DES TGA Design

What DES TGA Design does

DES GmbH, doing business as DES TGA Design, is a German engineering and planning firm (Ingenieurbüro) specializing in technical building equipment (Technische Gebäudeausrüstung, TGA), founded in 1991 in Rostock and headquartered in Schwaan, with offices in Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, and Zollikon (Zürich) via its Swiss subsidiary DES International AG. The company delivers TGA planning services across all relevant HOAI performance phases (1–9), covering electrical supply, water supply, heating, climate/ventilation, and building automation, with an explicit emphasis on energy efficiency, CO2-neutrality, and integration of green bridge technologies such as geothermal energy, fuel cells, and green hydrogen.

The firm's underlying technology stack centers on Building Information Modeling using Autodesk Revit MEP, with collaborative 3D planning (including 4D scheduling and 5D cost control), clash detection across trades, and digital twin creation via laser scanning, 360-degree photography, and drone photogrammetry. These capabilities support both design-phase decisions—claimed to determine 80–90% of facility lifecycle costs—and downstream digital twin operations for interactive visualization, simulation, and lifecycle management. The product portfolio bundles core TGA planning with BIM planning, digital twin service, building automation, energy technology, supply engineering, fuel cells, deep geothermal, green hydrogen, and building simulation modules.

Revenue is generated on a project-based professional-services model, with HOAI-based fees for new construction (Neubau) and renovation (Sanierungsprojekte) engagements targeting property developers, building owners, and architecture firms, with secondary work for public and institutional buildings. Customer evidence includes named co-planning relationships with BIWERMAU Architekten (Lighthouse Hamburg), B99 Architekten BDA (€15.4M Mundsburger Damm development, €4.62M TGA scope), MVRDV/KoolKiel (FLOW campus, 25,000+ sqm, BEG-55), Meyer Steffens Architekten (Grönau Forum), and HC Hagemann. Distribution is primarily direct and consultative, supported by content marketing (website, blog), social/employer branding (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Kununu), a proprietary podcast, and event participation. The company is privately held with no public listing, no disclosed external funding, and approximately 35 employees.

Name

DES TGA Design

Legal name

DES GmbH

Website

https://des.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

DES TGA Design is a German engineering and planning firm, founded in 1991, that delivers technical building equipment (TGA) planning services across all HOAI phases for property developers, architects, and institutional clients. It uses BIM (Revit MEP), digital twins, and green technologies including geothermal, fuel cells, and green hydrogen.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Building Engineering Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (54131)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Building Information Modeling (BIM) & Digital Design Services (BPAHAKAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Building Thermal Controls & Building Management Systems (HVAC BMS) (IMAHAKAK), Engineering design services (line design, substation design, civil/structural) (EUADAKAG)

Keywords

• Technical building equipment
• BIM planning services
• Building automation design
• Green hydrogen systems
• Geothermal energy planning

Headquarters

HQ city

Schwaan

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. TGA Engineering and Planning Services: Professional engineering services for technical building equipment (TGA) covering all relevant performance phases of the HOAI (Honorarordnung für Architekten und Ingenieure). Services include analysis and consulting, planning and conception, technical implementation, and optimization and monitoring. Revenue is generated through project-based fees, typically for Neubau (new construction) and Sanierungsprojekte (renovation projects).

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

DES TGA Design is an engineering planning office that delivers technical building equipment (TGA) services — electrical, water, heating, ventilation, and building automation — for new construction and renovation projects. Its offerings span the full HOAI performance phases, anchored on BIM methodology using Revit MEP, digital twin technology, and integration of sustainable energy systems including fuel cells, geothermal, and green hydrogen.

Product overview

DES TGA Design operates as a planning office (Ingenieurbüro) for technical building equipment (TGA), offering an integrated portfolio of planning services and sustainable technology solutions. The core offerings center on TGA-Planung (technical building equipment planning) as the primary service, complemented by BIM-Planung (Building Information Modeling using Revit MEP) and Digitaler Zwilling (Digital Twin) technology for advanced building visualization and lifecycle management. Supporting modules include Gebäudeautomation (building automation), Energietechnik (energy technology), Versorgungstechnik (supply engineering), Brennstoffzellen (fuel cells), Tiefengeothermie (deep geothermal), Grüner Wasserstoff (green hydrogen), and Gebäudesimulation (building simulation). The company serves the HOAI (Honorary Order for Architects and Engineers) Leistungsphasen 1-9 and focuses on sustainable, CO2-neutral building solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Design phase decisions determine 80-90% of costs during facility lifecycle
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hochschulen und Forschungseinrichtungen (Universities and Research Institutions)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDES TGA Design maintains close cooperation with universities and research institutions to integrate the latest findings and technologies into their projects. This collaboration supports innovation in green building technologies and advanced TGA planning methodologies.
• DES International AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDES International AG is based in Zollikon, Switzerland (Seestrasse 37, 8702) and represents DES's international presence and operations in Switzerland.
• DES NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDES Network represents the company's ecosystem of competencies in software, education & consulting, and energy generation. It represents technology leadership, diversity, and partnership, aiming for a new concept of growth that considers Earth's limited resources.
• DGNB (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDES GmbH is a member of DGNB and aims for DGNB Platinum certification for its headquarters. The collaboration focuses on circular economy criteria in planning approaches and achieving best possible ecological performance for all projects.
• Software Partners (BIM/Revit MEP)coreTechnology or IntegrationDES utilizes BIM methodology with Revit MEP software for 3D planning and digital twin creation. The company employs both Open BIM (using IFC format) and Closed BIM approaches for collaborative project work.
• BA Glauchau (Berufsakademie Glauchau)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDual study partnership with BA Glauchau for the Supply and Environmental Technology program. Students receive theoretical education at BA Glauchau while gaining practical experience at DES offices. The program leads to Diplom-Ingenieur degree after 3 years.
• EDGE WorkspacesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDES Hamburg office is located at EDGE HafenCity, a next-generation workspace concept emphasizing sustainability and innovation. EDGE Workspaces provides flexible office spaces, coworking areas, and shared facilities designed for sustainability-focused professionals.
• HC HagemannminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject partner for Lighthouse Living concept house in Hamburg Hafencity. DES provided TGA planning for this iconic approximately 300 sqm residential project with 360-degree views.
• BIWERMAU Architekten BDAminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArchitecture firm partner for Lighthouse Living project. BIWERMAU Architekten BDA designed the iconic circular building while DES provided TGA engineering services.
• B99 Architekten BDA / Laura Jahnke Partnerschaftgesellschaft mBbminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArchitecture partner for Mundsburger Damm mixed-use development (€15.4M total, €4.62M TGA). The project includes microliving, student housing, retail, and gastronomy spaces.
• Meyer Steffens ArchitektenminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArchitecture partner for Grönau Forum community building project (€414,000 construction costs, 958 sqm usable area) in Groß Grönau.
• Satellite OfficeminorOthersSatellite Office provides the Munich office location near Hauptbahnhof, offering flexible workspace solutions, virtual offices, meeting rooms, and open workspaces for DES Munich team.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• HPP Architekten: HPP Architekten is a German architecture firm that integrates BIM-based building services planning into its design practice. Comparable to DES's customer segment and BIM-first methodology; represents both a channel partner archetype and an in-house-services threat to pure-play TGA planners.
• Werner Sobek: Werner Sobek is a German engineering and design firm focused on sustainable, high-performance buildings with integrated planning across structure, facade, and building services. Comparable to DES on the sustainability-led, integrated-design value proposition and willingness to pilot emerging green technologies.

Broad incumbents

• Sweco: Sweco is a Nordic-headquartered engineering consultancy with substantial German operations offering building services engineering, sustainability advisory, and BIM-led planning. Overlaps with DES on digital TGA planning and sustainability focus but operates at pan-European scale with thousands of engineers.
• Arup: Arup is a global engineering consultancy with strong building services, sustainability, and digital twin capabilities. Comparable to DES on the integrated-design-plus-sustainability value proposition but operates at global scale and competes for the largest landmark projects DES aspires to.
• Ramboll: Ramboll is a global engineering and sustainability consultancy with significant DACH-region building services practices. Overlaps with DES on sustainable building design and BIM methodology; competes on large sustainability-led projects while operating at substantially larger scale.
• Drees & Sommer: Drees & Sommer is a large German real estate and engineering consultancy offering TGA planning, BIM consulting, and sustainability advisory at a much larger scale than DES. Overlaps on BIM-led TGA planning and sustainability focus but serves enterprise clients across the full real estate lifecycle, representing the larger incumbent DES competes against on major projects.
• IPROconsult: IPROconsult is a German engineering consultancy offering integrated planning services including TGA, structural engineering, and infrastructure. Overlaps with DES on technical building equipment planning but operates at larger scale with a broader service portfolio across multiple construction disciplines.

Direct peers

• Bollinger + Grohmann: Bollinger + Grohmann is a German engineering firm specializing in integrated building services and structural engineering with strong sustainability credentials and BIM workflows. Comparable to DES on digital-first, sustainability-driven design services and partnership with leading European architecture firms.
• Ingenieurgemeinschaft für Haustechnik (IHT): IHT is a mid-sized German engineering office providing TGA planning for residential, commercial, and public buildings using BIM methodology. Direct peer of DES in core TGA engineering services, HOAI performance phases, and German mid-market customer segments.
• ZWP Ingenieur-AG: ZWP Ingenieur-AG is a German engineering office specializing in technical building equipment (TGA) planning across all HOAI performance phases. Directly comparable to DES TGA Design in core service offering, BIM methodology, and German mid-market positioning; competes head-to-head for the same architectural firm and developer clients.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/des.gmbh
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/des-gmbh
• Instagraminstagram.com/des.tga

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

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 DES TGA Design