Say hi to Lærke, Þórný, and Ren …
Please help us give a warm welcome to Lærke, Þórný, and Ren as they join our Copenhagen office as interns for AW ’26.
Lærke Thorup Barfod is studying Urban Landscape Engineering at the University of Copenhagen’s Forest and Landscape College in Gribskov in collaboration with Zealand Academy. She also holds a BA in Design from The Kolding School of Design.
Lærke’s interest in landscape architecture stems from a lifelong fascination with the relationship between people and nature. Growing up, she was strongly influenced by her grandfather, who is a biologist, and ignited her curiosity about plants, ecosystems, and biodiversity.
“As cities adapt to climate change and biodiversity challenges, I see landscape architecture as an increasingly important field. What excites me most is the growing shift towards integrating nature as a fundamental part of how we design cities, rather than treating it as an addition. I believe the profession has a unique ability to bring together ecological, technical, and human considerations to create places that are both resilient and meaningful,” Lærke explains.
Lærke applied for an internship at MASU Planning because she was drawn by our ability to combine aesthetics, biodiversity and climate adaptation in coherent solutions.
During her internship she will contribute perspectives from her background in Urban Landscape Engineer, particularly within planting design, vegetation, urban ecology, and the technical aspects of establishing and maintaining green environments, across some of our ongoing projects.
When she is not studying, she is always working on creative projects, and enjoys diving into ceramics, sewing, knitting, furniture restoration, interior design, and various DIY building projects.
“I am drawn to activities where I can work with my hands and follow a creative process from idea to finished result. I also run a small business selling knitting patterns, which allows me to combine creativity with entrepreneurship and encourage others to create themselves. I also enjoy gardening, cooking and exploring different landscapes through hiking, road trips and foraging. Experiencing a variety of landscapes and ecosystems has become one of my favourite ways of finding inspiration both personally and professionally.”
Þórný Vaka originates from Iceland and is currently finishing her master’s degree in landscape architecture at the Oslo School of Architecture and Design, as a continuation her bachelor’s degree from the Agricultural University of Iceland.
She chose to study landscape architecture because it combines natural sciences with her interest in art and design, and because she believes the profession plays an important role in addressing current societal challenges.
“One of the things that makes landscape architecture unique is that it can sometimes go unnoticed while still having a huge impact on our everyday lives. It is such a broad field, working across different scales and allowing for many different approaches. At the same time, it has an important role to play in some of the challenges we are facing today, particularly when it comes to sustainability and how we design and adapt our cities to a changing climate,” says Þórný, continuing, “I also find it interesting that landscape architecture can bring together many different people and perspectives through design. It can create spaces that encourage people to meet, move through, spend time in and connect with their surroundings.”
She chose to become an intern at MASU Planning because she wanted to dive deeper into our approach and learn how our projects are developed in practice.
“I think MASU Planning is doing very interesting work, and I’m especially interested in the reuse of existing materials in their projects, such as paving, and in how surface materials can be used as a subtle way of guiding people through space. I’m also fascinated by the strategic use of planting and how it is developed in conversation with surrounding façades and surfaces. There is something very intentional and reduced about the design in MASU’s projects that I find really appealing,” she explains.
Her upbringing in an Icelandic farming environment not only shaped her choice of education but has also influenced how she spends her spare time. “Outside of work, I really enjoy spending time in nature, whether that’s going for a hike or a run. I think being outdoors is a big part of what keeps me inspired and connected to the landscapes around me. I also really enjoy growing things and cooking or baking with what I’ve grown,” she explains, while smilingly acknowledging that the last part can be difficult when you don’t have a garden.
Ren Liu holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Taiwan and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in architecture at the Royal Danish Academy.
Ren moved to Copenhagen because of his interest in Nordic culture and design, drawn to the Danish human-centred approach, where architects and planners not only design spaces but also engage with social issues and local communities.
“As I explored the Danish capital, I was particularly inspired by the Climate Courtyards designed by MASU Planning. These projects demonstrate how stormwater can be managed through small-scale interventions within dense, historic urban environments. These strategies are highly relevant not only to Denmark but also to rapidly urbanising and climate-vulnerable cities around the world,” Ren explains when asked why he has joined MASU Planning and deliberately chose a landscape architecture practice for his internship.
“Having lived in several cities since childhood, I have always been fascinated by how different built environments shape people’s daily lives, emotions, and ways of interacting. I chose architecture as my field of study to explore this curiosity further. Throughout my studies, I realised that many of our current urban challenges, such as climate injustice and the lack of quality public spaces, cannot be solved by individuals alone. They require collective effort and shared visions. This is why I find landscape architecture particularly inspiring. It has a public and open nature, with an emphasis on dialogue and participation.”
Ren’s appreciation of the great outdoors also extends to his spare time, where he enjoys running and hiking. These outdoor activities allow him to understand different landscapes and places through direct experience. At home, besides spending time with his cat, he enjoys drawing with various media — experimenting with oil pastels being his latest pursuit.
