Creative Architect / Destination Concept Designer – Family Entertainment & Lifestyle Destination

Job Type: Freelance / Project-Based
Field: Creative Architecture, Placemaking, Entertainment, Leisure & Destination Design

About the Assignment

We are seeking a highly creative Architect / Destination Concept Designer to develop the concept for a new semi-permanent family entertainment and lifestyle destination.

The project will combine family entertainment, F&B, retail, events, attractions and social spaces within a distinctive outdoor / semi-outdoor environment.

We are looking for someone who can think beyond conventional architecture and create the identity and experience of the destination itself—how it looks, feels, operates and evolves over time.

The concept should be visually memorable, commercially practical and suitable for modular, lightweight and semi-permanent construction. This is an early-stage creative and architectural concept role, not a detailed technical-design assignment.

Scope of Work

The selected designer will be expected to:

• Research successful regional and international entertainment, lifestyle, market and seasonal destination concepts.

• Develop the overall creative vision, architectural concept and design language.

• Develop the conceptual master plan, zoning and visitor circulation strategy.

• Create the arrival experience, destination gateway and key visual anchors.

• Plan the relationship between family entertainment, attractions, F&B, retail, kiosks, events, children's areas, social spaces, landscaping and back-of-house functions.

• Create districts, streets, plazas or experience zones with distinct character.

• Develop concepts for modular kiosks, retail units, F&B structures, pavilions and flexible event spaces.

• Develop architectural features, installations and landmarks that support a strong destination identity.

• Consider climate, shading, nighttime use, lighting, outdoor comfort and landscape integration.

• Allow for seasonal changes, temporary installations and future expansion.

• Balance creativity, guest experience, commercial potential, operational practicality and buildability.

Semi-Permanent Design Approach

The concept may explore modular and prefabricated structures, lightweight construction, containers where appropriate, demountable structures, shade canopies, pavilions, pop-up retail/F&B units and interchangeable façade elements.

The objective is to create a destination that feels permanent and immersive while remaining adaptable and capable of evolving between seasons.

Expected Deliverables

Deliverables may include:

• Benchmark and precedent study.

• Overall destination concept and narrative.

• Mood boards and visual direction.

• Concept master plan and functional zoning.

• Visitor journey and circulation diagrams.

• Architectural massing and spatial studies.

• District / zone concepts.

• Architectural design language.

• Concept designs for kiosks, pavilions and key structures.

• Arrival / entrance concept.

• Public-realm and landscape direction.

• Material, colour and lighting direction.

• Preliminary area schedules.

• 3D concept views and key perspectives.

• Overall concept-design presentation.

Preferred Experience

Relevant experience may include entertainment and leisure destinations, seasonal destinations, family entertainment, F&B and lifestyle projects, pop-up developments, outdoor markets, theme parks, hospitality, retail environments, placemaking, event architecture or modular architecture.

Experience with GCC projects and designing destinations for hot climates and strong nighttime activity would be particularly valuable.

Required Skills

• Creative Architecture

• Concept Design

• Destination Design

• Placemaking

• Master Planning

• Entertainment / Experience Design

• Spatial Planning

• Architectural Massing

• Public Realm Design

• Modular Architecture

• Retail / F&B Planning

• Visitor Journey Design

• Architectural Visualization

• Creative Direction

• 3D Modelling

Application Requirements

Please provide:

• Portfolio of relevant architectural, entertainment, hospitality, retail or destination projects.

• Examples demonstrating concept creation, not only detailed architectural execution.

• Master plans, sketches, diagrams and 3D concepts where available.

• Your specific role in each project.

• Software proficiency.

• Availability and proposed project or hourly fee.

We are particularly interested in designers who can start with a blank site and create a destination people would want to visit, explore, photograph and return to.