Our Purpose is to deliver an excellent and unrivalled level of service by going ‘the extra mile’ for all our clients. We aim to make a difference by providing high quality and outstanding professional architectural services, creating empowerment through design.
In 2017, we were delighted to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the practice and in order to showcase this 40 year period and provide a sample of the projects completed, social gatherings, office study trips as well as previous and current staff, we commissioned an animated retrospective. Click below to watch the video:
What is your favourite building?
The Wallace Monument, Stirling
This is Mark’s favourite building as he’s a native of Stirling and the structure invokes memories of his birthplace whilst being iconic and a cultural landmark. It has an honesty he admires and invokes a passionate response fuelled by his love for the film Braveheart…unfortunately for Mark, unlike Sir William Wallace, he’s vertically challenged!
What is your favourite building?
Sydney Opera House, Sydney
Michael’s favourite building is the Sydney Opera House which he visited at the end of his second year at university. He had seen photos in magazines and books and thought like a lot of ‘famous’ buildings that the photos had made it look better than in real life. He was wrong! He wasn’t civilised enough to go in so he can’t comment on the interior!
What is your favourite building?
The Fondazione Querini Stampalia
The Fondazione Querini Stampalia is a cultural institution in Venice founded in 1869 at the behest of the last descendant of the Venetian Querini Stampalia family. Architect Carlo Scarpa designed the interior, exterior, garden elements and spaces on the ground floor between 1961 – 63. This is his favourite building because the attention to detail shown by the architect and the craftsmanship is second to none – and because the bar opposite sells Aperol Spritz by the pint!
What is your favourite building?
La Congiunta Museum, Giornico
I’ve been fond of this stark and inhospitable little building since discovering it during my formative years at University. A small museum set within a dramatic mountain landscape, the exterior of this building gives nothing away. A lack of ‘footery bits’ and a reliance on fundamental principles of light and texture gives the building an honesty which is pretty appealing, as well as the fact that concrete is always cool despite what public opinion might suggest!
What is your favourite building?
Fallingwater, South West Pennsylvania
Alan’s favourite building is Frank Lloyd Wrights ‘Fallingwater’. He was fortunate enough to visit it in the flesh and it did not disappoint! Alan likes the simplicity, how it sits within the site and landscape and how the slender structure seems to defy gravity. Alan believes he uses the same concept on all the new housing he designs!
What is your favourite building?
SkiBox
Natasha’s favourite building is SkiBox in Andes, Chile by dRN Arquitectos. Sitting proudly at 3000m altitude, it makes the most out of the beautiful landscape it sits in. “This little building shows that there is no excuse not to have a good architecture; I just need to find a way to go and see it for myself. Skiing in Chile…sounds all right.”
What is your favourite building?
Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Humlebaek, Denmark
Designed by Jorgen Bo and Wilhelm Wohlert, I enjoy the discreet modernist style of the building and been lucky enough to visit on a few occasions and each time admire the subdued pallet of timber, glass and brick which act as a backdrop to the landscape. The building was an extension of the original villa and has been extended numerous times since opening, however, each addition nestles into the terrain and maintains the beautiful views out to the surrounding woodland, landscape garden and sea.
What is your favourite building?
The Variety Bar, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow
Housed at the foot of a 4-storey blond sandstone Glasgow tenement block sits the Variety Bar. The original frontage no longer exists, however the fantastic proportioned large plate display windows now partly darkened give hints of the depths within. David believes the building is best viewed on a winter’s Friday night, from within (with a pint in your hand).
What is your favourite building?
The Burrell Collection, Glasgow
The Architect’s competition entry for the building placed it on the edge of the available site, with its back wall against woodland. The combination of the top lit gallery spaces, the artefacts and the relationship of the gallery spaces to the woods is magical. The building is rugged and has withstood the test of time, just like Matthew’s beard!
What is your favourite building?
The Barcelona Pavilion
This was one of the first buildings Marie-Claire studied and she finds there’s something calming about it from the way the plan is so structured and the use of water and stone. It was her favourite place to go to escape the bustle of the city when she lived in Barcelona as it’s not busy with tourists all year round and holds lots of good memories for her.
What is your favourite building?
Hill House, Helensburgh
James’s favourite building is Charles Rennie Mackintosh ‘Hill House’.
James likes the fusion of architectural styles present in the design, from Arts & Crafts, to Scottish Baronial, and the hints of Japonisme.
As close a complete design as any Architect can achieve, Mackintosh’s influence can be experienced in every aspect of the building…an approach that James aims to bring to his own works!
What is your favourite building?
Camphill Gate Tenement
I’ve always been fond of Glasgow tenements and this is the only one I’ve ever lived in but that’s not what makes it special. This one is (almost) unique in that it has flat roof at the top of its five storeys which is accessible to residents and has great views over the city and nearby Queens Park.
What’s your favourite building?
Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA), Richard Murphy Architects
The DCA combines several key features that align with Misa’s architectural interests such as the adaptive reuse of an existing warehouse and the relationship between internal and external spaces, leading to the creation of a well utilised and successful public space. The building becomes an important part of the streetscape, with the entrance positioned in line with South Tay St, allowing views straight through the building and opening it up to the public realm. (Also, it does the best cocktails).
What’s your favourite building?
Lauren’s favourite buildings can be found nestled into the landscape of Scottish countryside. She loves the simplicity of the rural vernacular form and enjoys seeing how their use has evolved from a basic form of shelter for families and their animals, to contemporary homes suited to modern day living. Lauren hopes to one day design her own home and would love to give a new lease of life to a derelict steading or an old cottage while responding to and remaining respectful of the buildings historic heritage.
The Lloyds building in London by Richard Rogers & Partners is my favourite building.
When I first visited this building as a teenager my mind was blown by the simplicity of its inside-out concept combined with its futuristic aesthetic and modular detailing.
It has since become the youngest building to be granted a Grade 1 listing and no trip to London for me is complete without a quick visit.
What is your favourite building?
Central Perk Coffee House, New York
Holly’s favourite building can be found on the TV series FRIENDS, where her favourite fictional characters can be found drinking hot coffee and having a good gossip. Holly could easily discuss the intricate details of the building, however, she is more interested in what is being discussed round the coffee table.
What is your favourite building?
Rabbit Snare Gorge Cabin, Nova Scotia
Rachel’s favourite building is the Rabbit Snare Gorge Cabin found in Nova Scotia. Designed by Omar Gandhi and Design Base 8, the building stands tall amongst the rugged landscape. Rachel likes how outrageous and unique it is and the architects obviously had fun designing it. She has been asking to go for a visit for research purposes but to no avail, persistence is key however!
What’s your favourite building?
Neues Museum, Berlin.
Calum’s favourite building was originally completed in 1859, destroyed during the Second World War, and reopened in 2009 following a meticulous restoration process. Modern additions connect what remains of the existing fabric, and each layer of history is quietly yet clearly defined. The building is best visited in early January- followed by a cup of Glühwein outside Nikolaikirche- for the full bleakly beautiful Berlin experience.
Whats your favourite building?
Kielder Observatory, Northumberland
David’s favourite building sits at the peak of Black Fell in Kielder Forest, a site picked due to its position under some of the darkest skies in the UK. The building combines David’s interests in architecture and fascination with space. The elegantly restrained forms and subtly detailed timber exterior belie the high-tech equipment housed inside, which are only revealed when elements of the building rotate and open up – in a very Thunderbirds-like way.
What is your favourite building?
Café Gerbeaud, Vorosmarty, Hungary
Eilidh has been lucky enough to have visited different countries on MAST office trips, but a highlight is a memorable coffee shop which we visited on our Budapest trip in 2001 – Café Gerbeaud, Vorosmarty, Hungary. A much needed pit stop in the freezing cold for their hot chocolate, cakes and beer was required. Eilidh also enjoyed the architecture – those were the days!
Our team is complete with talented architectural assistants and technicians that share our Practice values and, regardless of their position, contribute significantly to support our clients and the delivery of successful projects.
We welcome applications from talented students, graduates and experienced professionals with an interest in housing and community projects. We believe strongly in the development of our staff and promote training & CPD events. We have a history of employing architecture graduates and supporting them as they work towards their professional qualifications. We operate a practice pension scheme and aim where possible to pay an annual bonus, provide good holiday entitlement & regular staff nights out.
If you are interested in working with us, please send CVs with examples of your work to :
applications@mastarchitects.co.uk
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MAST Architects adhere to the technology and data principles outlined as part of Cyber Essentials accreditation. We are an equal opportunities employer.
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Personal Growth / Career Opportunities |
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Planet Friendly |
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Cycle / Travel to work scheme |
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Strong CPD and Training programme |
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Income Protection / Death in Service Cover |
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Social Committee with annual funding |
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Transparent Working Practices |
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Generous Holiday Allowance |
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Flexible family friendly |
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Low emission pool cars |
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Part 3 additional holiday entitlement and exam costs |
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Mobile Phone (Selected Staff) |
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Fresh Fruit |
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Charity Fundraising Events |
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Company Pension Scheme |
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Professional subscriptions / membership |
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Dress down Fridays |
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Annual bonus payments |
Sustainability underpins every aspect of our approach. We aim to set a standard for the future, one founded on mindful energy use and people-centred needs. From affordable heating and breathing wall construction to innovative construction techniques, we work closely with our clients to create healthy buildings that make a positive impact on the lives of their occupants.
Our commitment to sustainability is embedded in our company culture. It shapes how we work, source materials and even travel to the work. Our office sustainability policy ensures we specify green and fair trade products, conserve energy and promote a cycle to work scheme. Our team are always looking for new ways to achieve a status of superior sustainability.
