MALIAKAI
DESIGN
ABOUT
MALIAKAI: ma-lee-ah-ky
For nearly three decades, Maliakai Design has partnered with clients to create restaurants, hospitality destinations, retail environments, commercial spaces, adaptive reuse projects, and custom homes throughout Colorado and beyond. Founded in 2005, our reputation has been built on thoughtful design, lasting client relationships, and creating places people remember.
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Exceptional architecture does more than solve problems—it shapes how people experience a place. It influences how they gather, connect, work, celebrate, and create lasting memories. Whether designing a destination restaurant, an inspiring workplace, or a custom residence, our goal is to create environments that enrich everyday life through thoughtful, timeless design.
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Based in Boulder, Colorado, Maliakai Design specializes in hospitality, commercial, adaptive reuse, and residential architecture. Our work spans projects throughout the United States and select international locations, transforming ideas into functional, enduring environments that are deeply connected to the people who use them.
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We believe every project deserves its own identity. Rather than following a predetermined style, we allow each design to emerge from the character of the site, the client's vision, and the unique opportunities every project presents. The result is architecture that feels authentic, timeless, and uniquely suited to its purpose.
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Hospitality is at the heart of our practice. We understand that successful restaurants, gathering places, entertainment venues, and retail environments must seamlessly balance guest experience, operational efficiency, and brand identity.
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We believe the most successful projects are built on lasting relationships. Many of our clients continue to partner with us as their businesses grow, trusting us to design new destinations, evolve existing spaces, and bring each new vision to life. Our long-standing collaboration with acclaimed Chef Hosea Rosenberg has resulted in five restaurant projects, while repeat partnerships with clients including Illegal Pete's and Stio reflect the trust our clients place in us and our commitment to helping successful brands grow through thoughtful design.
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Our services span every phase of the design process—from feasibility studies and planning to architecture, interior design, permitting, construction documentation, and construction administration. We collaborate closely with engineers, landscape architects, lighting designers, kitchen consultants, and contractors to ensure every detail is thoughtfully resolved.
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Attention to detail is the foundation of everything we do. We carefully consider circulation, natural light, materials, craftsmanship, and the countless decisions that shape how a space feels and functions. Great design is never accidental—it is the result of thoughtful collaboration, careful listening, and an uncompromising commitment to quality.
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Designing Places People Remember.
OUR TEAM
Marc Shen is the Founder and Principal of Maliakai Design. Born and raised in Los Gatos, California, Marc was introduced to architecture at an early age while working alongside his father, who owned a successful architectural practice in Sunnyvale. Those early experiences sparked a lifelong passion for thoughtful design and the built environment.
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Marc graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Colorado Boulder with a Bachelor of Environmental Design in Architecture. Over the past 27 years, he has designed hospitality, restaurant, commercial, adaptive reuse, and residential projects throughout the United States and on select international commissions.
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Known for his collaborative approach and meticulous attention to detail, Marc believes great architecture is created by understanding how people experience a space. His work balances aesthetics, functionality, and the unique goals of each client to create environments that are both timeless and memorable.
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Outside the studio, Marc draws inspiration from an active outdoor lifestyle. Whether surfing, kiteboarding, snowboarding, mountain biking, or traveling in search of new experiences, he is continually influenced by the landscapes, cultures, and architecture he encounters. That spirit of exploration and curiosity is reflected in every project Maliakai Design undertakes.
