About

Maya Shapiro is an urban anthropologist working at the intersection of social science and spatial design. She studies how built environments shape everyday life, and how lived experience should inform architectural strategy.

She is currently the Social Impact & Co-creation Lead at Henning Larsen in Copenhagen. Her work brings cultural context and qualitative insight into large-scale design processes.

She translates in-depth research and user engagement into practical strategies for inclusion, social sustainability, and meaningful spatial experience.

Maya works closely with communities to uncover the social dynamics of place. Her projects range from exploring how teenage girls navigate urban mental health to examining perceptions of climate resilience and how diverse spaces foster a sense of ownership.

She holds an M.Sc. in Spatial Designs and Society from Roskilde University and a B.A. in Anthropology and Art History from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Her work is grounded in the belief that strong architecture begins with a deep understanding of people.

Maya collaborates with Fieldnotes & Finds to co-develop and lead urban architecture tours and workshops from anthropological and social perspectives, examining how people shape spaces and how those spaces in turn shape everyday lives, habits, and values.