Resorting to human scale

Exclusivity can go often be examined in two, distinctively different paradigms, and a lot of it has to do with scale. It can range from epic in grandeur, built on a scale designed to inspire awe and reverent reflection, or it can be small and intimate, built for the enjoyment of one, in secluded privacy and peace. They are not mutually exclusive, this range of options, as the awe-inspiring structure can have intimate spaces and the intimate spaces can have awe-inspiring details, but that is sort of where we start.

One of the more interesting things to have come out of dealing with the chaos of the pandemic, has been the renewed interest in more intimate, boutique projects. Designed on a smaller in scale, not merely as a consequence of outside forces such as budget or space, but as a strategy for a more intimate level of experience.

There is value in simplicity, especially in times of uncertainty, so it seems reasonable that we might look to retreats that can offer us a relief from the monotony of our own surroundings, without the cacophony of stimulus from the outside world. We need to get away, but we don’t wish to be assaulted by sensory overload. We seek comfort, but we still wish to be stimulated. We desire intimacy, but we are wary of contact. 

At DAS, our experience has led us from private cottages to high-rise towers and back again, but the one constant has always been how to create experiences that can be felt on a human scale. We are constantly searching for design solutions that allow us to enhance the experience of the individual. Boutique projects allow us to focus more intently on that paradigm. 

As our collective future remains in flux, we find more and more opportunities for innovation by working on a smaller scale, as developers experiment with maintaining more control, by giving us greater freedom in smaller spaces. The boutique project may one day become the model for the epic destination, but for now it provides the opportunity to evaluate and endless array of options, in our pursuit of memorable experiences.

We are constantly looking to surprise and delight, both our clients and their guests, and sometimes playing in a smaller pool, gives us the creative freedom to do just that. Plus, it’s fun.