ISSS research | architecture | urbanism

What ISSS research | architecture | urbanism does

ISSS research | architecture | urbanism (legally Sabatier Schwarz Architekten PartGmbB) is a Berlin-based architecture and urban planning studio founded in 2010 by partners Ingrid Sabatier and Stephan Schwarz. The firm delivers integrated urban-design and architectural services, working across scales from framework plans covering up to 277 hectares (Seevorstadt Cottbus) down to individual buildings such as the ten structures under construction for IBA27 Stuttgart. Its practice centers on a collaborative, process-oriented design methodology that interlinks urban planning and architecture, with particular emphasis on climate-resilient strategies (Schwammstadt principles), cooperative housing, hybrid typologies, and the regeneration of former military and industrial sites.

The firm acquires the majority of its work through international, national, and cooperative architectural competitions, having secured at least eight first-prize wins including IBA27 Quartier am Rotweg Stuttgart (2021), ULAP Quartier Berlin (2022), Mainz BioTech Campus (2024), and Leuchtwerkareal Augsburg (2024). Revenue streams derive from competition prize money, commissioned professional services (urban design, architectural design, feasibility studies, framework planning), and academic teaching engagements at nine European universities. All major clients are based in Germany and are split between public-sector municipal and state authorities (Stadt Berlin, Senatsverwaltung Berlin, Stadt Cottbus, Landeshauptstadt Mainz, GEBAG Duisburg, IBA27 Stuttgart) and housing cooperatives (Neues Heim, Baugenossenschaft Zuffenhausen, Baugenossenschaft Dormagen, Ecovillage Hannover), with a smaller private-developer channel via Gateway Real Estate AG.

The core team numbers seven people, supported by a deep interdisciplinary partner ecosystem that includes landscape architects (bauchplan, bgmr, topo*grafik, greenbox, Grieger Harzer), architecture collectives (Octagon, Studio RW, ALAS Architects, Studio VlayStreuwitz, EMT Architekten), and engineering consultancies (Transsolar, Schüssler-Plan, IB Hausladen, Spektrum, merz kley partner, IB Trieb, Fire&Timber). ISSS holds no patents, has no disclosed software products or AI/ML capabilities, and operates without external investment or institutional ownership.

Name

ISSS research | architecture | urbanism

Legal name

Sabatier Schwarz Architekten PartGmbB

Website

https://isssresearch.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ISSS research | architecture | urbanism is a Berlin-based architecture and urban planning studio founded in 2010 that delivers integrated urban design, cooperative housing, and public building commissions for German municipalities, state governments, and housing cooperatives, primarily acquired through architectural competitions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Urban Planning & Architecture Services

NAICS

Landscape Architectural Services (541320)

akta.pro primary industry

Landscape Architecture & Site Design (BPAHAKAC)

Keywords

• Urban planning services
• Architectural design services
• Cooperative housing design
• Urban design competitions
• Climate-resilient urbanism

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Competition Prize Winnings: Revenue generated from winning architectural and urban design competitions. ISSS has won multiple first prizes in international competitions including IBA27 Quartier am Rotweg, ULAP Quartier Berlin, Leuchtwerkareal Augsburg, Mainz BioTech Campus, and others.
2. Commissioned Architecture and Urban Planning Projects: Fees from commissioned projects following competition wins or direct engagement. Includes urban design, architectural design, feasibility studies, and framework planning services for public and cooperative clients.
3. Teaching and Academic Engagement: Revenue or in-kind value from teaching assignments at European universities including ENSA Marseille, ENSA Paris Malaquais, TU Graz, LAU Beirut, BTK Berlin, ULB Brussels, BTU Cottbus, Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, and TU Berlin.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ISSS is an architecture and urban planning studio that delivers urban design, architectural design, feasibility studies, and framework planning services for public sector and housing cooperative clients, primarily acquired through winning German and international architectural competitions. The studio follows a collaborative design approach connecting urban planning and architecture, executed in Leistungsphasen 1-5 (competition through construction supervision), with a focus on cooperative housing, climate-resilient design (Schwammstadt principles), hybrid typologies, and urban regeneration of former military and industrial sites.

Product overview

ISSS research | architecture | urbanism is an architecture and urbanism studio based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2010 by Ingrid Sabatier and Stephan Schwarz. The firm offers urban design and architecture services, working on urban development projects including housing developments, urban quarters, and public spaces. As a professional services firm rather than a software product company, ISSS does not offer a platform, software products, or modules. Their services are delivered through collaborative design approaches across multiple project typologies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ULAP Quartier Berlin (1. Preis) Urban design competition project for the ULAP Quartier Berlin site, developed under a wettbewerblicher Dialog (competitive dialogue) procedure for the Berlin Senate Administration.
• IBA27 Quartier am Rotweg Stuttgart (1. Preis) International urban design competition for IBA27 Stuttgart's flagship Quartier am Rotweg, a crisis-resilient cooperative housing quarter with 10 buildings under construction for completion in 2027. Clients include Neues Heim – Die Baugenossenschaft eG and Baugenossenschaft Zuffenhausen eG.
• Mainz BioTech Campus (1. Preis) Urban design competition project for the 50 ha Mainz BioTech Campus, commissioned by the State Capital Mainz, integrating research facilities, campus planning, and educational buildings.
• Leuchtwerkareal Augsburg (1. Preis) Urban design competition project for the Leuchtwerkareal Augsburg real estate development, focusing on connecting urban quarters with landscape space. Client: Gateway Real Estate AG.
• Konversion Regensburg (Prinz-Leopold- und Pionier-Kaserne) (1. Preis) Urban design competition project for the conversion of former military barracks in Regensburg into a green, connected neighborhood.
• Packhofgelände Brandenburg an der Havel (1. Preis) Urban design competition project for the Packhofgelände in Brandenburg an der Havel, integrating a blue-green heart into the urban fabric.
• Zwickau Productive Update (1. Preis) Europan 14 winning project for the Zwickau Productive Update, addressing productive city concepts and urban regeneration.
• Block 616 Berlin Mehringplatz (1. Rang Werkstattverfahren) Workshop procedure project for Block 616 at Berlin Mehringplatz, commissioned by HOWOGE Wohnungsbaugesellschaft.
• Seevorstadt Cottbus Rahmenplanung Framework planning (Rahmenplanung) project for the 277 ha Seevorstadt Cottbus area, including the Cottbuser Ostsee (Cottbus Lake) development zone. Client: Stadt Cottbus.
• Wohnen am Supermarkt Berlin (Feasibility Study) Feasibility study for residential development above a supermarket in Berlin, focused on affordable housing creation and innovative housing typologies.
• Ecovillage Hannover (Cooperative Urban Design Competition) Cooperative urban design competition project for the Ecovillage Hannover eG, a 5 ha cooperative housing and community-oriented development.
• IBA27 Stuttgart Buildings (Haus Jordan, Haus Jojo, Haus Zidane, Mobility Hub PIA) Architectural design services across Leistungsphasen 1-5 for multiple buildings in the IBA27 Quartier am Rotweg Stuttgart project, including cooperative housing buildings and a mobility hub, with planned completion in 2027.
• Schumacher Quartier Berlin (2. Preis) Urban design competition project for the 50 ha Schumacher Quartier Berlin, including the Linking Lines concept connecting urban quarters with landscape space.
• Quartier Dormagen-Horrem (2. Preis) Urban design competition project for the 30 ha Quartier Dormagen-Horrem, focused on cooperative housing development for Baugenossenschaft Dormagen eG.
• Stadtbaupuzzle Berlin (2. Preis) Urban design competition project for the Stadtbaupuzzle Berlin urban puzzle, addressing future urban loops and city planning.
• Campus Weißensee - Wissenschafts- und Kreativstandort Urban design project for the expansion of the science and creative campus at Kunsthochschule Weißensee Berlin.
• Campus Rathaus Zehlendorf Campus planning project for the Rathaus Zehlendorf campus in Berlin, integrating educational and public functions.
• Dempsey-Kaserne Paderborn (3. Preis) Urban design competition project for the conversion of the former Dempsey barracks in Paderborn, addressing urban regeneration of former military sites.
• Stadtquartier Haunstetten Augsburg (3. Preis) Urban design competition project for the Stadtquartier Haunstetten Augsburg, addressing future urban boulevard concepts.
• Quartier am Haus der Statistik Berlin (3. Preis) Urban design competition project for the Quartier am Haus der Statistik Berlin, focused on productive city and urban regeneration.
• Energiehafen Cottbus (2. Preis) Urban design competition project for the Energiehafen Cottbus, focused on shaping the energy transition and waterfront development.
• Stadtquartier Eselswiese Rüsselsheim (2. Preis) Urban design competition project for the 30 ha Stadtquartier Eselswiese Rüsselsheim, addressing riverside urban quarter development.
• Stadtquartier am Alten Güterbahnhof Duisburg Urban design competition project for the Stadtquartier am Alten Güterbahnhof Duisburg, addressing urban regeneration of a former freight yard. Client: GEBAG Duisburg.
• Multikodierte Oststadt Pforzheim Urban design project for the Multikodierte Oststadt Pforzheim, focused on departure and vision for a multi-coded eastern district.
• Academic Teaching Engagements at European Universities Academic teaching engagements in architecture and urban planning design studios at European universities for architecture students and faculty.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30+ urban planning and architecture projects completed across Germany
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Stadt Land FlusscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner for Schumacher Quartier Berlin competition. Stadt Land Fluss is a Berlin-based urban planning and landscape architecture firm.
• bgmr LandschaftsarchitektencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term collaboration partner for urban design competitions including Schumacher Quartier Berlin, Leuchtwerkareal Augsburg (1st prize 2024), and other projects.
• Plan ComúncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParis-based architecture and urban design office collaborated on Ecovillage Hannover project - cooperative urban design competition.
• ALAS ArchitectsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBerlin-based architecture firm collaborated on Wohnen am Supermarkt Berlin feasibility study.
• Karres BrandsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational landscape architecture firm collaborated on Dempsey-Kaserne Paderborn competition (3rd prize).
• Octagon ArchitekturkollektivcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBerlin-based architecture collective frequent collaborator on multiple projects including Quartier Dormagen-Horrem, Campus Weißensee, Quartier am Haus der Statistik.
• Studio RWcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegular collaboration partner on urban design competitions including Quartier Dormagen-Horrem (2nd prize), Stadtquartier Haunstetten Augsburg (3rd prize), Energiehafen Cottbus (2nd prize), and others.
• topo*grafik paysagistescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarseille-based landscape architecture firm collaborated on multiple projects including IBA27 Quartier am Rotweg Stuttgart (1st prize) and Stadtquartier Eselswiese Rüsselsheim (2nd prize).
• bauchplan ).(coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunich/Vienna-based landscape architecture firm with extensive collaboration on numerous projects including Packhofgelände Brandenburg (1st prize), Regensburg Kaserne (1st prize), ULAP Quartier Berlin (1st prize), Stadtbaupuzzle Berlin (2nd prize), and many others.
• Grieger Harzer LandschaftsarchitektenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape architecture firm collaborated on Campus Rathaus Zehlendorf project.
• Man Made LandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUrban development consultancy collaborated on Quartier am Haus der Statistik Berlin project.
• bauchplan ).( (München/Wien)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary landscape architecture partner for Packhofgelände Brandenburg (1st prize 2021), Konversion Regensburg (1st prize 2020), ULAP Quartier Berlin (1st prize 2022), and multiple other competitions.
• Ferdinand Schmelzer - TamanduaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBerlin-based urban design practice collaborated on Europan 14 Zwickau Productive Update (1st prize 2017).
• greenbox LandschaftsarchitektencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStuttgart-based landscape architecture firm collaborated on IBA27 Quartier am Rotweg Stuttgart and Mainz BioTech Campus (1st prize 2023).
• greenbox Landschaftsarchitekten (Stuttgart)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape architecture partner for IBA27 Quartier am Rotweg Stuttgart (in construction, completion 2027).
• Studio VlayStreeruwitz (Wien)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVienna-based architecture firm collaborated on IBA27 Quartier am Rotweg Stuttgart (buildings Zoe, Olive, Diana).
• EMT Architekten (Stuttgart)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStuttgart-based architecture firm collaborated on IBA27 Quartier am Rotweg Stuttgart (buildings Jonathan, Ondine, Dine).
• institut für industriekultur (inik)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCottbus-based institute collaborated on Seevorstadt Cottbus framework planning.
• kollektiv-stadtsuchtminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCottbus-based collective collaborated on Seevorstadt Cottbus framework planning.
• UrbanStandardsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMobility consultancy collaborated on Mainz BioTech Campus (1st prize 2023).
• Gateway Real Estate AGminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReal estate developer and client for Leuchtwerkareal Augsburg competition (1st prize 2024).

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• HPP Architekten: Large established German architecture firm with broad portfolio across urban planning, public buildings, and housing. Comparable as a competitor in German municipal competitions but operates at significantly greater scale.
• David Chipperfield Architects: Internationally renowned architecture practice with Berlin office and strong German public-sector portfolio including museums and urban projects. Comparable as a high-credibility competitor for prestigious German public commissions but at much greater scale.
• Sauerbruch Hutton: Berlin-based architecture firm with strong portfolio in urban quarters and public-sector projects across Germany. Comparable competition positioning but significantly larger scale and broader international reach.
• Barkow Leibinger: Berlin-based international architecture firm recognized for innovation and competitions. Operates at broader scale than ISSS but shares Berlin base and competition-driven methodology.
• Henn Architekten: Munich/Berlin-based international architecture firm working on urban masterplans, public buildings, and campus projects. Comparable in competition participation and German public-sector engagement.

Direct peers

• Max Dudler: Berlin-based architecture firm engaged in German urban planning competitions, public buildings, and housing projects. Comparable in size, methodology, and German public-sector focus.
• Topotek 1: Berlin-based landscape architecture firm that frequently collaborates with architects on urban design competitions (similar to ISSS's partnership with bauchplan/bgmr). Comparable as a competition-led design practice operating at the architecture-landscape interface.
• Kuehn Malvezzi Architects: Berlin-based architecture office working at the intersection of architecture and urbanism, active in German urban design competitions and public-sector commissions. Directly comparable to ISSS in size, location, and competition portfolio.
• COBE Architects: Berlin/Copenhagen-based architecture and urban design studio known for competition-driven urban planning work, including large-scale mixed-use quarters. Highly comparable to ISSS in scale, methodology, and competition-led project acquisition.
• Bruno Fioretti Marquez: Berlin-based architecture firm with strong urban planning and competition portfolio across Germany, including housing and public buildings. Closely comparable peer in scale and German public-sector focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubevimeo.com/de/about
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/isss-research-architecture-urbanism

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 →

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