Architect

BOUTIQUE HOUSE + CAFE — DESIGN DIRECTION & EXPERIENCE

Boutique House is intended for young people with a strong sense of aesthetics and the ability to spend, who appreciate architecture, design, coffee, food, art, and more personal, considered experiences.

They are not necessarily looking for luxury in the traditional sense. They are already familiar with beautiful spaces and good service, so what makes them choose a place is not simply how luxurious it feels, but its aesthetic sensibility, emotional quality, quality, and distinct identity.

1. Calm, but alive

Boutique House should create a sense of peace, lightness, and breathing room. Its sense of calm should not come from leaving spaces empty or applying minimalism mechanically, but from proportion, natural light, materials, landscape, and the way spaces transition into one another.

At the same time, Boutique House should not become overly quiet, cold, or retreat-like. It should have the gentle sense of life and energy of a house being lived in — from the café, conversations, workshops, and dining to the private moments within each room.

2. Premium, but never ostentatious

Boutique House should have a genuinely premium feel, but it should not rely on conventional expressions of luxury.

A sense of quality should come through:

• proportion and composition
• material selection
• furniture quality
• lighting
• craftsmanship
• detailing
• level of finish
• consistency throughout the space

This does not mean using expensive materials or furniture everywhere.

We value intentional choices and knowing where to invest, rather than using expensive materials simply to create a sense of luxury.

A simple material, when carefully selected, combined, and executed, can feel more refined than an expensive material that is overused.

High quality and carefully considered, rather than expensive simply for the sake of appearing luxurious.

3. Warm, but never rustic

We are drawn to warmth created through light, wood, texture, greenery, natural materials, and the sense of people living within the space.

However, we do not want this warmth to lead toward a rustic, farmhouse, or overly raw aesthetic.

The warmth should remain within a language that is refined, contemporary, and mature, rather than relying on excessive handcrafted materials, decorative objects, or nostalgic details.

4. Considered, with depth

Boutique House does not need a large number of details to feel distinctive.

We prefer spaces that are restrained, breathable, and visually uncluttered, where every element has a reason for being there and has been carefully selected.

The goal is not minimalism, but restraint with depth.

The space can be simple, but it should never feel monotonous or inexpensive.

5. Contemporary, but never trend-driven

Boutique House should appeal to young, design-conscious guests with the ability to spend, but it should not try to appear young through trendy colours, shapes, or details.

We want a space that feels contemporary, natural, and enduring — somewhere younger guests feel is made for them, while retaining its aesthetic value for many years.

6. Distinctive, but never overly stylized

Boutique House should have a clear enough identity to be remembered, but that identity should not come from overly strong statements or details designed simply to make an impression.

We prefer elements that allow guests to discover the beauty of the space gradually, rather than a space that constantly tries to create wow moments.

Overall, Boutique House should feel

Calm, but alive.

Refined, but never sterile.

Premium, but never ostentatious.

Warm, but never rustic.

Considered, but never over-designed.

Calm and Quiet Luxury.

Boutique House is a contemporary boutique house — intimate, refined, and full of life — with the quality and care of high-end hospitality, but without the formality or conventional luxury aesthetic of a hotel.

Premium should come through proportion, materiality, craftsmanship, comfort, and thoughtful detailing — not through expensive materials used simply to create a sense of luxury.

Alive should come from people, natural light, greenery, movement, and everyday activities — not from visual busyness or excessive decoration.

The café and brunch are integral parts of the house, not separate commercial spaces added onto it. The café should have enough character and energy to attract both staying guests and outside visitors, while remaining coherent with the calm and refined character of Boutique House.

KEY REQUIREMENT - PROVEN COMPLETED PROJECTS

Applicants must have completed architectural projects that can be demonstrated through a portfolio.

PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENT

Please do not submit a portfolio consisting only of conceptual renders.

Applicants should provide at least completed projects that they personally worked on.

Description of your role in each completed project

At least one project should ideally be hospitality, boutique accommodation, restaurant/café or a comparable high-end residential project.

Completed-project photographs are strongly preferred.