Mentha Walther Architekten GmbH

What Mentha Walther Architekten GmbH does

Mentha Walther Architekten GmbH is a Zurich-based Swiss architecture firm founded in 2017 by Nicolas Mentha and Jeanine Walther, both MSc Arch ETH. The firm delivers architectural services across the full project lifecycle, from competition entry and conceptual design through execution and construction supervision, with four core service lines: new construction (Neubau), renovation and conversion of existing buildings including heritage-protected structures (Sanierung und Umbau), architectural competition participation (Wettbewerbe), and general planning (Gesamtplanung). Specialized technical competencies include Minergie-P-eco sustainable construction, hybrid material construction (timber, concrete, rammed earth, steel), and heritage-sensitive renovation, with internal fire safety expertise via Nicolas Mentha's VKF (Brandschutzfachmann) certification. The firm works on ArchiCAD running on Apple hardware and routinely partners with external landscape architecture firms and specialists such as Renggli AG on timber execution.

The firm generates revenue through professional services fees structured per project, with two principal customer segments. The first is Swiss municipal and cantonal government clients, including Stadt Zürich, Stadt Zürich Sportamt, Gemeinde Ostermundigen, and the Municipality of Oberglatt, accessed primarily through public architecture competitions (offener Wettbewerb, selektives Verfahren, Planerwahlverfahren) where the firm has accumulated multiple 1st-Rang wins since its first project in 2017. The second segment is private residential clients, accessed via direct commissions for renovation, conversion, and bespoke joinery work on single-family homes and apartments. Geographic reach is concentrated in German-speaking Switzerland across cantons of Zurich, Bern, Solothurn, Aargau, and St. Gallen, with one cross-border German park competition in Kempten im Allgäu.

The go-to-market model is competition-led and referral-based: revenue and pipeline are driven by a sustained track record of 1st-place competition finishes, SIA firm membership (since 2024), Best Architects 25 awards (four categories in 2025), and earned media coverage in Swiss and international architecture press. The firm operates with a small co-founder-led core team of six plus one intern, scaling execution through a stable ecosystem of landscape architecture and engineering partners rather than headcount expansion. No institutional investors, parent companies, or funding rounds are present; the entity is entirely founder-owned and structured as a Swiss GmbH.

Name

Mentha Walther Architekten GmbH

Legal name

Mentha Walther Architekten GmbH

Website

https://menthawalther.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Mentha Walther Architekten GmbH is a Zurich-based Swiss architecture firm specializing in sustainable timber construction and heritage-sensitive renovations, serving Swiss municipalities through architecture competitions and private homeowners via direct commissions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Design Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (54131)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Historic Home Renovation & Preservation (HSAPAEAG), Architectural Reconfiguration & Structural Alterations (HSAPAEAB)

Keywords

• Architectural design services
• Sustainable building design
• Timber construction architecture
• Heritage building renovation
• General planning services

Headquarters

HQ city

Zürich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Architecture and General Planning Services: Revenue is generated through professional services fees for architecture, general planning (Generalplaner), and construction management (Bauleitung) across all project phases — from competition design through execution. Fees are typically structured as a percentage of construction cost or fixed project fees. Both private direct commissions and public sector tender-based projects contribute revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Mentha Walther Architekten GmbH provides architectural services in four core areas: Neubau (new construction), Sanierung und Umbau (renovation and conversion including heritage-listed buildings), Wettbewerbe (architecture competitions), and Gesamtplanung (general planning from competition design through construction management). The firm specializes in sustainable timber construction, historical building renovation, and integrated landscape design, serving public-sector clients through Swiss architecture competitions and private homeowners through direct commissions.

Product overview

Mentha Walther Architekten GmbH is an architecture firm offering a unified portfolio of architectural services rather than a modular software product. Their core offerings include: (1) Neubau (New Construction) - design and delivery of new buildings from kindergartens to school complexes and sports facilities; (2) Sanierung und Umbau (Renovation and Conversion) - sensitive restoration and adaptation of existing structures, including heritage-protected buildings; (3) Wettbewerbe (Architecture Competitions) - competitive bid preparation and participation; and (4) Gesamtplanung (General Planning) - comprehensive project management from concept through construction supervision. The firm specializes in building in historical contexts and sustainable wood construction, working with landscape architecture partners to deliver integrated projects across Switzerland.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Neubau (New Construction) Design and construction of new buildings including kindergartens, school buildings, sports facilities, and residential homes for public and private clients.
• Sanierung und Umbau (Renovation and Conversion) Restoration and conversion of existing buildings, including heritage-protected structures, adapting them to modern needs while preserving historical substance.
• Wettbewerbe (Architecture Competitions) Participation and winning of architectural competitions for public and private clients across Switzerland, including open, selective, and invited competition procedures.
• Gesamtplanung (General Planning) Comprehensive project management from competition design through execution and construction supervision, including the role of general planner (Generalplaner).
• Garderoben- und Clubgebäude Hönggerberg Sports locker and club building for the Höngg hill area in Zürich, featuring a wooden structure with 14 column rows and sustainable building systems including heat pump and integrated PV system, designed to Minergie-P-eco standards.
• Kindergarten Dickloo, Oberglatt New single-story kindergarten building consisting of three main volumes and two connecting structures, located as a green island in the suburban area surrounded by forest and recreational facilities.
• Schulhaus Wasserwerkstrasse, Zürich Conversion of a historic 1783 factory building (first major facility outside Zurich's city walls) into a school and childcare facility, preserving heritage elements while adding modern amenities.
• Schule Rothus, Ostermundigen Complete general planning for a school in Ostermundigen, awarded 1st place in selective planning procedure, currently under construction with planned opening in 2027.
• Schulhaus Brühl, Dornach Primary school project won in open project competition in 2025, featuring hybrid construction with wood, concrete, rammed earth, and steel, planned for the Dornach municipality.

Quantifiable outcome

• Multiple 1st Rang competition wins across educational, sports, and residential projects since 2017
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered project partner, industry association and industry network.

• S2L Landschaftsarchitektenproject partnerOthersCollaborated with S2L Landschaftsarchitekten on the Garderoben- und Clubgebäude Hönggerberg project (2017, 1st Rang). S2L served as the landscape architecture partner for this sports facility project designed to Minergie-P-eco standards.
• Carolin Riede Landschaftsarchitekturproject partnerOthersPartnered with Carolin Riede Landschaftsarchitektur on the Kindergarten Dickloo project (selective competition 2021, 1st Rang). Also collaborated on the Siedlung Hirzenbach project (2020) and the Freibad Marzili project in Bern.
• Müller Wildbolz Landschaftsarchitektenproject partnerOthersLong-standing collaboration with Müller Wildbolz Landschaftsarchitekten on multiple school projects including Schule Rothus Ostermundigen (1st Rang 2021, in execution) and Schulanlage Vorstadt Solothurn.
• Beer Landschaftenproject partnerOthersCollaborated with Beer Landschaften on the Schulhaus Brühl project in Dornach (project competition 2025, 1st Rang). Currently in the planning phase.
• Klötzli Friedli Landschaftsarchitekten AGproject partnerOthersCollaborated with Klötzli Friedli Landschaftsarchitekten AG on multiple projects including Seepolizei Oberrieden (2023), Schulhaus Riedhof Zürich (2023), Schulanlage Vogtsrain (2024), Schulanlage Langwiesen Winterthur (2022), and Fussballtribüne Buechenwald Gossau (2019).
• Renggli AGproject partnerOthersCollaborated with Renggli AG on the Garderobengebäude Affoltern am Albis project (total performance competition 2024, 2nd Rang). Renggli served as the timber construction/general contractor partner.
• SIA (Schweizerischer Ingenieur- und Architektenverein)industry associationOthersJeanine Walther serves as a delegate of the BGA in the SIA for high-quality, fair, and healthy public procurement. The firm is a member of the SIA. The firm has been admitted as a corporate member.
• WIPSwiss (Women in Planning Switzerland)industry networkOthersJeanine Walther is a member of WIPSwiss, connecting women in the real estate and planning industry. Represents the planning side of the industry network.
• Duo Landschaftsarchitekturproject partnerOthersCollaborated with Duo Landschaftsarchitektur on the Wohnen in der Brugera project in Düdingen (project competition 2026, 3rd Rang).
• Uniola AGproject partnerOthersCollaborated with Uniola AG on the Schulhaus Bodenacker project in Münchenbuchsee (selective project competition 2025).
• Architheke AGproject partnerOthersCollaborated with Architheke AG on the Schulhaus Umiken project in Brugg (selective project competition 2022).
• Wild Stark Architektenproject partnerOthersCollaborated with Wild Stark Architekten and Klötzli Friedli Landschaftsarchitekten on the Siedlung Grabenacker project in Winterthur (selective study commission 2024).
• Habitat Landschaftsarchitekten AGproject partnerOthersCollaborated with Habitat Landschaftsarchitekten AG on the Erweiterung Schulanlage Hellmatt project in Möriken-Wildegg (selective project competition 2023, 4th Rang).
• Hoffmann Müller Landschaftsarchitektur GmbHproject partnerOthersCollaborated with Hoffmann Müller Landschaftsarchitektur GmbH on the Halle für Alle project in Richterswil (selective study commission 2021).
• Fanzun AGproject partnerOthersCollaborated with Fanzun AG (together with Carolin Riede Landschaftsarchitektur) on the Gesamtsanierung Freibad Marzili project in Bern. Selected as a junior team (Nachwuchsteam) for this major renovation.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Atelier Scheidegger Keller: Zurich practice with a similar focus on sustainable public-sector architecture and competition-based acquisition; comparable scale and overlapping interest in timber and low-energy design strategies.
• Christian Kerez: ETH-affiliated Zurich architect engaged in public buildings, competitions, and innovative structural experimentation; comparable in competition-led acquisition and in pedigree within the ETH Zürich architecture ecosystem.
• Vetter Schmid Architekten: Zurich practice where Jeanine Walther previously worked as Projektleiterin; comparable scale and direct talent overlap, with similar orientation toward residential and public commissions.
• EM2N Architekten: Zurich-based practice with parallel work in public buildings, education, and adaptive reuse; comparable profile in Swiss public competition work and similar emphasis on context-driven, material-focused design.
• Joos Mathys Architekten: Zurich firm where Nicolas Mentha previously worked as Projektarchitekt/Projektleiter; directly comparable in practice size, design culture, and competition-driven business model within the Swiss German market.
• Boltshauser Architekten: Swiss firm with a strong Wettbewerbe track record in educational and timber construction; comparable scale and similar focus on sustainable public-sector buildings make it a closely aligned peer for project type and acquisition model.
• Miller & Maranta: Swiss firm with deep experience in public-sector educational and cultural buildings; comparable in heritage-sensitive design approach and reliance on selective competitions for institutional clients.
• Burkhalter Sumi Architekten: Zurich-based architecture practice with a comparable profile of public-sector, education, and residential work; co-founder Jeanine Walther previously held a project-leader role here, indicating strong overlap in design culture and competition-based acquisition.
• Wild Bär Architekten AG: Zurich firm where Jeanine Walther previously interned; comparable profile in heritage renovation and public-sector commissions, making it a natural peer for talent flow and project-type overlap.

Broad incumbents

• Gigon Guyer Architekten: Long-established Zurich practice with extensive public-sector and cultural-building portfolio; larger and broader in scope but operating in the same Swiss competition ecosystem and competing for similar institutional clients.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mentha-walther-architekten-gmbh

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mentha Walther Architekten GmbH