GKK Architektur

What GKK Architektur does

GKK Architektur (legal entity: GKK Architektur und Städtebau GmbH, trading as GKK+Architekten) is a Berlin-based architecture firm founded in 1991 by Oliver Kühn and Swantje Kühn after their tenure at Richard Rogers Partnership in London. The firm offers comprehensive architectural design, urban and master planning, interior design, and general planning (Generalplanung) services across commercial, residential, hospitality, infrastructure, and industrial typologies. All design work is executed using Building Information Modeling methodology conforming to DIN EN ISO 19650, with Autodesk Revit as the primary 3D modeling platform enabling interdisciplinary coordination, digital collision checks, and model-based visualization across design disciplines.

The firm operates with 245 employees drawn from 34 countries and maintains offices in Berlin (headquarters at Potsdamer Straße 92), Beijing (China regional headquarters), and London (established 2022). GKK has delivered over 830,000 square meters of floor space with individual project construction values ranging from approximately €7.5 million (FANUC Robotics Germany headquarters) to €250 million (Munich Central Railway Station Stage 2). Marquee clients include BAIC, Great Wall Motor, GAEI, FANUC, IBM Germany, Sueddeutscher Verlag, Deutsche Bahn, STRABAG Real Estate, Accor Hotellerie, and CATARC, with notable concentration in Chinese automotive R&D facility design. The firm holds sustainability credentials including LEED Gold (first German office building, Sueddeutscher Verlag) and DGNB Gold (WESTEND Office Berlin), with demonstrated energy performance of up to 80% reduction in primary energy demand.

Revenue is generated through professional service fees on large-scale construction and development projects, secured primarily via architectural competitions (including multiple 1st-prize wins) and direct commissions from enterprise and government clients. The firm is a private partnership controlled by managing directors Markus Funke, Oliver Kühn, and Swantje Kühn, with no venture capital, private equity, or institutional ownership. Cumulative managed project volume reached approximately €985 million over a 25-year window, with current GTM driven by enterprise field sales and competition-based project acquisition rather than digital marketing.

Name

GKK Architektur

Legal name

GKK Architektur und Städtebau GmbH

Website

https://gkk-architekten.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Short description

GKK Architektur is a Berlin-based architecture firm founded in 1991 offering architectural design, urban planning, interior design, and general planning services to large enterprise and institutional clients across automotive, publishing, infrastructure, and technology sectors in Germany, China, and the UK.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Design Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (54131), Interior Design Services (54141), Architectural Services (541310)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Engagement & Participatory Planning (BPAHAKAO)

Keywords

• Architectural design services
• Urban master planning
• Sustainable building design
• Corporate headquarters architecture
• Building information modeling

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Architecture and Design Services: GKK+Architekten generates revenue through professional architecture and design services, including design and execution planning (Leistungsphasen 2-5), master planning, urban design, interior design, and general planning (Generalplanung). Projects span commercial, residential, hospitality, infrastructure, and industrial building typologies.
2. General Planning (Generalplanung): As a full-service architecture firm offering general planning, GKK manages all disciplines and phases of complex construction projects from concept through execution, coordinating interdisciplinary teams.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

GKK Architektur (GKK+Architekten) is a German architecture firm providing comprehensive architectural and design services from concept through execution. The firm delivers building design, urban and master planning, interior design, and general project planning (Generalplanung) for large-scale corporate, institutional, infrastructure, residential, and mixed-use developments in Germany, China, the UK, and other international markets.

Product overview

GKK Architektur (GKK+Architekten) is an internationally recognized German architecture firm offering comprehensive architectural and design services. The firm operates a unified service model centered on architectural design, complemented by specialized capabilities in urban planning, interior design, and general project planning. Their portfolio spans corporate headquarters, automotive R&D facilities, residential complexes, hotels, railway stations, and urban districts across Germany and internationally. Key notable projects include the award-winning Sueddeutscher Verlag Headquarters (first LEED Gold office building in Germany), IBM Germany Executive Headquarters, BAIC Beijing Automotive R&D Center, and FANUC Robotics facilities. The firm also produces product designs including the WINI Smart Office Desk and PUR Lighting Systems for Artemide. Their planning methodology emphasizes BIM-based design (following DIN EN ISO 19650 standards) and sustainable, energy-conscious architecture achieving LEED, DGNB, and KfW certifications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Architecture and Design Services Comprehensive architectural design services from concept through execution, covering all phases of building projects (Leistungsphasen 2-5) including residential, commercial, industrial, hospitality, and public buildings for large corporate and institutional clients.
• Master Planning and Urban Design Urban development and city planning services including master plans, urban regeneration projects, and city quarter developments for governments, railway operators, and urban developers.
• Interior Design Interior design services including space planning, furniture design, and interior architecture for commercial and residential projects.
• General Planning (Generalplanung) Complete project coordination as general planner, managing all disciplines and phases of construction projects from concept through execution, coordinating interdisciplinary teams.
• Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Architecture Sustainable, energy-conscious architecture incorporating renewable energies, geothermal systems, and ecological building materials, targeting LEED, DGNB, and KfW efficiency standards.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 80% reduction in primary energy demand (Sueddeutscher Verlag headquarters)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Richard Rogers Partnership, LondonfoundationalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1991GKK+Architekten founders Swantje Kühn and Oliver Kühn worked at Richard Rogers Partnership in London before founding their own practice in Berlin in 1991. This formative partnership shaped the firm's international design philosophy and technology-driven approach to architecture. Oliver Kühn served as consultant for Richard Rogers in Berlin (since 1991) and worked at Richard Rogers Partnership in London. Swantje Kühn worked as an architect at Richard Rogers Partnership from 1989-1991.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• HPP Architekten: German architecture firm of comparable scale headquartered in Düsseldorf, delivering large-scale corporate headquarters, R&D centers, and mixed-use projects for enterprise clients. Highly comparable in typology, geography, and client base.
• KSP Engel: German architecture and urban planning firm with international offices delivering corporate headquarters, public buildings, and masterplans. Similar size and direct overlap in automotive and institutional client work.
• gmp Architekten: Hamburg-based international architecture firm (von Gerkan, Marg and Partners) with offices in Germany, China, and globally. Highly comparable for large-scale transport, sports, and corporate projects.
• Ingenhoven Architects: Düsseldorf-based architecture firm with strong sustainability credentials (e.g., 1 Bligh Street Sydney, Kö-Bogen Düsseldorf). Directly comparable on sustainable corporate headquarters design and international delivery.
• HASCHER JEHLLE Architektur: Berlin-based architecture firm of similar size delivering commercial, cultural, and corporate projects. Closely comparable in geography and project typology.
• David Chipperfield Architects: Berlin-founded international architecture firm working across cultural, commercial, and residential typologies with offices in Berlin, London, Milan, and Shanghai. Comparable international footprint and prestige-driven client base.
• HPP International (HPP.YZR): Note: HPP Architekten operates an international brand; included for direct comparability on automotive and corporate HQ projects globally.

Broad incumbents

• Foster + Partners: London-headquartered global architecture firm where GKK's founders previously worked. Significant overlap on large-scale corporate HQs, transport, and masterplans; much larger in scale and project portfolio.
• Gensler: Largest global architecture and design firm, dominant in corporate workplace and headquarters design. Competes for the same enterprise client mandates as GKK but at materially larger scale.

Emerging players

• BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group): Copenhagen/New York-based architecture firm with strong international footprint and corporate client wins. Comparable on contemporary, brand-driven design for enterprise clients and infrastructure typologies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 GKK Architektur