Anton LARSEN PAYá, Intl. Assoc. AIA

AIA International Regional Representative - Rwanda

Principal, MASS Design Group

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Anton's journey in sustainable architecture and urban planning spans over a decade, reflecting his dedication to social and environmental justice and his belief in the power of inclusive collaboration to create spaces that serve the needs and aspirations of communities. 

As a Principal at MASS Design Group's Africa Studio, Anton embraces the disciplinary and cultural diversity of the teams he leads across multiple countries. Since joining MASS in 2017, he has curated an extensive portfolio of transformative projects spanning education, heritage, conservation, entrepreneurship, and affordable housing domains. 

Anton's accomplishments include the revitalization of the historic site Norrsken Kigali House, Africa's largest entrepreneurial hub, which won the prestigious 2023 Monocle Design Award for Best Business Campus. He also led the design of the climate-positive campus for the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture, which was named 2024 Overall Winner by the Commonwealth Association of Architects for Environmental Impact. 

As an EDGE Expert and AIA International Associate, Anton champions sustainable design within MASS and beyond. His work on the Strategic Environmental Assessment of Rwanda’s Urbanization Policy has shaped sustainable urban development. Anton's involvement in the Volcanoes Community Resilience Program exemplifies his ability to blend community development with sustainability.