The collective brings together studios, Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects, Kjaer & Richter, and STED City & Landscape, and with the recent acquisition of Hamburg-based Heine Plan, we take our first step beyond Denmark and begin executing an ambitious international growth strategy.
Verka Collective is founded on a collective way of thinking – an ideology built on shared knowledge, mutual reinforcement, and long-term collaboration across independent studios. We believe architecture plays a vital role in addressing the complex challenges facing cities and the built environment. By bringing together independent studios in a multi-brand structure, we strengthen specialist expertise while preserving local identity and close client relationships.
Backed by the German private equity fund Findos, we are building on the conviction that architecture should lead – not follow.
Putting architects in the driver’s seat
Across Europe, many architecture firms have in recent years been absorbed into large engineering or full-service corporations. We represent a different path.
“Verka Collective challenges the trend that has dominated the European architecture industry for the past decade,” says Frants Nielsen. “We put architects back in the driver’s seat as consolidation remains high on the agenda.”
He continues: “If you want to have an impact on tomorrow’s building sector, you need capital, resources, and a much broader set of skills than a small or medium-sized studio can master alone. The risk of placing architecture under engineering firms is that design becomes a service among many. Architecture becomes ‘nice to have’ rather than ‘need to have.’”
CCO, Sonja Stockmarr adds: “We believe in diversity, community, and architecture as the cornerstones of our business model. It is time for architecture to take the lead. We believe that architectural integrity and commercial growth can go hand in hand.”
Growth with purpose
For us, growth is not simply about scale. We are designed to be both large and small at the same time – rooted locally, while operating at European scale.
“We need to be both big and small at the same time,” says Sonja Stockmarr. “We must be small enough to protect local markets and maintain close relationships with our clients, yet large enough to deliver, innovate, and compete with major global companies. By gathering different studios into one collective and sharing resources, we generate opportunities that otherwise wouldn’t have been possible. This is collective thinking translated into a European business model.”
“On the contrary, it’s about having the courage to take responsibility for our joint future,” says Nielsen. “It is about securing the resources needed to solve the complex challenges facing our cities and creating a model where both graduate architects and entrepreneurs can be part of something large and stable. This gives them the platform to win major projects and influence the future of architecture itself.”
With studios across Denmark and Germany – and further expansion planned – Verka Collective is shaping a new model for European architecture: independent in identity, united in ambition, and led by architects.
