Welcome to our studio
MAST is based in one of Copenhagen’s last working shipyards, a place where design, experimentation, and construction happen side by side. Surrounded by boatbuilders, maritime engineers, and craftspeople, our waterfront studio is more than an office; it’s a workshop, a testing ground, and a constant source of inspiration.
Here, we prototype ideas at full scale, experiment with materials, and refine details in real-world conditions. This hands-on environment shapes our way of working: open, collaborative, and driven by iteration, where each project is informed by direct engagement with the water.
Our work spans masterplanning, architecture, landscape design, and research, but our ambition remains constant; to reconnect cities and communities with the sea. Whether we are shaping entire waterfront districts or developing floating structures in our workshop, we approach every project with the same belief: that living with water offers extraordinary possibilities for the future of our cities.
At MAST, sharing ideas and fostering collaboration is at the heart of our work. We believe the most successful places are created in true co-creation with clients, stakeholders, and communities — drawing on diverse perspectives to deliver meaningful, resilient solutions.
Our commitment to knowledge exchange extends well beyond our own projects. We contribute to books and publications, deliver talks and lectures, and take part in public conversations about the future of living with water. By integrating the latest research into our designs — and sharing our own insights openly — we aim to spark innovation, strengthen collaboration, and help shape a more sustainable relationship between cities and the water that surrounds them.
our story
MAST was founded by two sailors and architects, Magnus Maarbjerg and Marshall Blecher. Having travelled widely by sea, we have witnessed first-hand how the relationship between cities and their waterways is changing and how often that connection is neglected, undervalued, or lost.
We chose to base our practice in Copenhagen, a city that has undergone one of the most ambitious waterfront transformations in the world. Here, we have played an integral role in the harbour’s evolution from a closed industrial port into a thriving public space introducing floating houses, public swimming facilities, and new ways of accessing and enjoying the water.
Our experience has shown us that the revitalisation of urban waterways is not only possible, but transformative for communities, for the environment, and for the identity of a city. We founded MAST to help other cities unlock this same potential, creating resilient, adaptive, and inspiring places where people and water meet.
Honours & Awards
MAST’s work has been recognised for its contribution to innovation, sustainability, and design excellence in the built environment. Our projects have been featured in international publications including Dezeen, Wallpaper, Domus, and The Guardian.
Taipei International Design Award
/ 2022
Danish Arts Foundation Project grant
/ 2020
Kong Rans Fort Invited Competition
/ 2020
Danish Design Awards, Liveable Cities shortlist
/ 2020
Berlingske “Byens Bedste” shortlist
/ 2019
Taipei International Design Award, Best Social Design
/ 2018
Taipei International Design Award, Best Public Space
/ 2018
Beazley Design of the Year Award finalist
/ 2018
Surface magazine travel Award finalist
/ 2018
