DOTY 2026 Best Residential Design (Landed – Gold): Matthew Lim Associates – The Collector’s House

This Mediterranean-inspired clubhouse in Klang Valley designed by Matthew Lim Associates was first featured in Designer Concept Issue 90.

POETIC HOSPITALITY

Explore a Mediterranean-inspired clubhouse where art, gastronomy and architecture converge to celebrate hosting, togetherness and the pleasure of lingering.

Imagined as a private entertainment clubhouse, The Collector’s House is an unconventional but intimate retreat that redefines the idea of leisure as a sumptuous, unhurried experience. It sits adjacent to a family home, yet operates as a sanctuary with its own world, specifically designed for hosting, gathering and quiet indulgence. Over here, gastronomy, art and community intersect within a space that feels both cultivated and personal. While Mediterranean architecture serves as inspiration, the design resists literal replication. Instead, it distils the region’s core principles—timeless proportion, tactile materiality and the poetic interplay of light and shadow—through a contemporary architectural lens.

Regarding the project’s spatial planning, it unfurls as a finely curated sequence of social experiences. Each zone—the art gallery, family lounge, private omakase dining room, bar lounge, wine cellar and cigar room—possesses a distinct atmosphere, yet remains visually and materially connected to the whole. Guest rooms and family spaces are intertwined seamlessly into the layout, allowing the clubhouse to function not only as a destination for entertaining but as an extension of the home itself. Movement through the space feels intuitive, guided by subtle shifts in scale, light and texture rather than overt partitions.

Soft arches, curved walls and layered ceiling forms inject the impression of rhythm and fluidity, reflecting Mediterranean sensibilities that celebrate warmth, craftsmanship and timeless proportion through a modern architectural perspective. Natural stone, timber, lime-plastered surfaces, woven textures and warm metals make up the irresistibly earth-toned palette that establishes a soothing setting. This material restraint allows bespoke textured furnishings and curated artworks to step into the limelight without visual competition.

In the main living area, a Roche Bobois Mah Jong sofa upholstered in the iconic Jean Paul Gaultier couture fabric introduces an explosion of expressive pattern, amplified in conjunction with the hanging rug made by local artist Rinko Lim with a similar colour scheme. Neutral furnishings like Norr 11’s Studio Sofa and Nomad Chair, Cubism coffee table and the Bolia Mielo armchair maintain visual calm. A King Living Jasper coffee table in travertine stone stands as the sole decorative decadence, its organic veining imbuing quiet visual interest without introducing colour. Meanwhile, the dining area is regarded as the project’s social anchor. Custom pendant lights hover above the dining table, casting a warm glow over ash-wood braided rope chairs and leatherette bar stools.

Adjacent to this space, the art gallery adopts a more contemplative tone, with artworks by Malaysian artist Awang Damit Ahmad as well as Picasso auction pieces and Mickivader sculptures, further defined by generous wall proportions, controlled lighting and a restrained material backdrop. Speaking of which, lighting is treated as an architectural element—subtle, indirect and atmospheric—additionally enhancing the intimacy of the space. What transpires is a refined yet relaxed environment, where moments of social interaction coexist effortlessly with private reflection.

Crowning the whole experience is the Cirque du Soleil-inspired art installation by artist James Seet, titled ‘The Whimsical Magic’. The suspended sculptural clouds and playful acrobatic figures introduce a dreamlike sense of movement and the theatricality of a live show, infusing the clubhouse with imagination and delight. Moreover, exquisite floral compositions by Zahuohang are delicately woven throughout the space. At the entryway, branches rise from a large white vessel, capturing the movement of wind.

Luxurious objects appear all throughout the property in hushed whispers rather than loud declarations. Each one was selected for its design integrity instead of its esteemed name, allowing refinement to blend seamlessly into the background. Hermès pieces—Sellier armchairs, a Matières daybed and Les Trotteuses occasional tables—sit with quiet confidence, while a Louis Vuitton Courrier Lozine 110 trunk rests unobtrusively in a corner. St Louis crystal, including a seemingly weightless chess set, is showcased with the relaxed informality of ordinary items.

Fundamentally speaking, The Collector’s House champions the spirit of togetherness, where architecture becomes a quiet facilitator of memory-making. Mediterranean-influenced yet unmistakably contemporary, with the addition of refined deco styling by Lee Sin Artisan, the retreat invites its occupants to embrace leisure as a meaningful, artful way of living. Prioritising entertainment over daily domestic activities, its design moves beyond familiar typologies, resulting in a sophisticated space that invites lingering rather than routine.

About the Designer of the Year Awards and Best Residential Design

The Designer of the Year Award (DOTY) aspires to discover and honour the exceptional works of talented designers from Malaysia and beyond. It sets the benchmark of excellence in design and is committed to championing them in architecture and interior.

The theme of DOTY 2026, “Celebrating Design Intelligence”, highlights how design has evolved beyond mere aesthetics to encompass functionality and sustainability, where user experience, environmentally-friendly materials and technology integration are essential to well-being and efficiency.

Designers who have transformed mere houses into ultimate dream homes through their ingenuity and attention to detail are awarded Best Residential Design. Their projects, which are either landed or high-rise, are featured in Designer Concept.

Visit doty.com.my for more information.