Zimmermann Sutter Architekten Ag

What Zimmermann Sutter Architekten Ag does

Zimmermann Sutter Architekten AG (ZSA) is a privately held Swiss architecture firm headquartered in Zürich, founded in 2005 by Andreas Zimmermann and operating as an Aktiengesellschaft since 2008; Simon Sutter joined as equal partner in 2015, and Boris Borrelli was added to the Geschäftsleitung in January 2025. The firm employs 14 staff including 2 apprentices and is led by two ETH/SIA-qualified partners alongside a team with international architectural education backgrounds. Its core offering is full-scope architectural design and planning — project competitions, feasibility, design development, construction planning, and supervision — delivered primarily for Swiss housing cooperatives (Baugenossenschaften) and public/municipal clients such as Stadt Zürich and the Swiss National Museum, with a secondary pioneering practice in MCS-compatible housing for chemically sensitive individuals. Project construction volumes range from CHF 17.7M to CHF 110M, with major ongoing engagements including Wohnsiedlung Herzogenmühle (250 units, CHF 110M), Wohnsiedlung Salzweg (~227 units, ~CHF 100M), and Sammlungszentrum Affoltern am Albis (~CHF 95M).

The firm applies a 'big open BIM Planung' methodology across its residential and institutional projects, enabling coordinated design and engineering collaboration with repeat specialty partners (landscape architects, structural engineers, HLS engineers, and construction managers). Revenue is generated through project-based professional services fees structured under the Swiss SIA fee framework, with business development driven primarily by winning open architecture competitions (multiple 1st-rank awards documented between 2014 and 2021) and direct relationships with cooperatives and municipalities. The marketing approach is built on professional publication presence (HOCHPARTERRE, WOHNEN, TEC21, SRF, Le Monde) and competition-driven visibility rather than consumer-facing channels, and the firm operates exclusively within Switzerland with a Zürich-area concentration.

Name

Zimmermann Sutter Architekten Ag

Legal name

Zimmermann Sutter Architekten AG

Website

https://zsa.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Zimmermann Sutter Architekten AG is a Zürich-based Swiss architecture firm providing BIM-based planning, residential design, and urban design services for housing cooperatives and public clients, with pioneering work in MCS-compatible housing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (541310), Architectural Services (54131), Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sustainability & ESG Consulting (BPAHACAK)

Keywords

• Residential architecture
• BIM planning services
• Cooperative housing design
• Public building design
• Urban settlement planning

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, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Architectural Design Services: Architecture and design services for residential housing, institutional buildings, and urban planning projects. Revenue generated through project-based fees for architectural planning, competition entries, and construction supervision.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Zimmermann Sutter Architekten AG is a Swiss architecture firm providing full-service architectural design, planning, competition entry, and supervision for residential housing complexes and public/institutional buildings. The firm applies "big open BIM Planung" methodology across projects, serving housing cooperatives, municipalities, and public institutions, and includes pioneering work in MCS-compatible (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity) housing construction.

Product overview

Zimmermann Sutter Architekten AG is a Swiss architecture firm offering comprehensive architectural services centered on residential housing development. The portfolio includes: core architectural services encompassing project competitions, urban planning, and building design; residential settlements for housing cooperatives and municipalities featuring BIM-based planning methodology; and specialized MCS-compatible housing for environmentally sensitive individuals. Projects range from multi-family apartment complexes (e.g., Herzogenmühle with 250 rental units, Frohalp with 79 units) to civic buildings including the Swiss National Museum's collection center in Affoltern am Albis. The firm employs approximately 14 staff and is led by partners Andreas Zimmermann and Simon Sutter.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Architectural Services Full-service architectural design and planning, including project competitions, feasibility studies, design development, construction planning, and project supervision for residential, civic, and specialized buildings. Provided to housing cooperatives, municipalities, and public institutions in Switzerland.
• Residential Settlement Design Design and realization of large-scale residential housing complexes, including multi-family apartment buildings, housing cooperative projects, urban renewal, and community-oriented living environments with diverse apartment typologies.
• Open BIM Planning (big open BIM Planung)

Quantifiable outcome

• Multiple 1st rank competition wins in open competitions
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 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

Feature2 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Atlant Baumanagement GmbH, ZürichcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBaumanagement (construction management) partner for Wohnsiedlung Herzogenmühle project. Long-term project collaboration.
• freiraumarchitektur gmbh, LuzerncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape architecture partner for Herzogenmühle project, creating integrated landscape and building design.
• 3-Plan AG, WinterthurcoreTechnology or IntegrationHLS-Planung (HVAC/plumbing) and electrical engineering for Herzogenmühle project. BIM coordination partner.
• APT Ingenieure GmbH, ZürichcoreTechnology or IntegrationStructural engineering (Statik) partner for Herzogenmühle project.
• Freiraumarchitektur, LuzerncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape architecture partner for Wohnsiedlung Frohalp project.
• Güntensperger Baumanagement, ZürichcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction management for Frohalp residential project.
• Albiez de Tomasi GmbH, ZürichcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape architecture partner for Kolonie 1+3 replacement and renovation project.
• Meier + Steinauer Partner AG, ZürichcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBaumanagement partner for Kolonie 1+3 project.
• Timbatec AG, ZürichcoreTechnology or IntegrationTimber construction engineering (Holzbau-Ing.) for Kolonie 1+3 project.
• JACO Jaeger Coneco Baumanagement, ZürichcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBaumanagement for Sammlungszentrum Affoltern project - BIM pilot project for BBL.
• Dr. Lüchinger + Meyer, ZürichcoreTechnology or IntegrationStructural and facade engineering for collection center project.
• GROPAR Bauingenieure AG, WinterthurcoreTechnology or IntegrationStructural engineering (Statik) for Wohnsiedlung Salzweg project.
• E. Keller + Partner, FrauenfeldcoreTechnology or IntegrationHLS engineering (HVAC/plumbing) for Salzweg residential project.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Miller & Maranta: Basel-based Swiss architecture firm known for public buildings, residential housing, and cultural projects. Comparable in mid-size scale, public-sector focus, and emphasis on Swiss SIA fee-based competition work.
• Baumberger & Stegmeier Architekten: Zürich-based Swiss architecture firm with similar mid-size scale and residential/institutional focus. Comparable as a Zürich firm competing for cooperative housing and public commissions, and notably was a prior employer of ZSA's new Geschäftsleitung member Boris Borrelli.
• Hosoya Schaefer Architects: Swiss-Dutch architecture firm focused on urban design, housing, and cooperative living projects. Comparable in targeting European cooperative and public housing clients with community-oriented residential design.
• Diener & Diener Architekten: Basel-based Swiss firm with strong track record in residential, commercial, and urban design projects. Comparable in competing for Swiss cooperative and institutional commissions and operating at a similar premium positioning.
• EM2N Architekten: Zürich-based Swiss architecture firm with similar mid-size profile, focused on public buildings, housing, and urban design. Comparable in targeting Swiss cooperative housing clients and winning open public competitions.
• Burkhalter Sumi Architekten: Swiss architecture firm based in Zürich, similarly focused on residential, public, and institutional projects. Comparable in scale, BIM methodology, and competition-driven business development within the Swiss cooperative and municipal housing sector.
• Studio Vulkan Architekten: Zürich-based Swiss architecture practice with comparable mid-size scale, urban design focus, and engagement in cooperative housing and mixed-use residential projects in Switzerland.

Broad incumbents

• Herzog & de Meuron: Global Swiss architecture giant headquartered in Basel with a much broader portfolio including cultural, residential, and commercial projects worldwide. Comparable as a Swiss firm winning major public commissions but operates at vastly greater scale.
• BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group): International architecture firm with significant residential and housing practice, including cooperative-style projects. Comparable as a peer competing for premium residential commissions but at much greater scale and global reach.

Emerging players

• KCAP Architects & Planners: Rotterdam/Zürich-based urban design and architecture firm with comparable focus on residential complexes, housing, and urban renewal projects. Comparable in serving public and cooperative clients across Europe, though typically larger scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 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 Zimmermann Sutter Architekten Ag