DCA

What DCA does

DCA (Design Crew for Architecture) is a Paris-based architecture firm founded in 2007 by partners Huang Jiaoyang and Chausson, operating from a single headquarters at 25 Rue Popincourt in the 11th arrondissement. The firm specializes in architectural design services for rehabilitation, energy renovation, and sustainable new construction, with a portfolio spanning over 40 projects across educational facilities, offices, community centers, sports facilities, residential developments, and public infrastructure. DCA's technical expertise is grounded in sustainable building practices meeting French thermal regulations (RT2012, RE2020, Décret tertiaire) and international certifications (BREEAM Very Good, LEED Gold, BBC Effinergie), with distinctive capabilities in CLT wood construction, double-skin metallic facades, and perforated metal brise-soleil systems with integrated photovoltaics.

The firm generates revenue through project-based architectural design fees, acquired primarily via French public tenders and architectural competitions, with project budgets ranging from 1.15M€ for small-scale renovations to 95M€ for large mixed-use developments. Customer mix is anchored by French municipal governments (Ville de Paris, Ville de Sarcelles, Ville de Montmorency, Ville d'Asnières-sur-Seine, Ville d'Osny, Région Grand Est) representing the primary segment, supplemented by private real estate developers (Nexity, Kaufman & Broad, Keys REIM), corporate clients (Canon France), and educational institutions (UPEC). International commissions have historically included projects in China (Jiading Highschool in Shanghai, Yizhuang SOHO in Beijing, Villa Yangtai Shan) executed through local architect collaborations.

DCA operates with a lean 24-employee structure consistent with a boutique studio model, avoiding external investment or parent-company ownership. The firm maintains a trilingual web presence (French, English, Chinese) and achieves visibility through architectural competition wins, professional publications (Archistorm, Exe, A+), and exhibitions (Eco-Visionaries at Maat Museum Lisbon). Recent project completions include the Urban office building rehabilitation in Montreuil (2023, BREEAM Very Good), TC du Ménil clubhouse in Asnières-sur-Seine (2025), and Fabrique A inauguration in Argenteuil (December 2025).

Name

DCA

Legal name

DCA (Design Crew for Architecture)

Website

https://dca.archi

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

DCA (Design Crew for Architecture) is a Paris-based architecture firm founded in 2007 specializing in rehabilitation, energy renovation, and sustainable construction for French municipalities and private developers, with 24 employees and 40+ completed projects.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (54131)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Civil & Structural Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAA)

Keywords

• Architectural design services
• Building rehabilitation
• Energy renovation
• Urban architecture
• Sustainable construction

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. Architectural Design Services: DCA generates revenue through architectural design fees for new construction, rehabilitation, and extension projects. Revenue is project-based, derived from public and private commissions acquired through architectural competitions and direct commissions. Project budgets range from small-scale renovations (1.15M€) to large mixed-use developments (95M€).

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

DCA (Design Crew for Architecture) provides architectural design services for new construction, rehabilitation, renovation, and extension projects across public and private sector clients in France and internationally. The firm delivers projects including schools, offices, community centers, residential developments, and sports facilities, with a strong emphasis on energy renovation and contemporary sustainable architecture that complies with French thermal regulations (RT2012, RE2020, Décret tertiaire).

Product overview

DCA (Design Crew for Architecture) is a Paris-based architectural firm offering architectural design services. The firm's portfolio encompasses various project types including educational facilities (schools, colleges, nurseries), office buildings, community centers, sports facilities, residential developments, and public infrastructure. Projects range from rehabilitation and energy renovation to new construction, with a focus on sustainable and contemporary architecture. The firm operates across France and internationally, including projects in China.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Architectural Design Services Comprehensive architectural design services including new construction, rehabilitation, renovation, and extension projects for public and private sector clients. The firm serves French municipalities, real estate developers, corporate clients, and educational institutions with portfolios spanning schools, offices, community centers, residential developments, and sports facilities.
• Energy Renovation Services Specialized building energy renovation and requalification services focused on achieving compliance with French thermal regulations (Décret tertiaire, RE2020, RT2012), BREEAM, LEED, and BBC Effinergie certifications, with documented outcomes including 60% energy consumption reduction targets.
• New Construction Design Services Architectural design for new building projects including residential developments (65 residences and nursery in Montreuil), high schools (Jiading Highschool in Shanghai), and corporate headquarters (Canon France HQ in Paris), delivered for private developers and public clients.

Quantifiable outcome

• Achieves BREEAM Very Good certification for office buildings
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers13 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

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered major and minor.

• Jacques FerriermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDCA collaborated with Jacques Ferrier as lead architect on several significant projects including the BBC office building in Grenoble (2006-2009) and the Jiading Highschool in Shanghai (2008-2009). Ferrier's established reputation helped secure international commissions while DCA contributed design execution.
• François LeclercqmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDCA worked with François Leclercq as lead architect on the Canon France headquarters project at Porte Pouchet, Paris (2013). Leclercq's role as lead architect combined with DCA's design contribution for facade and spatial design.
• YUAN JinpengminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal architect collaboration for private house rehabilitation and extension project in Yang Tai Shan, Beijing (2013-2014). Provided local expertise, regulatory knowledge, and on-site project management.
• LI DaminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal architect collaboration for Papabubble Concept Store in Beijing (2013). LI Da provided local architectural expertise and regulatory navigation for retail fit-out project.
• YUANGOUminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal architect collaboration for Yizhuang SOHO mixed property development in Beijing (2011). YUANGOU served as local design unit providing expertise on Chinese building regulations and construction practices.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Architecture-Studio: Paris-based architecture firm of comparable scale with an international portfolio spanning public, cultural, educational and residential projects. Comparable to DCA in its competition-led French public-sector focus and its ambition to deliver cross-cultural work abroad.
• Dominique Perrault Architecture: Paris-based practice known for rehabilitation, infrastructure and contemporary architecture across France and internationally. Highly comparable to DCA in its emphasis on rehabilitation, contextual design and use of metallic / innovative facades.
• BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group): Competition-led international architecture firm with strong sustainability narrative and high-profile cross-sector portfolio. Comparable to DCA in that its growth has been driven by signature competition wins and ESG-aligned design — though at a much larger scale.
• MVRDV: Rotterdam-based architecture firm known for sustainability, mixed-use and contextual contemporary design across Europe and Asia. Comparable to DCA in its competition-led project acquisition and emphasis on energy performance.
• Ateliers Jean Nouvel: Prestigious French architecture firm competing in the same architectural-competition landscape for public and cultural commissions. Comparable as a French firm whose brand is built on signature competition wins and contextual design, albeit at a larger scale than DCA.
• Jakob + MacFarlane: Paris-based firm with a comparable emphasis on rehabilitation, adaptive reuse and innovative envelope/facade design. Closely comparable to DCA in its use of contemporary materials and contextual rehabilitation of existing buildings.
• LAN Architecture: Paris-based architecture firm of similar size specializing in sustainable, energy-efficient public and educational buildings. Closely comparable to DCA in its French municipal client base and strong sustainability/rehabilitation focus.
• Wilmotte & Associés: Paris-headquartered architecture firm with comparable international footprint, mixed-use and cultural expertise, and a similar competition-driven French public/private model. Directly comparable in size and project types.

Broad incumbents

• Snøhetta: Larger international architecture practice with strong sustainability credentials and a competition-led public/cultural portfolio. Comparable as a broader incumbent that competes with DCA for high-profile French and European public commissions.
• Renzo Piano Building Workshop: Internationally established architecture firm with deep expertise in sustainable building envelopes and large-scale rehabilitation. A broader incumbent comparable to DCA's facades-and-sustainability specialty but operating at far greater scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dca-design-crew-for-architecture

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 DCA