Atelier Kempe Thill

What Atelier Kempe Thill does

Atelier Kempe Thill is a privately held architecture and urban design practice founded in 2004 and headquartered in Rotterdam, Netherlands. With a team of 24, the firm delivers architectural design, master planning, and refurbishment services across Europe — with completed and active projects in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic, and selective engagements in Japan, Kazakhstan, and Morocco. Its portfolio spans housing, education, government, culture, hospitality, office, monuments, and urbanism typologies, with signature work in modernist mass housing, winter-garden apartment typologies, heritage refurbishment of landmark buildings, and sustainable-design delivery (BREEAM Outstanding, NaWoh, passive housing, C2C).

The firm's revenue model is professional services — design fees on commissioned projects, typically structured as a percentage of construction cost in line with standard architectural practice. Atelier Kempe Thill acquires virtually all new work through winning open and invited international architectural competitions; competition successes (German Parliament extension with Thörner Kaczmarek; Florenc21 Prague with baukuh and re:architekti; The Lighthouse Nantes; multiple AIT and Technal first prizes) function as both marketing channel and primary sales mechanism. Clients include federal and municipal governments, public housing corporations, universities (KU Leuven, Hasselt University, Karel de Grote Hogeschool, Bard College Berlin), and private developers (Triple Living, Matexi, Penta Real Estate, Magna Real Estate, Financière Pichet, BMW FIZ).

Day-to-day delivery is conducted through project-specific joint ventures with European partner firms (OSAR, Abscis Architecten, Kaderstudio, Blauraum, Heide & von Beckerath, West 8, GRAU, baukuh, re:architekti, Thörner Kaczmarek). The firm has no disclosed software product, no app, and no AI/ML capability; its competitive position rests on design reputation, cross-border regulatory fluency in monument/heritage work, and a recognizable architectural signature built over two decades.

Name

Atelier Kempe Thill

Legal name

Atelier Kempe Thill

Website

https://atelierkempethill.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Atelier Kempe Thill is a Rotterdam-based architecture practice of 24 that delivers modernist building design, urban planning, and heritage refurbishment across Europe for governments, universities, housing corporations, and private developers, acquiring work primarily through international competition wins.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Design Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (54131)

akta.pro primary industry

Urban Planning & Master Planning (BPAHAKAD)

Keywords

• Architectural design services
• Urban planning design
• Sustainable building design
• Heritage building refurbishment
• Master planning services

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Architectural Design Fees: Atelier Kempe Thill generates revenue through professional architectural service fees for commissioned projects, covering design, master planning, refurbishment, and transformation work. Fees are typically structured as a percentage of total construction cost, standard practice for architectural firms.

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Atelier Kempe Thill is an architecture and urban planning firm that provides professional design services across multiple building typologies including housing, government buildings, educational institutions, cultural venues, offices, hospitality, and monument refurbishment. The firm delivers architectural design, master planning, urban development consultation, and adaptive reuse projects for clients across Western Europe, with particular emphasis on modernist principles, winter garden typologies, and sustainable building methods.

Product overview

Atelier Kempe Thill is an architecture and urban planning firm that designs and develops architectural projects across multiple typologies including housing, monuments, refurbishment, office, urbanism, culture, education, government, and hospitality. The firm's portfolio encompasses a wide range of building types from residential complexes and educational institutions to cultural centers, government buildings, and hotel developments. Projects span across Europe (Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic) and include both new construction and renovation of existing structures. The firm does not offer a unified software product but rather provides architectural design services, master planning, and urban development consultation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Architectural Design and Urban Planning Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Energyville is the first educational and research facility in Belgium to obtain the BREEAM certificate 'Outstanding'
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 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

52 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Thörner Kaczmarek ArchitektencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThörner Kaczmarek Architekten from Düsseldorf collaborated with Atelier Kempe Thill on the German Parliament extension project (Luisenblock Ost 1), which involves approximately 66,000m² of new buildings and transformation of listed industrial buildings.
• OSAR ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOSAR Architects from Antwerp collaborated with Atelier Kempe Thill on the T2-campus Education Centre in Genk and the Energyville laboratory building at KU Leuven Waterschei campus.
• architectesassoc⁺coreStrategic or Co-development Partnerarchitectesassoc⁺ from Brussels won the competition together with Atelier Kempe Thill for the Dames Blanches housing estate — a 200+ apartment project for the SLRB/BGHM public housing corporation in Sint-Pieters-Woluwe.
• Achtergael architectencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAchtergael architecten from Ghent collaborated with Atelier Kempe Thill on the Master Plan Rochendaal in Sint-Truiden, winning the two-stage competition for a 350-unit housing development on a former military site.
• Atelier56ScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAtelier56S from Rennes collaborated with Atelier Kempe Thill on the Beaumont Eurorennes mixed-use complex at Rennes Central Station, comprising office buildings and a housing tower.
• GRAUcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGRAU from Paris collaborated with Atelier Kempe Thill on the restructuring and expansion of ESPCI Paris Tech, a Nobel Prize-winning research institution in the Latin Quarter.
• baukuhcoreStrategic or Co-development Partnerbaukuh from Milan collaborated with Atelier Kempe Thill and re:architekti (Prague) on the Florenc21 mixed-use project in Prague's city center, winning the international three-step competition in 2025.
• re:architekticoreStrategic or Co-development Partnerre:architekti from Prague collaborated with Atelier Kempe Thill and baukuh on the Florenc21 mixed-use project in Prague, winning first prize in the 2025 international competition.
• KaderstudiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKaderstudio from Brussels collaborated with Atelier Kempe Thill on the Deleers project in Anderlecht-Brussels, consisting of three mixed-use towers with housing, studios, and a school.
• SMAK architectsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSMAK architects from Antwerp were responsible for the urban masterplan and new school building within the Deleers project in Anderlecht, while Atelier Kempe Thill led the three residential towers.
• Abscis ArchitectencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAbscis Architecten from Ghent collaborated with Atelier Kempe Thill and UAU Collectiv on the Herkenrode Site reconversion in Hasselt — transforming a former army barracks into 124 houses.
• UAU CollectivcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUAU Collectiv from Hasselt collaborated with Atelier Kempe Thill and Abscis Architecten on the Herkenrode Site reconversion, creating a diverse and sustainable housing quarter.
• BlauraumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlauraum from Hamburg collaborated with Atelier Kempe Thill on The Tide HafenCity housing tower project at Baakenhafen in Hamburg's HafenCity area.
• Heide & von BeckerathcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeide & von Beckerath from Berlin collaborated with Atelier Kempe Thill and landscape architects Muf Architecture/Art from London on The Tide HafenCity project.
• Muf Architecture/ArtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMuf Architecture/Art from London served as landscape architects on The Tide HafenCity project in Hamburg, collaborating with Atelier Kempe Thill, Blauraum, and Heide & von Beckerath.
• West 8coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWest 8 from Rotterdam collaborated with Atelier Kempe Thill as urban planning and landscape architects on the BMW FIZ Future master plan in Munich, winning third prize in the two-stage invited competition.
• Thörner KaczmarekcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThörner Kaczmarek from Düsseldorf collaborated with Atelier Kempe Thill on the Codic Design Factory multitenant office building in Düsseldorf.
• Group 3minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGroup 3 from Bruges collaborated with Atelier Kempe Thill on the Expo Center proposal in Bruges, which was designed as a ziggurat with a green roof park.
• LAND LandschapsarchitectenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLAND Landschapsarchitecten from Antwerp served as landscape architects on the Herkenrode Site reconversion project in Hasselt.
• Karel de Grote Hogeschool AntwerpcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAtelier Kempe Thill won the European competition for the transformation and extension of the Sint Lucas School of Arts campus for Karel de Grote Hogeschool in Antwerp, accommodating 600 students and staff.
• Bas SmetsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape architect Bas Smets embedded the Dames Blanches housing estate project in a new ecological-driven landscape, with the project emphasizing biobased materials including wooden terraced houses and rammed earth neighborhood center.
• 3XKOminorStrategic or Co-development Partner3XKO from Cologne co-designed the Nidya Hotels project in Cologne's Mülheim district with Atelier Kempe Thill.
• studio grüngrauminorStrategic or Co-development Partnerstudio grüngrau from Düsseldorf co-designed the Nidya Hotels project with Atelier Kempe Thill.
• Clemens Klotz (Legacy)minorOthersThe Prora youth hostel project took the original design intentions of architect Clemens Klotz as a starting point, improving and enhancing where necessary while restoring original parts like the 'rue intérieure.'
• META architectenbureauminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMETA architectenbureau from Antwerp collaborated with Atelier Kempe Thill on the Louise Marie Towers project in Antwerp.
• Teamvanmeer!minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTeamvanmeer! from Hasselt collaborated with Atelier Kempe Thill on the Faculty of Business Economics building at Hasselt University.
• CanevasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanevas from Liège collaborated with Atelier Kempe Thill on the Florair Housing refurbishment of two apartment blocks in the Jette district of Brussels.
• 3D Real Estate nv/shminorStrategic or Co-development Partner3D Real Estate nv/sh from Zwijnaarde commissioned Atelier Kempe Thill for the Tinelsite master plan and urban housing project in Mechelen.
• Daniel van DoorslaercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture office Daniel van Doorslaer from Lier collaborated with Atelier Kempe Thill on the master plan for The Village elderly housing estate in Heist-op-den-Berg, including four nursing homes.
• livaco NVcoreStrategic or Co-development Partnerlivaco NV commissioned the Herkenrode Site reconversion project in Hasselt, collaborating with Atelier Kempe Thill, Abscis Architecten, and UAU Collectiv.
• G&S&minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerG&S& from Amsterdam commissioned the 120-meter NDSM Kavel B5 housing tower at the former NDSM shipyard in Amsterdam's northern district.
• LabsvonhelmoltminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLabsvonhelmolt from Falkensee collaborated with Atelier Kempe Thill on the Henry Koerner Hall student dormitory for Bard College Berlin in Pankow district.
• Dutch Central Government Real Estate AgencyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch Central Government Real Estate Agency commissioned Atelier Kempe Thill for the Court Information Center addition to the courthouse in Rotterdam.
• Le foyer JettoisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLe foyer Jettois commissioned the refurbishment of two 1950s apartment blocks in the Jette district of Brussels, with Atelier Kempe Thill delivering over 100 renovated units.
• Community of BorselecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity of Borsele commissioned the extension and remodeling of the city hall in Heinkenszand, Netherlands, which won the AIT-AWARD 2016 first prize in the Office category.
• Bouygues ImmobilierminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBouygues Immobilier from Saint Denis was the developer for the Les Linandes housing project in Cergy-Pontoise (Greater Paris), which was subsequently canceled.
• Magna Real EstatecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMagna Real Estate from Hamburg commissioned Atelier Kempe Thill (after winning first prize in the invited competition) for the Naval Office Tower next to the Airbus factory in Finkenwerder, including transformation of a former shipbuilding harbor building.
• Penta Real EstatecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPenta Real Estate commissioned the Florenc21 mixed-use project in Prague's city center, with Atelier Kempe Thill, baukuh, and re:architekti winning the international competition.
• RE-ST architectsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRE-ST architects from Antwerp collaborated with Atelier Kempe Thill on the transformation of two 1970s apartment blocks in the Rozemaai district of Antwerp, creating an 'extreme makeover' of brutalist architecture.
• WoonhavencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWoonhaven from Antwerp commissioned Atelier Kempe Thill for the transformation of 100 social housing apartments in Rozemaai district, winning the European tender.
• Community of BorselecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity of Borsele commissioned the extension and remodeling of the city hall in Heinkenszand, Netherlands.
• G&S&minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerG&S& from Amsterdam commissioned the 120-meter NDSM Kavel B5 housing tower.
• VZW EmmaüscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVZW Emmaüs from Mechelen commissioned the master plan for elderly housing and four nursing homes in Heist-op-den-Berg, Belgium.
• Hasselt UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHasselt University commissioned the new Faculty of Business Economics building with Atelier Kempe Thill winning the invited competition with first prize.
• University Medical Center UMCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity Medical Center UMC in Utrecht commissioned the Surgical Center project with Atelier Kempe Thill and Osar architects as a joint venture, delivering 21 state-of-the-art operation rooms.
• Gewoba Aktiengesellschaft Wohnen und BauencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGewoba AG Wohnen und Bauen from Bremen commissioned the social housing competition 'living exceptionally' at Neue Vahr district, won by Atelier Kempe Thill with first prize.
• Triple LivingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTriple Living commissioned the Nieuw Zuid housing project in Antwerp, which Atelier Kempe Thill delivered as one of the first implementations in this new city quarter.
• Matexi Projects NVcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMatexi Projects NV commissioned the Waterzicht Vilvoorde housing block with 64 apartments, 4 row houses, and commercial spaces in Greater Brussels.
• Brémond / SogepromcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrémond and Sogeprom collaborated with Atelier Kempe Thill to win the competition for The Lighthouse 50-meter housing tower in Nantes, opposite Les Machines de l'Île.
• BrémondcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrémond development company partnered with Atelier Kempe Thill on The Lighthouse housing tower project in Nantes.
• SogepromcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSogeprom partnered with Atelier Kempe Thill on The Lighthouse housing tower project in Nantes.
• Matexi Projects NVcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMatexi Projects NV commissioned the Waterzicht Vilvoorde housing project with Atelier Kempe Thill.

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• OMA: Rotterdam-based international architecture practice with a comparable footprint across European civic, cultural, and housing projects. Both firms operate from the Netherlands, work at similar scale of landmark commissions, and share a modernist design ethos with strong typological experimentation.
• MVRDV: Rotterdam-headquartered architecture firm with a similarly international portfolio spanning housing, mixed-use towers, civic buildings, and cultural projects across Europe. Both firms compete in the same European competition circuit for high-density urban housing and public commissions.
• Mecanoo: Dutch architecture firm with strong social-housing, university, and public-library expertise across Europe and beyond. Directly comparable to Atelier Kempe Thill in social-housing typology innovation and recurring institutional clients such as universities and housing corporations.
• Powerhouse Company: Dutch architecture firm with a parallel European footprint in residential towers, mixed-use developments, and adaptive-reuse projects. Comparable in size, typological ambition, and reliance on competition-driven acquisition.
• KAAN Architecten: Rotterdam-based practice with comparable scale and a portfolio weighted toward cultural, civic, and educational buildings across Europe. Competes in similar invited competitions for museums, courthouses, and university campuses.

Broad incumbents

• 3XN: Danish international architecture firm with a parallel portfolio in civic, educational, and residential buildings across Northern Europe. Comparable institutional-client focus and modernist/sustainable design language, but larger scale and broader geographic spread.
• BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group): Larger international architecture practice with broader geographic reach and a wider portfolio spanning residential, civic, and cultural projects. Overlaps with Atelier Kempe Thill in European social housing and civic commissions but at materially larger scale.
• David Chipperfield Architects: London- and Berlin-based practice renowned for heritage refurbishment, museums, and civic projects across Europe. Highly comparable to Atelier Kempe Thill's monument/refurbishment track record (e.g., Neues Museum Berlin) but operating at substantially greater scale and with a stronger brand premium in heritage commissions.
• Snøhetta: International architecture and design practice with comparable strength in cultural, civic, and educational buildings across Europe. Similar modernist sensibility and competition-winning heritage, but with broader geographic reach and larger headcount.

Regional players

• de Architekten Cie. Amsterdam-based architecture firm with comparable strength in Dutch and European housing, mixed-use, and urban-renewal projects. Operates at similar scale and competes for many of the same Dutch and Benelux social-housing and civic commissions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/atelier-kempe-thill

Compliance2 records

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 Atelier Kempe Thill