althaus architekten

What althaus architekten does

Althaus Architekten + is a privately held Swiss architectural partnership headquartered in Bern (Seidenweg 8a) and founded in 1935 by Willi Althaus. The firm provides architectural design, renovation, restoration, and urban planning services across three core service lines: general architectural design for residential and commercial buildings, specialized historic preservation and restoration (Denkmalpflege) of heritage structures including churches and historic homes, and urban planning/competition work including public tender submissions. Geographic reach is concentrated in Switzerland, with projects executed across the Canton of Bern (Bern, Köniz, Thun, Wichtrach, Muri, Frutigen) and broader German-speaking Switzerland (Winterthur, Windisch, Wettingen). Customer mix spans four verticals: private residential (primary), religious institutions (churches and parish centers), educational/public (municipalities, schools, kindergartens), and housing cooperatives, with named clients including Gemeinde Wichtrach, Kirchliche Zentrum Markus Bern, Gemeinde Frutigen, Kirche Muri, Genossenschaftssiedlung Klosterbrühl, Wohnheim Rossfeld, and BLS AG.

The firm operates as a professional services practice on standard architectural tools with no proprietary technology stack, AI, or digital platform. Revenue is generated through project-based fees calculated according to Swiss professional fee scales (SIA standards), driven by direct client engagement, architectural competitions, and selective invitations. The firm regularly participates in architectural competitions (Wettbewerb) and has secured multiple first-place wins including Markuskirche, Bahnhof Frutigen, Klosterbrühl, and Kindergarten Freudenreich. Distribution is entirely domestic (single-country, Switzerland) via direct sales to enterprise, government, and cooperative clients, supported by earned media in trade publications (TEC21, Hochparterre, Archithese, werk bauen + wohnen) and exhibitions (AIT ArchitekturSalon, S AM).

Leadership transitioned from founder Willi Althaus (1935–1982) to his son Jürg Althaus (1982–2007) and is now held by Ueli Krauss, Michael Zwygart, and Nicolaj Bechtel as co-owners and managing partners. The team totals approximately 13 staff including 3 partners, 1 administrator, 6 architects/designers, 2 apprentices, 1 intern, and 1 interior architect. Strategic partnerships include co-developments with Jordi + Partner AG (2017, Wohnen im Rossfeld) and Galli Rudolf Architekten (2015, Klosterbrühl), plus a 2023 consultation with Álvaro Siza Vieira on the Kunstmuseum Bern competition. The firm is recognized via industry awards including best architects 2016, Iconic Awards 2015, Denkmalpflegepreis Kanton Bern 2014, GaultMillau Architektur 2023, and multiple "Der beste Umbau" recognitions.

Name

althaus architekten

Legal name

Althaus Architekten +

Website

https://aa-plus.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1935

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Althaus Architekten + is a Bern-based, privately held Swiss architectural partnership founded in 1935, providing architectural design, renovation, restoration, and urban planning services to private residential clients, municipalities, religious institutions, and housing cooperatives across Switzerland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (541310), Architectural Services (54131), Interior Design Services (54141), Residential Remodelers (236118)

SIC

General Bldg Contractors - Residential Bldgs (1520)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Historic Home Renovation & Preservation (HSAPAEAG), Whole-Home Interior Renovation (Non-Structural) (HSAPAEAC), Luxury Whole-Home Renovation (High-End Finishes & Custom Build) (HSAPAEAI)

Keywords

• Architectural design services
• Historic building restoration
• Urban planning services
• Residential architecture design
• Heritage conservation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bern

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Architectural Services: Project-based fees for architecture, renovation, restoration, and new construction projects. Revenue is generated through professional architectural services including design, planning, and project supervision.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Althaus Architekten + is a Swiss architecture firm offering full-service architectural design, renovation, restoration, and urban planning for residential, commercial, public, and heritage buildings across Switzerland. The firm specializes in sensitive renovation and restoration of historic and culturally significant structures (Denkmalpflege), alongside new construction and competition projects, delivered through project-based professional services.

Product overview

Althaus Architekten + is a Swiss architecture firm offering a comprehensive portfolio of architectural services. The firm operates across three main service areas: general architectural design for residential and commercial buildings, specialized historic preservation and restoration services (Denkmalpflege) for heritage structures including churches and historic homes, and urban planning/competition projects including public tender submissions. Founded in 1935 and continuing the legacy of Willi Althaus, the firm manages projects spanning new construction, renovation, conversion, and expansion across the Canton of Bern and broader Switzerland.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Architectural Services Full-service architectural firm offering design, renovation, restoration, and planning services for residential, commercial, public, religious, and cultural buildings across Switzerland. Services are delivered as commissioned project engagements for municipalities, religious institutions, cooperatives, private homeowners, and enterprises.

Quantifiable outcome

• Multiple first-place competition wins including Wettbewerb 2021, 1. Preis (Markuskirche), Wettbewerb 1. Rang (Bahnhof Frutigen), Wettbewerb 1. Rang (Klosterbrühl), Planerwahlverfahren 1. Rang (Kindergarten Freudenreich)

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Álvaro Siza VieiraminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Architecture consultation on Kunstmuseum Bern competition project
• Jordi + Partner AGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Collaboration on Wohnen im Rossfeld project - 45 apartments for people with physical disabilities in Bern (2017-2019)
• Galli Rudolf ArchitektencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Collaboration on Genossenschaftssiedlung Klosterbrühl project in Wettingen (Wettbewerb 1. Preis)

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Bétrix & Consolascio: Swiss architecture firm known for public, cultural, and residential projects across Switzerland, with similar reliance on competitions and public-tender commissions.
• Christ & Gantenbein: Basel-based architecture firm with strong portfolio in museum, residential, and adaptive reuse projects. Comparable in scale and in pursuit of similar Swiss competition and public-tender commissions.
• Miller & Maranta: Basel-based Swiss architecture firm renowned for context-sensitive residential and heritage projects, including Denkmalpflege work. Highly comparable practice mix to Althaus's renovation and new-build portfolio in the Swiss-German market.
• EM2N Architekten: Zürich-based Swiss architecture firm with similar mid-size partner structure and strong presence in residential, public, and competition-led projects across Switzerland.
• Diener & Diener Architekten: Established Basel-based architecture firm with comparable Swiss footprint, working across residential, cultural, and urban-planning commissions. Overlaps directly with Althaus in competition-driven public and cultural project work.
• Galli Rudolf Architekten: Swiss architecture firm with a residential and cooperative-housing portfolio; documented past competition partner with Althaus on Klosterbrühl, indicating very similar project profile and client base.
• Burkhalter Sumi Architekten: Zürich-based Swiss architecture firm of comparable size and scope, with strong practice in residential, renovation, and competition-driven public commissions. Closely comparable mid-sized Swiss firm competing for the same Wettbewerb pool.
• Jordi + Partner AG: Bern-region engineering/planning partner that has collaborated with Althaus on the Wohnheim Rossfeld accessibility housing project; operates in overlapping residential and public-project segments in the same Bern geography.
• Studio Vulkan Architekten: Zürich-based Swiss architecture firm with comparable focus on carefully crafted residential and public projects, often secured through competition. Directly competes in the same Wettbewerb ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• Herzog & de Meuron: Internationally renowned Basel-based architecture firm that competes for the largest Swiss cultural and public commissions (including Kunstmuseum Bern). Acts as a broad incumbent whose presence raises the competitive ceiling for smaller firms.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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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