainable building projects across housing, education, mixed-use, and adaptive-reuse typologies, while Platform 2 (Territorial & Urban Planning) produces master plans, feasibility studies, and strategic urban programs. Its design methodology centers on circular construction principles, the New European Bauhaus framework, and adaptive reuse of existing structures, exemplified by projects such as the Plaza (50 residences from former offices with 200 solar panels), the Trèfles social neighborhood (181 units), and the Lutgardis mixed-use school and housing campus (61 dwellings plus educational facilities). The practice serves a balanced mix of public-sector clients — Belgian municipalities, public housing corporations (SLRB-BGHM, Foyer Schaerbeekois), and school boards — and private-sector developers and institutions (Baltisse, Kairos, BESIX, BesixRED, Archdiocese of Mechellen-Brussels), with operating geographies spanning Brussels-Capital, Flanders, Wallonia, and Catalonia. Revenue is generated through professional-services fees negotiated project-by-project, with new work acquired primarily via architectural competitions, public procurement, and direct commissions, supplemented by reputation-driven referrals from a portfolio of 50+ completed projects and recurring collaborations with firms such as Studio Basta and R2D2.

Name

Urban Platform

Legal name

Urban Platform

Website

https://urbanplatform.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Urban Platform is a Brussels-based architecture and urbanism practice founded in 2000, delivering sustainable architectural design and territorial planning for Belgian municipalities, public housing corporations, real estate developers, and institutions across Belgium and Catalonia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (541310), Architectural Services (54131)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Urban Planning & Master Planning (BPAHAKAD)

Keywords

• Architectural design services
• Urban planning
• Urban research
• Building design
• Sustainable architecture

Headquarters

HQ city

Brussels

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations

Revenue model

1. Architectural Design Services: Fees generated from architectural design services including concept design, schematic design, design development, construction documents, and construction administration for housing, mixed-use, education, and urbanism projects.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Urban Platform is a Brussels-based architectural practice providing architectural design, urban planning, and urban research services to public sector clients and private developers. The firm delivers building-scale design, master planning, and urban-scale analytical work through a studio of around 20 architects.

Product overview

Urban Platform is an architecture and urbanism practice offering two core service platforms: Platform 1 (Concept & Architectural Design) focuses on sustainable architecture projects with creative vision, while Platform 2 (Territorial & Urban Planning) handles master plans and strategic programmes. The firm's portfolio spans housing developments (Plaza, Blanche, Trèfles, Harenberg), education facilities (Lutgardis, Pegasus, Semence), and mixed-use projects. All projects emphasize sustainability, urban integration, and innovative design approaches aligned with climate transition goals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Architectural Design Services Building-scale architectural design commissions covering concept, schematic, and detailed design for public sector clients and private developers in Belgium and Europe.
• Urban Planning Services Master planning, framework plans, and urban-scale planning advisory for municipalities, public agencies, and private developers.
• Urban Research Analytical and research engagements examining urban conditions, supporting design and planning commissions with evidence-based input.

Quantifiable outcome

• Best Residential Development award at RES Awards 2024
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Aurora Consortium (EPICo, RebelValley, Groep Van Roey, Democo)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUrban Platform participated in the Aurora consortium alongside EPICo, RebelValley, Groep Van Roey, and Democo for the Van Broeckhoven School project. Within this consortium structure, Urban Platform developed the secondary school project in collaboration with Bogdan & Van Broeck and OYO Architects, responding to an ambitious programme for designing an open school in a dense multicultural neighborhood of Brussels.
• Studio BastamajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStudio Basta is a recurring landscape architecture collaborator on Urban Platform projects including Lutgardis Housing, Homborchveld, Vervloet, Lutgardis School, Lochten, Trèfles, and Rabelais. Their ongoing collaboration spans multiple project typologies from housing to education and urbanism, indicating a established working relationship.
• R2D2majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerR2D2 has been associated with Urban Platform on multiple projects including the Trèfles sustainable public neighbourhood and the Rabelais school renovation project. R2D2 participated as an associated architect on projects requiring collaborative multi-firm design teams.
• ArtgineeringminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArtgineering partnered with Urban Platform on the Saint Antoine & Orban public space redevelopment project, which won first prize at the Règles d'Or de l'Urbanisme in the public space category. This was a joint effort combining Urban Platform's architecture with Artgineering's urban design expertise.
• ORG & A2MmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerUrban Platform worked in collaboration with ORG and A2M on the Marchandises project, which won the Best Residential Development award at the RES Awards 2024. This partnership combined multiple architectural firms on a large-scale mixed-use development bridging contrasting urban environments.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Stéphane Beel Architects: Belgian architecture firm with a portfolio of cultural, housing and public projects across Belgium. Comparable to Urban Platform in scale, Belgian geography, and engagement with public and institutional clients.
• 51N4E: Brussels-based architecture and urban planning practice of comparable scale with a strong focus on public-sector and adaptive-reuse projects, including housing and master plans across Belgium. Highly comparable in size, geography, and typology mix to Urban Platform.
• ORG Permanent modernity: Brussels-based architecture and research practice collaborating with Urban Platform on the RES Award-winning Marchandises project. Comparable Belgian base, public-and-private housing focus, and design-led sustainability positioning.
• Bogdan & Van Broeck: Brussels-based architecture firm focused on housing, schools and urban projects with a sustainability orientation. Recurring collaboration partner with Urban Platform on the Van Broeckhoven School project, indicating directly overlapping client base and design philosophy.
• OFFICE Kersten Geers David Van Severen: Belgian contemporary architecture firm with international recognition and a portfolio spanning public buildings, housing and cultural projects. Comparable in Belgian base, design-led positioning, and public-sector commissions.
• XDGA (Xaveer De Geyter Architects): Brussels-based practice working across architecture and urban planning with a focus on large public commissions and contextual urbanism. Comparable to Urban Platform in geography, scale, and emphasis on public-sector urban regeneration projects.
• architecten de vylder vinck taillieu: Belgian architecture practice with a strong reputation for adaptive reuse, social housing, and unconventional approaches to existing buildings. Comparable in typology mix (housing, adaptive reuse, social infrastructure) and Belgium-centric geographic footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Studio Gang: Internationally recognized architecture practice with deep sustainability and urbanism focus including high-rise housing and civic projects. Comparable sustainability methodology and award profile to Urban Platform, but operates at significantly larger scale and global footprint.
• MVRDV: Dutch architecture firm with extensive work in sustainability, mixed-use urbanism, and adaptive reuse across Europe. Comparable circular-construction and urban regeneration approach, but at a much larger scale and broader geographic reach than Urban Platform.

Regional players

• BOB361 Architects: Belgian architecture practice with strong work in housing and social infrastructure, comparable typology to Urban Platform's residential and mixed-use portfolio. Operates primarily in Belgium with similar public and private sector client mix.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/p/DHdqLsXt9x9/?next=%2F&img_index=1

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Urban Platform