DFZ Architekten

Nicolas Britsch, born in Hamburg in 1968, studied architecture at the Academy of Fine Arts in Hamburg. In addition to running various private projects, he has been working as project manager for Dinse Feest Zurl Architects since 1999. In 2006 and 2007 he gathered his first experience of lecturing at Dresden University for Applied Sciences. Together with Peter Dinse, Johann Zurl and Stephen Kausch he became a managing partner of DFZ Generalplaner GmbH in 2012, taking on the same role for DFZ Architekts GmbH following its establishment in 2013. In addition to leading and supervising various studies, design and construction projects, he is currently heavily focused on business planning and corporate governance.

Born in Hamburg in 1945, Peter Dinse completed a three year craftsman apprenticeship before going on to study architecture at the University of Applied Sciences in Hamburg. After graduating at the Technical University of Berlin, he opted for self-employment and formed a partnership with Isabell Feest, thus laying the foundations for today's DFZ Architects. Alongside Johann Zurl, Nicolas Britsch and Stephen Kausch, he is Managing Partner of DFZ Generalplaner GmbH, founded in 2012. Under this same leadership, DFZ Architekten GmbH was established in 2013.
With his many years of experience in architecture and construction, Peter Dinse is an invaluable asset to DFZ Architects, providing clients with innovative ideas and expertise, particularly in the area of ​​reconstruction and modernization of historic buildings. Today he continues to play a very active role in projects, leading them from start to completion and enhancing them with his highly distinctive style.
As well as giving lectures at several universities and talking at events, Peter is also editor of the book ‘Denkmalpflege kreativ' (Creative Conservation of Historic Buildings), published by Gudberg in 2007.

Stephen Kausch, born in Peine 1968, studied architecture at the Muthesius Academy of Art and Design in Kiel. As well as freelancing as a photographer and architect, he gained further valuable experience over several years at a reputed landscape architecture firm. He has been employed by Dinse Feest Zurl Architects since 2003 and since then has significantly influenced the face of architecture, in terms of both form and content. In 2012, he joined forces with Peter Dinse, Johann Zurl and Nicolas Britsch as managing partner of DFZ Generalplaner GmbH and took on the same role for DFZ Architekten GmbH, following its establishment in 2013. His main areas of responsibility include the supervision and support of all client acquisition and design activities, as well as human resources planning.

Johann Zurl, born in Graz in 1958, studied architecture at the University of Graz before going on to study painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. He completed this degree at the Academy of Fine Arts in Hamburg. After working as a freelancer for firms me di um, APB and Schweger & Partners, he went on to work with Ulrich Zeiger between 1987 and 1989. Together with Isabell Feest and Peter Dinse he founded Dinse Feest Zurl Architects in 1991. Between 1993 and 1997 he was a member of the ‘Art in Public Spaces’ Commission in Hamburg. From 2009 to 2010 he lectured as a visiting professor at the HafenCity University of Hamburg and from 2012 to 2014 was a member of Hamburg’s Historic Buildings Council. In 2012, alongside Peter Dinse, Nicolas Britsch and Stephen Kausch, Johann Zurl became a managing partner of DFZ Generalplaner GmbH, taking on the same role for DFZ Architekten GmbH after its establishment in 2013. His primary focus is in project management and the artistic direction of demanding and complex construction projects.