MASA architects

What MASA architects does

MASA architects is a Rotterdam-based boutique architecture, interior, and product design practice founded in 2015 by Hiroki Matsuura and René Sangers. The firm operates with a core staff of approximately six and is built around a stated design philosophy that synthesizes Japanese sensitivity with Dutch pragmatism, treating architecture as an integrated component of urbanism and landscape rather than as an isolated object. Service lines span architectural design, interior design, bespoke product/furniture design, and urban planning and landscape design, often delivered in combination on a single commission. MASA does not develop proprietary software, platforms, or technology products; its intellectual capital is concentrated in design methodology, founder reputation, and an academic/pedagogical network (Matsuura teaches at the Academy of Architecture Amsterdam and Rotterdam Academy of Architecture and Urban Design).

The firm's client base is split between private residential clients, large real estate developers (e.g., KKCG Real Estate, Vi Holding, LSR Group, Sberbank, Skolkovo IC, UTG, Metinvest Group), cultural institutions (Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen), and government/public sector clients (Cities of Rotterdam, Kaohsiung, Tallinn, Paphos, Niel, plus Dutch Railways and the State Tax University of Ukraine). Revenue mechanics follow the standard architectural services model — project-based fees negotiated per commission, with project sizes ranging from small private villas and interiors (e.g., Apartment R, House G) to large multi-building masterplans and cultural complexes (Tushino Triangle: 7,000 dwellings; Metinvest Polytechnic; ASAN 2.0 service center). No public pricing, retainers, or productized offerings are disclosed.

Geographically, MASA operates across at least 11 countries spanning Western Europe (Netherlands, Belgium), Northern Europe (Finland, Estonia), Eastern Europe (Ukraine, Russia, Czech Republic), East Asia (Japan, Taiwan), Southern Europe (Cyprus), and the Caucasus (Azerbaijan). Notable project successes include the Villa West conversion (Architectenweb 'Interior of the Year 2021') and exhibition designs for Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen. The firm's Russia- and Ukraine-linked portfolio has been affected by geopolitical disruption: Matsuura's role on the Skolkovo Foundation Urban Council is paused, while he has simultaneously taken on a master plan consulting role for the post-war reconstruction of Irpin, Ukraine, since 2022.

Name

MASA architects

Legal name

MASA Architects

Website

https://masaarchitects.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

MASA architects is a six-person Rotterdam-based architecture, interior, and product design firm founded in 2015 by Hiroki Matsuura and René Sangers, serving private clients, real estate developers, cultural institutions, and municipalities across Europe, Asia, and the Caucasus.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (54131), Interior Design Services (54141), Landscape Architectural Services (54132)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Interior Design Services (BPAHAKAB), Landscape Architecture & Site Design (BPAHAKAC), Exhibition, Retail & Experiential Design (BPAHAKAL), Architectural Reconfiguration & Structural Alterations (HSAPAEAB)

Keywords

• Architectural design services
• Interior design services
• Urban planning design
• Product design studio
• Sustainable architecture

Headquarters

HQ city

Rotterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

MASA architects is a boutique architecture and design firm providing integrated architecture, interior, and product design services, with supplementary urban planning and landscape design. The firm serves private clients, real estate developers, governments, and cultural institutions through commissioned projects spanning residential, commercial, cultural, educational, and sports sectors across Europe, Asia, and the Caucasus. Their design approach synthesizes architecture, urbanism, and landscape, blending Japanese sensitivity with Dutch pragmatism.

Product overview

MASA architects is an architecture, interior, and product design firm founded in 2015 by Hiroki Matsuura and René Sangers in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The firm offers integrated design services combining architecture, interior design, product design, and urban/landscape planning. Their portfolio spans residential projects (villas, apartments, housing blocks), commercial buildings (offices, retail), cultural venues (museums, restaurants), educational facilities (universities, schools), and sports complexes. The firm is characterized by its blend of Japanese sensitivity and Dutch pragmatism, with projects distributed across the Netherlands, Ukraine, Russia, Finland, Taiwan, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Estonia, Czech Republic, Belgium, and Japan. Notable completed projects include Villa West (Interior of the Year 2021 by Architectenweb), Metinvest Polytechnic University in Mariupol, and various residential towers in Moscow.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Architecture Design Services Full-service architectural design for residential, commercial, cultural, educational, and sports buildings, including renovations and conversions of existing structures. Targets enterprise clients, real estate developers, governments, and institutions.
• Interior Design Services Bespoke interior design services featuring custom furniture elements, material selection, and spatial organization for residential and commercial projects. Targets private clients, hospitality operators, and institutional customers.
• Product Design Services Custom furniture and product design elements created for specific architectural projects, often integrated into interior spaces. Targets clients requiring bespoke design objects.
• Urban Planning and Landscape Design Services Urban planning and landscape design services, treating architecture as an integral part of the environment through synthesis of architecture, urbanism, and landscape. Targets municipalities, large developers, and institutional clients.

Quantifiable outcome

• Villa West project won 'Interior of the Year 2021' from Architectenweb
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers37 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and supporting.

• MADMA urbanism+landscapecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing strategic partnership for landscape design and urbanism integration. Collaborated on multiple projects including Villa West, STU Irpin Ukraine, SML (Senezh Management Lab), CCC+ Block B17, and Kozynka Sceneries. MADMA provides master planning services while MASA handles architectural design.
• Tim Van de VeldeminorOthersPrimary photographer for Villa West and other projects, providing professional photography services for project documentation and portfolio.
• UAT architectssupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal architecture partner for Metinvest Polytechnic University project in Mariupol, Ukraine.
• ABT DelftsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEngineering consultancy providing structural and installation engineering services for projects including Metinvest Polytechnic University.
• ExpolightsupportingTechnology or IntegrationLighting design partner for Metinvest Polytechnic University project.
• Druid Project BureausupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal partner for STU Irpin Ukraine post-war reconstruction project.
• Beloded LandscapingsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal landscaping partner for STU Irpin Ukraine reconstruction project.
• IRS (Irpin Reconstruction Summit)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner for Irpin reconstruction efforts through the Irpin Reconstruction Summit.
• MS architekti s.r.o.supportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal architecture partner for Red Hill Rise project in Prague.
• Ebben NurseriesminorOthersHorticulture supplier for landscape elements in Red Hill Rise project.
• F. Wiggers - VarsseveldsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStructural engineer for House N renovation project in Noordwijk.
• ABT DelftsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStructural engineers for House G barn conversion project.
• Binnenruimte - RotterdamminorOthersWoodwork and furniture craftsmanship for House G project.
• ABT DelftsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStructural engineering partner for Office Building F&I near Maastricht.
• DumofficeminorOthersInterior design partner for Office Building F&I project.
• FlorackminorOthersGarden architecture partner for Office Building F&I project.
• NL architectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture partnership for Sportushino multi-sports center project in Moscow. NL architects collaborated on the design of ice hockey, fitness, and auto sports facilities.
• Public Domain ArchitectencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on ASAN 2.0 state service center project in Azerbaijan. Public Domain Architecten collaborated on the public living room concept and renewable energy showcase design.
• Public Domain ArchitectencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on Khazar-saray facility complex for Khazar University in Baku, Azerbaijan.
• SuGu WarehousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClient and collaborator for Lab-Plant circular economy facility in Rotterdam, working on bio-based future development.
• IMG+minorOthers3D rendering services for Sportushino project.
• OMEGA RenderminorOthers3D rendering services for CCC+ Block B17 project.
• TPO ReservesupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConsulting partner for ZILART block 21 project in Moscow.
• aZonesupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConsulting partner for Urban Villa and Nature Villas projects in Moscow.
• Buro HappoldsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEngineering consultancy for Urban Villa and Nature Villas projects.
• MAXWANcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormer partnership with MAXWAN before MASA was established. Many projects in the portfolio (Red Hill Rise, Aalto University, Albino Alligator, Love Cove, Perforum, NET-WORK, Sportushino, CUMULUS, ASAN 2.0, Khazar-saray, Monolit, Urban Villa, Nature Villas, Nielderhoff, Open City, Reality Machines) were completed while founders were at MAXWAN. MASA continues to collaborate with MAXWAN on some projects.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• MVRDV: Rotterdam-based architecture and urbanism firm with a similarly integrated approach to architecture, urbanism, and landscape. Comparable in Dutch design DNA, international project reach, and use of bold competitions and master plans.
• Mecanoo: Dutch architecture firm with comparable global footprint across education, housing, and cultural projects. Similar MIX of large-scale civic commissions and integration of landscape and urbanism.
• KAAN Architecten: Dutch architecture firm with strong cultural and public-sector portfolio and international delivery via local partners. Directly comparable in scale, typology mix, and design-led positioning.
• Powerhouse Company: Rotterdam/Dutch architecture practice with international cross-border delivery and award-winning cultural and residential projects. Comparable in boutique premium positioning and global project mix.
• UNStudio: Amsterdam-based architecture firm operating globally with a strong design-driven brand and integrated urbanism/interior offerings. Overlaps with MASA in cross-border delivery, cultural and residential typologies, and premium client base.
• ZUS (Zones Urbaines Sensibles): Dutch urbanism and architecture practice emphasising integrated architecture, urbanism, and landscape. Closest philosophical match to MASA's design synthesis, working on civic and residential urbanism.
• Neutelings Riedijk Architecten: Rotterdam-based architecture studio of comparable scale to MASA, with international cultural and residential work. Directly comparable in Dutch design heritage and project typology breadth.

Broad incumbents

• OMA: Iconic Rotterdam-headquartered architecture firm with very broad international portfolio. Far larger scale, but shares the Dutch pragmatism pivot and operates in the same cultural, residential, and educational project classes.
• BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group): Globally scaled architecture firm with strong design brand and competition-led pipeline. Overlaps with MASA in cultural, residential, and educational typologies and award-driven positioning.

Emerging players

• NL Architects: Amsterdam-based architecture firm with overlapping design sensibility and cultural/educational portfolio. Already named as a MASA collaborator on Sportushino; comparable in scale and stylistic adjacency.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/masa-architects

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about MASA architects