MARKUS DOCHANTSCHI

Founder and Principal, studioMDA

Markus Dochantschi is a German-American architect and the founder and principal of studioMDA, a New York–based multidisciplinary design firm established in 2002. Recognized for his work in art and cultural spaces, he has designed more than 40 galleries and over 200 international art booths and exhibitions, alongside residential, commercial, and institutional projects.

Dochantschi studied architecture in Darmstadt, Germany, earning his Master of Architecture degree in 1995. Supported by a DAAD scholarship, he worked in Tokyo with Arata Isozaki and Tom Heneghan and was subsequently invited to work with Fumihiko Maki. From 1995 to 2002, he worked at Zaha Hadid Architects, where he ran the London office and contributed to major international projects, including the Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati and the Bergisel Ski Jump in Innsbruck.

Since founding studioMDA, Dochantschi has established a strong presence in the international art world, designing spaces for leading galleries including Bortolami, Anton Kern, Lisson Gallery, David Nolan, Kasmin, and Nahmad Contemporary. His architectural approach is characterized by a sensitivity to proportion, light, and spatial flexibility, combining minimalist design with functionality.

Beyond his architectural practice, Dochantschi has maintained an active role in architectural education. He co-taught an Advanced Studio at Yale University with Zaha Hadid, Stefan Behnisch, and Gerald Hines, served as Director of the Global Cities Architecture Program at Columbia GSAPP from 2013 to 2015, and taught as an Adjunct Professor from 2008 to 2017. He has also lectured at institutions including Harvard University, Princeton University, ETH Zurich, and the Architectural Association in London.