Collaborators
Arcgency
Client
Nordkranen
Location
Papirøen, Copenhagen
Category
Floating architecture
Size
240m2
Timeline
2024-2025
Designed by MAST in collaboration with Arcgency, the two-storey structure is moored beside Papirøen, a former industrial island now redeveloped into a dense neighbourhood of housing and cultural spaces. The building’s exposed Douglas fir frame draws inspiration from the tall timber structures of the 18th and 19th-century shipyards that once lined this stretch of the harbour.
Constructed off-site by Krohns Bådbyggeri — the last active shipyard in central Copenhagen — the building was towed into place by tugboat, allowing it to be installed without disturbing the surrounding site.
The building accommodates a mix of community-focused functions across its two levels. At water level, two guest apartments offer residents of the island a space to host family and friends with direct access to the harbour. A covered terrace and integrated kayak launch provide shared access to the water.
The upper level, aligned with the quay, contains a large communal space overlooking the harbour. Designed as a flexible room for everyday use, it supports a range of practical and social functions — from parcel deliveries and resident meetings to informal events.
The project is part of MAST’s growing portfolio of floating architecture, which includes harbour baths, public islands, and floating housing across Scandinavia and beyond. Like previous projects, it reflects a belief in water as a valuable urban resource and the potential for architecture to create stronger, more meaningful connections to it.








