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Architectural Activities in Germany - Market Research Report (2015-2030)

David Riemeier David Riemeier Frankfurt, Germany Last Updated: January 2025 WZ M71.11DE

Revenue

€17.2bn

2025

€17.2bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

€X.Xbn

Employees

115k

Businesses

38,204

Wages

€X.Xbn

Architectural Activities in Germany industry analysis

The architectural practice sector, which includes architects, interior designers, landscape architects and urban planners, is in the saturation phase of its life cycle. The main reason for this was the turnaround in interest rates by the European Central Bank in response to the dynamic inflationary trend and the associated stagnating business situation in the construction industry. Turnover in the sector is expected to amount to 17.2 billion euros in 2025. This corresponds to an increase in turnover of 0.2% compared to the previous year, with average annual growth of 2.3% from 2020 to 2025. This development is due to the fact that infrastructure investments have increased and the monthly net income of private households has risen, particularly in the case of higher incomes. This has led to a solid order situation despite the rise in building material costs and the weak development of incoming orders in building construction.A current challenge for the sector is that the number of first-time buyers of residential property has been declining for years due to a lack of equity. Although net household incomes have risen steadily in recent years, ancillary purchase costs are also constantly increasing. In addition, architects are in demand in the field of energy-efficient building refurbishment, which plays a key role in increasing energy efficiency in the European Union. Industry-specific trend topics include smart homes and smart cities, which are intended to enable efficient energy utilisation and an increase in general safety and quality of life through the networking of technologies, devices and systems. The demands on architecture in terms of combining living and working are also likely to change and provide new impetus for the industry.IBISWorld expects industry turnover to increase at an average growth rate of 1.1% per year to 18.2 billion euros by 2030. This is based on the assumption that industry players will successfully exploit the growth potential resulting from the advancing digitalisation. With regard to industry-specific application software, the building information modelling method should be mentioned in particular, which is likely to be an important growth driver for the industry in the future. The increasing use of augmented and virtual reality software will provide additional impetus, as it has the potential to make customer communication much more dynamic, from the design process through to maintenance. In addition, the high level of competition, which is intensified by the legally regulated public procurement law, ensures innovation and creative design solutions, as industry players compete directly with their peers to win attractive projects.

Trends and Insights

  • The European Central Bank's high base rate is reducing the number of new builds. Higher financing costs are making new builds less attractive, which is deterring many people from investing in the construction of their own home.
  • Project management is one of the main activities of architecture firms. This includes team composition and task allocation, defining project milestones, monitoring progress against targets, ongoing budget and schedule control and representing the project to the outside world.
  • The distribution of architectural firms is closely related to the economic strength of the respective region. The high level of economic activity in the southern region therefore ensures a high demand for property and architectural services.
  • The architecture market is highly competitive. In particular, competition for major public contracts is very intense due to the existing procurement law in Germany.

Access hundreds of data points and trends

  • Market estimates from 2015-2030
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2015-2030)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 2.3 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €17.2bn in 2025.

Trends and Insights

The high key interest rate level of the European Central Bank had dampened sales growth in residential construction

  • The ECB had turned away from its low interest rate policy due to high inflation and influenced the interest burden on construction financing by increasing interest rates. As it had become more expensive for banks to refinance their loan offers, the costs were passed on in the form of higher borrowing costs. This then manifested itself in higher borrowing costs for construction financing.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Architectural Activities in Germany
Revenue (2015-2030)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2025-2030)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Smart building technology increases energy efficiency and improves user comfort in the long term

  • In the coming years, the Internet of Things (IoT) will be increasingly used in buildings. Networked sensors, devices and systems can be used to make buildings smarter and more efficient. Examples include automatic climate control, which is optimised depending on room occupancy and weather, or intelligent lighting systems that reduce energy consumption.

Biggest companies in the Architectural Activities in Germany

To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Architectural Activities in Germany
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Project management, Execution and factory planning and Design planning. Project management is the largest segment of the Architectural Activities in Germany.

Trends and Insights

As a central service provided by the architect, project management is crucial to the success of the project

  • Project management is one of the main activities of architecture firms. This includes team composition and task allocation, defining project milestones, monitoring progress against targets, ongoing budget and schedule control and representing the project externally.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

The sector encompasses all activities of architectural firms for building construction, local, regional and national planning as well as garden and landscape design. Interior design services are also included.

What's included in this industry?

Project managementExecution and factory planningDesign planningTendering and award procedureProject managementBuilding consultancy and support

Companies

GMP Generalplanungsgesellschaft mbHBarkow Leibinger Gesellschaft von Architekten mbHSauerbruch Hutton Gesellschaft von Architekten mbH

Purchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

ENERGY TRENDCONSTRUCTIONSMART CITY AND SMART REGIONCAD SYSTEMSBUILDING INFORMATION MODELLING (BIM)

Industry Code

WZ 2008

WZ 71.11 - Architectural Activities in Germany

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

The European Central Bank's high base rate is reducing the number of new builds. Higher financing costs are making new builds less attractive, which is deterring many people ...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
  • Employees, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
  • Businesses, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
  • Profit, including historical (2015-2025)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Project management is one of the main activities of architecture firms. This includes team composition and task allocation, defining project milestones, monitoring progress a...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2025
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2025
  • Major market segmentation in 2025

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

The distribution of architectural firms is closely related to the economic strength of the respective region. The high level of economic activity in the southern region there...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2025

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each region in 2025
  • Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2025
  • Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2025
  • Number and share of employees in each region in 2025

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

The architecture market is highly competitive. In particular, competition for major public contracts is very intense due to the existing procurement law in Germany.

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2020-2025
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

There are no major players in this industry. The four largest architecture firms in Germany together generate less than 5% of the industry's total turnover.

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2021 through 2025
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2025
  • Overview of GMP Generalplanungsgesellschaft mbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
  • Overview of Barkow Leibinger Gesellschaft von Architekten mbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
  • Overview of Sauerbruch Hutton Gesellschaft von Architekten mbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for GMP Generalplanungsgesellschaft mbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Barkow Leibinger Gesellschaft von Architekten mbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Sauerbruch Hutton Gesellschaft von Architekten mbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for one additional company

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

The rise in inflation prompted the European Central Bank to increase the key interest rate in 2022, which had a dampening effect on demand for architectural services. However...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2015-2030) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2015-2030) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

The profit margins between individual architecture firms vary, sometimes considerably, depending on the size of the firm, the scope of the projects, the specialism and the pri...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2015-2030)
  • Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2015-2030)
  • Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2015-2030)
  • Average Wage (2015-2030)
  • Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2015-2030)
  • IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
  • Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
  • Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2015-2030)
  • IVA (2015-2030)
  • Establishments (2015-2030)
  • Enterprises (2015-2030)
  • Employment (2015-2030)
  • Exports (2015-2030)
  • Imports (2015-2030)
  • Wages (2015-2030)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Architectural Activities industry in Germany in 2025?

The market size of the Architectural Activities industry in Germany is €17.2bn in 2025.

How many businesses are there in the Architectural Activities in Germany industry in 2025?

There are 38,204 businesses in the Architectural Activities industry in Germany, which has grown at a CAGR of 1.4 % between 2020 and 2025.

Has the Architectural Activities industry in Germany grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Architectural Activities industry in Germany has been growing at a CAGR of 2.3 % between 2020 and 2025.

What is the forecast growth of the Architectural Activities industry in Germany over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Architectural Activities industry in Germany is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Architectural Activities market in Germany?

The biggest companies operating in the Architectural Activities market in Germany are GMP Generalplanungsgesellschaft mbH, Barkow Leibinger Gesellschaft von Architekten mbH and Sauerbruch Hutton Gesellschaft von Architekten mbH

What does the Architectural Activities in Germany include?

Project management and Execution and factory planning are part of the Architectural Activities industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Architectural Activities in Germany?

The company holding the most market share in Germany is GMP Generalplanungsgesellschaft mbH.

How competitive is the Architectural Activities industry in Germany?

The level of competition is high and steady in the Architectural Activities industry in Germany.

Related Industries

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Competitors

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View all industries in Germany

Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in Germany include:

  • German Federal Statistics Office (Destatis)
  • European Statistics Office (Eurostat)
  • United Nations Comtrade

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.