Oxid Architektur GmbH

What Oxid Architektur GmbH does

Oxid Architektur GmbH is a Zurich-based Swiss architecture firm established in 2020 when partners Yves Schihin and Urs Rinklef took over the predecessor practice Burkhalter Sumi Architekten (founded 1984). The firm operates from Münstergasse 18a in central Zurich with a staff of approximately 20-25, organised around two partners and two associates plus senior architects, project leaders, administration, interns, and apprentices.

The firm's practice is built on three interlocking methodological pillars: Re-Use (systematic renovation and adaptive reuse of existing building stock to preserve embodied carbon), Reduce (building in wood wherever structurally sensible, including multi-storey timber and hybrid timber systems), and Revaluate (giving new value to architectural and cultural heritage). Deliverables span residential complexes (Waldacker in St. Gallen, Ghiringhelli in Bellinzona, Wolfsmatt in Dietikon, Inwil in Baar), commercial and office conversions (Buck 40, Stadthalle Zürich, Langstrasse), educational and public buildings (Schulhaus Sonnenberg, Lokstadthallen/Casino Winterthur, BVM Thun), and area/urban developments (Mühlematte Zofingen, En Chise Crissier, Am Saurerplatz Arbon). Applied research includes the Modul17 high-rise timber-hybrid prototype co-developed with Lucerne University of Applied Sciences (HSLU) and the Timber Whale modular joinery prototype.

The business model is professional-services/project-fee based. Revenue is generated through architectural design commissions acquired via Swiss architectural competitions (Wettbewerb), direct mandates from repeat clients, and Arbeitsgemeinschaften (ARGE working groups) with peer firms such as Scheitlin Syfrig Architekten, HSAR AG, and Atelier Burkhalter Sumi to pursue larger or more complex commissions. Clients are predominantly Swiss institutional and enterprise counterparties — pension funds (Previs, BVK), health and property insurers (Helsana, Progrès), listed and private real-estate developers (Mobimo, Turintra, Planzer, ChamSwissProperty), housing cooperatives, and municipalities (Stadt Adliswil) — served through project-based engagements across German-, French-, and Italian-speaking Switzerland. The firm uses no external funding, operates as a privately held GmbH, and markets primarily through competition wins, peer-reviewed publications in Swiss and international architecture journals, awards (Best Architects, Prix Lignum, Constructive Alps, SNBS Platinum), academic lectures, and a 2025 monograph 'Überschreibungen' published by Quart Verlag.

Name

Oxid Architektur GmbH

Legal name

Oxid Architektur GmbH

Website

https://oxid-architektur.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Zurich-based Swiss architecture firm (founded 2020, ~20-25 staff) specialising in sustainable timber construction, building reuse, and heritage conversion for institutional clients including pension funds, insurers, real-estate developers, and municipalities across Switzerland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Design Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (541310), Architectural Services (54131)

SIC

Prefabricated Wood Bldgs & Components (2452)

akta.pro primary industry

Residential Modular & Prefabricated Home Construction (IMAFABAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

ADU Design, Architecture & Engineering (HSAPAMAF)

Keywords

• Sustainable architecture
• Timber construction
• Adaptive reuse
• Urban development
• Architectural design 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, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Architectural Design Services: Oxid Architektur generates revenue through commissions for architectural design services, including new construction, renovation, adaptive reuse, and urban development projects. Revenue is derived from project-based fees for architectural planning, design, and project management services. Projects are acquired through competitions, direct commissions, and invited tenders.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Oxid Architektur GmbH is a Swiss architecture firm providing professional architectural design services for new construction, renovation, adaptive reuse, and urban area development. Its practice centres on two formal approaches: the Re-Use / Revaluate methodology (working with existing building stock to preserve grey energy) and the Reduce / Holzbau methodology (building in wood wherever sensible), delivering residential, commercial, public, and educational projects primarily across Switzerland.

Product overview

Oxid Architektur GmbH is a Swiss architecture firm based in Zurich offering architectural design services and project development. The firm operates as a single unified practice rather than a platform with separate modules. Their portfolio encompasses residential complexes, commercial conversions, educational facilities, urban developments, and heritage transformations. Key project types include multi-family housing (Waldacker, Ghiringhelli), commercial reuse (Buck 40, Stadthalle), public buildings (Lokstadthallen, Schulhaus Sonnenberg), and area developments. The firm specializes in timber construction (Holzbau), building reuse (Re-Use), and sustainable development approaches.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Architectural Design and Project Management Services Core professional service offered to enterprise clients (real estate developers, municipalities, cooperatives, insurance firms) for the planning, design, and project management of new construction, renovation, and adaptive reuse projects across Switzerland.
• Waldacker Residential Settlement, St. Gallen Multi-family residential development in St. Gallen with two long, angled building volumes forming three neighbourhoods around a communal interior courtyard, delivered in systematic timber construction for client Previs Vorsorge AG.
• Ghiringhelli Residential Development, Bellinzona Housing development in Bellinzona featuring a 'torretta' tower and 'casa di ringhiera' courtyard ensemble in prefabricated timber construction, delivered for client Helsana AG and recognised for sustainable wood construction.
• Sonnenberg School Expansion and Renovation, Adliswil School extension and renovation in Adliswil with a staggered head building in timber construction, classrooms arranged windmill-style around a top-lit circulation and break space, designed for client Stadt Adliswil.
• Buck 40 Commercial Building Conversion, Zürich Conversion of a 1960s commercial building in Zürich using the Re-Use / Reduce / Revaluate approach: building gutted, atrium cut through, and topped with a wooden extension, delivered for client Turintra AG in ARGE with Scheitlin Syfrig Architekten.
• Lokstadthallen Conversion, Winterthur Conversion of the historic SLM industrial halls in Winterthur into public spaces including a casino, restaurants, and event areas, preserving the industrial character while inserting wooden structures, delivered for client ChamSwissProperty AG with project partner Implenia AG.
• Stadthalle Zürich Conversion Conversion of the listed 1906 Stadthalle Zürich from event venue to the headquarters of Switzerland Tourism, with multiple ceiling fields cut to create atria and gallery spaces.
• Wolfsmatt Residential Development, Dietikon Three 3-storey building bodies with attic and head formation around a south-facing communal courtyard in timber construction, delivered for real estate developer partner Mobimo AG.
• Mühlematte Area Development, Zofingen Area development project under the 'AS FOUND' concept with focus on rail-city connection, industrial and local identity, and housing/leisure uses, delivered in Zofingen.
• Langstrasse Mixed-Use Conversion, Zürich Conversion of an existing office building on Langstrasse in Zürich to residential apartments with commercial spaces on the ground floor, creating a hybrid urban block, built with general contractor Marti Gesamtleistungen AG.
• REM 3 Housing Cooperative Project, St. Gallen Residential project in St. Gallen delivered for client Genossenschaft REM 3, expanding the firm's housing-cooperative portfolio.

Quantifiable outcome

• Waldacker is the world's first residential settlement in wood to receive the SNBS Platinum sustainability label (2022)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 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

Feature5 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Scheitlin Syfrig ArchitektencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Oxid Architektur formed an ARGE (working group) with Scheitlin Syfrig Architekten for the Buck 40 project in Zürich. This partnership was formed following a competition win in 2020 for the conversion and transformation of the commercial building at Buckhauserstrasse 40.
• HSAR AGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Oxid Architektur partnered with HSAR AG (Höngger Studer Architekten) in an ARGE for the Lokstadthallen project in Winterthur. The partnership won the competition in 2020 for the conversion of the historic SLM industrial halls into a casino and gastro complex.
• Renggli AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRenggli AG, a Swiss timber construction company based in Sursee, is a key partner for multiple Oxid Architektur projects including Waldacker (as general contractor and timber builder), Ghiringhelli (as general planner in ARGE), and Wolfsmatt. Renggli's expertise in prefabricated timber construction is central to these projects' success.
• Studio Vulkan, ZürichminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape architecture partner for the En Chise project in Crissier, responsible for the landscape design of the central public square and surrounding areas.
• Cabane Partner, BaselminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSociology and urban planning partner for the En Chise project, contributing urban strategy expertise to the centre development.
• Timbatec Holzbauingenieure Schweiz AGminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTimber construction engineering partner for the Altwiesen project, providing structural engineering expertise for the timber construction aspects.
• Planikum AG, ZürichminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLandscape architecture partner for the Altwiesen project, responsible for the landscape design of the garden city typology.
• Makiol + Wiederkehr, Beinwil a.S.minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTimber construction engineering firm that collaborated on the Pile Up Giesshübel project as structural engineer for the prefabricated timber construction.
• Walt+Galmarini AG, ZürichminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStructural engineering partner for the Inwil project, responsible for the timber construction structural design.
• Marti Gesamtleistungen AG, ZürichminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGeneral contractor for the Langstrasse project in Zürich, providing construction services.
• Planikum, ZürichminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLandscape architecture partner for the Luegisland project in Schwamendingen.
• AppertZwahlenPartner, ChamminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLandscape architecture partner for the Wolfsmatt project in Dietikon.
• Vetsch Partner Landschaftsarchitekten, ZürichminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLandscape architecture partner for the Florahof project in Dietikon.
• Officina del paesaggio, LuganominorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLandscape architecture partner for the Ghiringhelli project in Bellinzona.
• Neuland, ZürichminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLandscape architecture partner for the Residenz Rigiblick project in Walchwil.
• Frutiger AG, ThunminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGeneral contractor (Totalunternehmer) for the Buck 40 project, responsible for construction execution.
• Implenia AG, WinterthurminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDeveloper/client representative for the Lokstadthallen project in Winterthur.
• Vetsch Partner AG, ZürichminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLandscape architecture partner for the BVM Thun project.
• Blesshess AG, LuzernminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStructural engineering partner for the BVM Thun project.
• Marianne Burkhalter und Christian Sumi (Atelier Burkhalter Sumi)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe firm's founders Marianne Burkhalter and Christian Sumi continue to be active in architecture, theory, and exhibitions, and accompany Oxid Architektur in various working groups (ARGE). They maintain their own practice Atelier Burkhalter Sumi and are founding partners of the predecessor firm Burkhalter Sumi Architekten.
• Bivgrafik – Visuelle Gestaltung, ZürichminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGraphic design agency responsible for the visual design and concept of the Oxid Architektur website.
• marceli.to, WinterthurminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWeb programming partner responsible for the Oxid Architektur website development.
• Quart VerlagminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss architecture book publisher that published the monograph 'Oxid Architektur – Überschreibungen' in June 2025 to mark Oxid Architektur's fifth anniversary. The monograph showcases selected projects demonstrating the firm's commitment to high building culture.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Duplex Architekten: Zurich-based firm known for sustainable, often timber-driven residential and conversion projects. Highly comparable in scale, methodology (system-based design, sustainability focus), and Swiss competition-led GTM.
• Staufer & Hasler Architekten: Swiss architecture firm of similar size with strong residential, conversion and public-building portfolio. Comparable competition-driven business model and similar exposure to Swiss sustainable-construction trends.
• HSAR AG (Höngger Studer Architekten): Zurich-based peer practice that partnered with Oxid as ARGE on the Lokstadthallen competition. Comparable scale, Swiss competition-led GTM, and overlapping project typologies in conversion and public-sector commissions.
• Atelier Burkhalter Sumi: Founders Marianne Burkhalter and Christian Sumi's current independent practice, which directly preceded Oxid Architektur. Operates in Switzerland with the same timber/Re-Use DNA and continues to collaborate on ARGEs with Oxid. Effectively the parental lineage and closest philosophical peer.
• Scheitlin Syfrig Architekten: Lucerne-based Swiss architecture firm of comparable size and profile, with which Oxid forms ARGEs (notably Buck 40). Comparable portfolio across residential, commercial and adaptive reuse, and competes in the same competition circuit.
• Furrer Jud Architekten: Zurich-based Swiss architecture firm of similar size, with strong residential and conversion portfolio including notable timber projects. Competes in the same Wettbewerb circuit and serves similar pension-fund and cooperative clients.
• Buol & Zünd Architekten: Basel-based Swiss architecture firm with similar scale and a portfolio of awarded residential and conversion projects. Comparable design-led, competition-driven business model and Swiss DACH client base.

Broad incumbents

• Christ & Gantenbein: Basel-based, internationally recognized Swiss architecture firm. Competes with Oxid in the same Swiss competition market and shares an interest in masonry and material-led design, though at materially larger scale and broader typological scope.
• Herzog & de Meuron: Global Swiss-headquartered architecture firm based in Basel. Functions as an upper bound on the Swiss architecture market; overlaps in conversion, cultural and residential work but operates at vastly greater scale and international scope.
• EM2N Architekten: Larger Zurich-based Swiss architecture firm with broader portfolio across cultural, public and residential work. Overlaps with Oxid in conversion and sustainable design, but operates at a bigger scale with significantly more employees.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/oxid-architektur-gmbh

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Oxid Architektur GmbH