Studio Paola Viganò

What Studio Paola Viganò does

Studio Paola Viganò (SPV) is an architecture, urbanism, and landscape design practice founded as an independent entity in 2015 following the 1990–2014 Studio Bernardo Secchi and Paola Viganò partnership. The studio is led by Paola Viganò, a full professor of urban theory and urban design at EPFL and IUAV Venice, and operates with a core team of 8 employees supplemented by a rotating roster of named collaborators across Europe. Its work is centered on a layered design methodology that integrates urban scale, landscape, and architectural precision, anchored in the signature theoretical framework of the "Horizontal Metropolis" — a model for sustainable, diffuse urban development. Practice areas span strategic territorial visions, metropolitan masterplans, climate-adaptation and resilience planning, public-space design (parks, squares, intermodal hubs), and landscape architecture across Belgium, France, Italy, Germany, Russia, and Switzerland.

The studio's service offering is delivered through professional service engagements — design contracts, competition prizes, and masterplanning commissions — exclusively for government and public-institution clients. Projects are acquired via two channels: winning international and European design competitions initiated by public-sector commissioners, and direct commissions from municipalities, regional governments, federal agencies, and public development societies. The firm consistently partners with a recurring consortium of engineering, landscape, strategy, and architecture consultancies (including Arcadis, EGIS, Sweco, Yellow Window, Idea Consult, ARA, MAARCH, and vvv architecture) and maintains academic partnerships with EPFL, IUAV Venice, and the University of Liège, integrating research output (via publications through Springer, Park Books, Harvard University Press, and MetisPresses, and exhibitions at Venice, Shenzhen, Rotterdam, and BOZAR biennales) with project delivery. Pricing is project-based, determined through competitive tenders or direct commission, with multi-year contract cadences typical of public-sector masterplanning; no publicly disclosed pricing tiers exist.

The studio is founder-owned and controlled, with no external investors, parent company, or capital-raising events disclosed. It operates offices in Brussels (headquarters) and Milan, and has no subsidiaries, software products, AI/ML capabilities, patents, or disclosed revenue. Its brand equity is the principal asset, reinforced by major awards (Grand Prix de l'Urbanisme 2013, Flemish Culture Award for Architecture 2017, Milano Triennale Golden Medal 2018, Schelling Prize for Architectural Theory 2022, Brussels Architecture Prize 2025) and the upcoming 2027 Swiss Pavilion curation at the Architecture Biennale.

Name

Studio Paola Viganò

Legal name

Studio Paola Viganò

Website

https://studiopaolavigano.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Studio Paola Viganò is an architecture, urbanism, and landscape design practice led by founder Paola Viganò, delivering strategic territorial visions, masterplans, public-space design, and climate-resilience projects for government and public-institution clients across Europe, primarily through competition wins and direct commissions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural and Urban Planning Services

NAICS

Landscape Architectural Services (541320), Landscape Architectural Services (54132)

akta.pro primary industry

Urban Planning & Master Planning (BPAHAKAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Landscape Architecture & Site Design (BPAHAKAC)

Keywords

• Urban masterplanning services
• Public space design
• Landscape architecture services
• Territorial strategic planning
• Urban design consultancy

Headquarters

HQ city

Brussels

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Professional Services - Architecture and Urbanism: Studio provides architecture, urbanism, and landscape design services to public sector clients through design contracts, competition prizes, and masterplanning engagements. Revenue is generated through fees for design services, competition participation, and ongoing project commissions from government clients.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Studio Paola Viganò is an architecture, urbanism, and landscape design practice that delivers masterplans, public space designs, parks, and territorial strategic visions for government and public sector clients across Europe. Projects are won primarily through international design competitions and direct public commissions, addressing metropolitan resilience, climate adaptation, ecological transition, and public space quality. The studio combines urban-scale strategy with landscape and architectural precision under the proprietary 'Horizontal Metropolis' framework.

Product overview

Studio Paola Viganò is an architecture and urban planning studio that does not offer traditional software products or services. The studio provides professional services in urban design, landscape architecture, territorial planning, masterplanning, public space design, and strategic urban projects across Europe. Their work includes parks, public squares, urban redevelopment projects, territorial visions, and architectural design services delivered through collaborative studio projects rather than packaged products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Urban Masterplanning Strategic masterplans for metropolitan areas, districts, and neighborhoods covering urban form, mobility, public space, density, and phasing. Delivered for municipalities, regional governments, and federal agencies across Belgium, France, and Italy.
• Public Space Design Design and realization of parks, squares, and urban public realm projects integrating water management, biodiversity, and community needs. Provided for municipal and regional public sector clients in Brussels, Antwerp, Rennes, and other European cities.
• Territorial Strategic Vision Long-term strategic spatial visions for metropolitan areas, watersheds, and regions, including resilience planning, climate adaptation, and ecological transition. Delivered for regional and federal government clients across Europe.
• Landscape Architecture Design of landscape systems including brownfield recovery, planting design, and integration of natural systems within urban projects. Delivered in collaboration with specialist landscape partners for public sector clients.
• Architectural Design Architectural design services for public buildings, public realm structures, and integrated urban projects, often delivered in collaboration with architectural partners. Serves public sector clients across Belgium, France, and Italy.

Quantifiable outcome

• Marie Janson Square in Brussels awarded Brussels Architecture Prize 2025
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ArcadiscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArcadis has been a recurring collaboration partner on major public space and landscape projects including Parc Ouest (Brussels), Contrats de Rénovation Urbaine (Brussels), and the Garonne Eiffel project in Bordeaux.
• Plant en HoutgoedcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner on landscape and planting design for projects including Parc Ouest and Mediapark in Brussels.
• Bas bvbacoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCollaborates on structural and engineering aspects of public space projects including Parc Ouest and Marie Janson Square.
• EGIScoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEngineering and mobility partner on multiple projects including Mediapark, Esseghem, Brest Metropolis guide plan, and ACEC Herstal masterplan.
• Sweco BelgiumcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEngineering and landscape partner on Ringpark (Antwerp) and ACEC Herstal masterplan.
• Yellow WindowcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConsultant on multiple projects including Parc Ouest, Vesdre Strategic Scheme, Mediapark, and Tournai Station plateau.
• ARA (Atelier Ruimtelijk Advies)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSpatial planning and landscape consultant on projects including Mediapark, Peterbos, Marie Janson Square, Atom Park (Dessel), and Sportspark Genk.
• vvv architecturecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitecture partner on Peterbos and Marie Janson Square projects in Brussels.
• University of Liège (ULiège)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner coordinating the Strategic Scheme for the recovery of the Vesdre Valley after the 2021 flooding catastrophe.
• EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudio leader Paola Viganò directs the Habitat Research Center and Lab-U at EPFL, integrating academic research with studio practice.
• IUAV VenicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudio leader Paola Viganò is a full professor at IUAV Venice, integrating academic work with studio practice.
• Idea ConsultcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStrategy and programming consultant on multiple projects including Brest Metropolis, Val de Sambre, ACEC Herstal, Ringpark Antwerp, and Brussels 2040.
• Dries Beys (ARA)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLandscape consultant on Atom Park Dessel, Sportspark Genk, Hostel Wadi, Regatta Antwerp, and Theatreplein Antwerp projects.
• FALLOWminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLandscape design partner on Mediapark public space project.
• Charles Dard PaysagistecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLandscape design partner on ZAC de la Courrouze (Rennes) and Coeur de Courrouze projects.
• MAARCHcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitecture partner with Studio Paola Viganò on Ringpark project in Antwerp.
• a.g LichtminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLighting design consultant on Mediapark project.
• Cluster landschap & stedenbouwminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLandscape and urbanism consultant on Ringpark Antwerp and Esseghem projects.
• BRATminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConsultant on Peterbos project in Anderlecht.
• OrgécominorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEconomy and strategy consultant on Lille Metropolis 2030, Garonne Eiffel (Bordeaux), and Val de Durance projects.
• CITECminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTransportation and mobility consultant on Lille Metropolis 2030 and Val de Durance projects.
• ECORYSminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConsultant on New Moscow project.
• SPI (Agence de développement pour la province de Liège)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment agency client and partner for the ACEC Herstal masterplan project.
• Bureau Economique de la Province de NamurcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClient and partner for Val de Sambre territorial redevelopment plan.
• IABR (International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudio participated in IABR-Atelier OVK (East Flanders) working on sustainable future scenarios for the metropolitan region.
• Architecture Workroom BrusselscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner for the OVK Biennale Rotterdam project on East Flanders metropolitan scenarios.
• Lab-U and Habitat Research Center at EPFLcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partners for the Biopolitical Garden installation at Venice Biennale 2021 and ongoing research activities.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• West 8 Urban Design & Landscape Architecture: Dutch landscape architecture and urban design firm with a comparable European public-realm portfolio (parks, waterfronts, masterplans) and a similar founder-led, theory-driven practice model.
• Stefano Boeri Architetti: Italian architecture and urbanism practice with strong public-sector masterplanning work in Italy and Europe, overlapping with SPV's metropolitan and public-space engagements.
• James Corner Field Operations: International landscape architecture and urban design firm known for large-scale public parks and waterfronts; comparable on landscape-architecture-led public-realm commissions.
• Mecanoo Architecten: Dutch architecture studio with a significant urban-design and public-realm practice delivering masterplans, public spaces, and cultural buildings for European municipalities - direct competitor in competitions.
• KCAP Architects & Planners: Rotterdam/Zurich-based architecture and urban planning practice of comparable size and ethos, focused on masterplanning, urban strategies, and public-sector commissions across Europe - the closest direct competitor in scale and methodology.

Broad incumbents

• UNStudio: Amsterdam-based architecture and urban-design network with broad European masterplanning and public-building work; competing in similar high-profile public-sector bids.
• Snøhetta: Larger Norwegian-headquartered architecture, landscape, and brand-design practice active across European public-sector masterplans and public realms; overlapping but much bigger and broader in scope.
• OMA / Office for Metropolitan Architecture: Globally leading architecture and urban-planning firm frequently engaged on European metropolitan masterplans and public buildings; a much larger incumbent competing for the same headline tenders.
• MVRDV: Rotterdam-based architecture and urbanism firm with a significant European public-realm and masterplanning portfolio; comparable design ethos but substantially larger.
• BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group): Danish-headquartered global architecture practice increasingly active on European masterplans and public buildings; competing at the larger end of public-sector tenders.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/studio-paola-vigan%C3%B2

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 →

Frequently asked questions about Studio Paola Viganò