The DVVD architecture, design and engineering agency was founded in 2005.
Founder and director Daniel Vaniche is a graduate of the Ecole Polytechnique and Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées engineering schools and a DPLG registered architect.
Before founding DVVD, he has worked with Marc Mimram and been involved in design and study work including bridges, cinemas, homes, factories, offices, stadiums or swimming pools for architectes such as Chémétov, Huidobro, Dusapin, Leclerc, Fainsilber, Chémétoff, Clément Geoffroy-Dechaume, Cattani...
His experience both as an architect and an engineer convinced him that bringing these two skills together within a single structure made sense. This is a rare combination in France, where architecture and engineering still tend to be quite separate practices.
Vincent Dominguez, co-founder of DVVD, and Bertrand Potel, managing partner of DVVD, have contributed their experience in engineering, architecture and design right from the earliest days, not only regarding design itself but also in terms of expertise, methods and worksite techniques.
Francisco Valiente, a former partner at DVVD France, is now a partner in the development of DVVD Spain, present in Barcelona and Valencia.
DVVD has constantly expanded over the years and now employs near 40 people in Paris, Barcelona and Algiers.
This development is the reason why a new architecture unit, DVVD’s sister-company, was created in 2011: Daniel Vaniche & Associés aka DVA
The DVA-DVVD team acts as an architect, partner architect, engineering or design firm for project design, structural engineering and the design of facades, envelopes and complex forms, as well as to provide worksite oversight.
Having architects and engineers present within the same organisation is a major asset, facilitating and enriching the interplay between sketch plans and technical feasibility and between concepts and real-life limitations. This dialogue makes it possible to design and develop structures which are both inventive and meticulously executed, with form, function, feasibility, technical considerations, environmental quality and costs brought together to produce a well-rounded project.
Our recent portfolio offers numerous examples of what we do best – working on a daily basis on programmes of every kind, taking up challenges alongside highly reputable partners. We have worked on towers, bridges, stadiums, events venues, cultural facilities, offices and sports facilities – in our capacity as architects or as engineering partners with names such as Nouvel, MVRDV, Béchu, Perrot, Portzamparc, Wilmotte, Stark, Michelin, Maupin, Poitevin, Raynaud, Gigon&Guyer, AUC, Arte Charpentier, Sheehan, Girardet – in France and elsewhere (Algiers, Moscow, Oran, Monaco, Toledo, Shanghai, Rome, Pristina, Baghdad, etc.).
Projects like these also demonstrate our ability to innovate to fulfil demanding environmental, technical and budgetary criteria.
DVVD was shortlisted for the 2007 Equerre d’Argent architectural award, won the Paris Metropolis General Public Award for Contemporary Architecture (2005-2010) in the Public Spaces category, twice the Batiactu Construction and Innovation trophy (2011 and 2013), the Salon d’Automne Architecture Prize (2012), and two A+ Awards in the “Architecture+Mobility” category (2013).