Design Architect

Description

We are looking for a skilled and creative architect to join our design team within the real estate development business, focusing on boutique hospitality assets.

In this role, you will be responsible for conducting design research, assembling various architectural ideas, and developing sketches, designs, and drawings at different RIBA stages. You should be able to work independently throughout the day, coordinate with the team when needed, and deliver intermediate results weekly. You will report to a project architect (lead) but collaborate with the entire design team, including but not limited to interior designers, CGI artists, the MEP team, structural engineers, the FF&E procurement team, and client representatives.

This role will work more with early design stages. Personal engagement in RIBA 1-3 will be around 75%, RIBA 4-5 supervision and advisory - up to 25%.

Location & collaboration format

This is a fully remote job.

We collaborate in Central European time zone (CET) or UK hours.

Utopia does not provide visa sponsorship and/or relocation package for this position.

Responsibilities

Work on a variety of high-end hospitality projects as a design architect

Conduct feasibility studies, volumetric proposals, area calculations, and land plot analyses as part of the pre-design stage of projects

Interpret the design brief and collaborate with client representatives to achieve the best results

Perform design research and create presentations, mood boards, and reference materials

Generate architectural ideas and sketches, and conduct research on references and mood boards

Execute concept design development, including but not limited to detailed massing proposals and volumetric studies

Develop architectural layouts, optimize ergonomics and circulation, and balance aesthetics, function, and operational aspects

Focus on enhancing the expressiveness of volumetric architectural forms, facades, and free-form designs

Develop volumetric studies into concept layouts, Revit (RVT) models, and foundational inputs for the CGI team

Refine concept layouts through the schematic and detailed design stages

Collaborate closely with in-house structural and MEP teams, as well as the local Architect of Record (AOR), to achieve optimal concept adaptation and spatial coordination, while carefully preserving the initial design intent

Support the FF&E procurement team with quantity calculations, material research, and detailing

Stay up to date with modern trends in the high-end hospitality industry

Research new technologies, materials, and methodologies; conduct investigations and propose innovative solutions

Mentor junior team members, supervise work performed by BIM modelers, and elevate the design department's storytelling and presentation skills

Requirements

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture

7 to 10 years of experience in architectural design

Experience working on low-rise residential and hospitality projects - private homes and villas, hotels and resorts

Excellent communication and presentation skills

Proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD, and SketchUp, or other sketch-oriented presentation software like Rhino, Lumion, or Enscape

Advanced/fluent level of English, both written and verbal

Portfolio is a must

Benefits

Work on projects from concept to realization: contribute across the full architectural journey, from early vision and planning to execution and operational experience

Design with long-term impact: create spaces intended to become globally recognized hospitality destinations

Cross-disciplinary collaboration: work closely with interiors, landscape, construction, operations, and guest experience teams from the earliest stages

Creative influence from the ground up: contribute ideas before projects are locked into rigid systems or external frameworks

Global architectural exposure: work on location-specific projects influenced by diverse cultural, environmental, and hospitality contexts

High design standards: join a team deeply focused on detail, materiality, atmosphere, and timeless hospitality design

End-to-end development insight: gain exposure not only to design, but also to execution, operations, and the realities of luxury hospitality development

Exposure to luxury standards and materials: work with elevated design references, premium finishes, and globally inspired concepts

Influence guest experience through design: contribute to how spaces function emotionally as well as aesthetically