Bruno Guelaff is a multi-disciplinary award-winning designer and the creative director of the BG Group in Dubai, UAE. Guelaff, a Frenchman born in New York City, spent his early educational years at Lycée Français de New York before earning a US bachelor’s degree in sociology. His niche was revealed after four years of studies at NYSID. Guelaff was the first recipient of the B.F. A. Travel Prize, which allowed him to travel the world, stopping in 15 countries and over 22 cities, an experience that greatly influenced his design flair. Guelaff has been the design director of the award-winning boutique firm studio Bruno guelaff’ for the past 14 years. He has played a heavy role in all aspects of every project from architecture to lighting, to landscape, furniture design and branding. Guelaff, as a multi-disciplinary doyen, ensures that all design elements culminate in a complete fluid personalised project

At the end of the day, it all comes down to emotions; emotions when we design + emotions when we live within the design,” explains Guelaff.

Guelaff’s design philosophy has always been based on his sociology background: “The spaces we have the honour of crafting influence the way people will live in those spaces.” At the end of the day, it’s all about emotions: emotions when we design and emotions when people interact in physical spaces. We shape how people interact with others and influence their daily lives through design,” says Guelaff.

When looking at the studio’s design work, words like minimalist, warm, practical, serene, and sustainable come to mind. “The pandemic’s challenges highlighted the importance of personal space and its design.” What surrounds us influences how we feel and, ultimately, who we are, so keeping the design pure is critical.

Guelaff felt there was something missing in the equation of the typical project process from conception to realisation over the years. There was a lack of fluidity in work ownership during the construction process, which is common when a large number of consultants are involved.

The concept of master of all trades needed to be extended to project execution as well as conceptualization. Bruno Guélaff and Khalid Kaluti’s professional paths crossed in Dubai a few years ago, and BG Villas was born. After becoming each other’s clients, Bruno and Khalid quickly realised that combining their award-winning specialities could result in something truly unique.

In 2005, Kaluti founded Better Gardens for pools + landscapes. Soon it won numerous awards and quickly became the leading company in its field. Over the years Better Gardens successfully com- pleted hundreds of landscaping projects and naturally expanded into implementing interiors and kitchens. With such a range of construction and leadership experience, his next venture BG Villas in partnership with Guélaff is surely impacting the UAE Design + Build scene.

The mission was to create a transparent and honest Design + Build construction company that could offer not only the highest quality construction services for residential villas including pools and landscaping but also award‐winning design services providing its clients with an unparalleled experience as well as the end product.

Trust + integrity, professionalism + honesty; that is what sets aside our practice. Breaking barriers + setting new standards for Design + Build,” Guelaff says.

The group was only truly complete when Simon Dzeletovic entered the picture to establish and lead BG Smart under the tagline “all connected.” Dzeletovic has over 16 years of experience in the field of home automation and private cinema integration.

He has pioneered systems that keep us “all connected,” but he is taking it a step further by pursuing true sustainability and integrating all of our senses by incorporating ‘smart’ MEP systems into audible solutions. ‘Making it work’ is an apt description of his dedication to his craft.

BG Group provides a true full turnkey service for every aspect of a singular residential villa project, including architecture, interior design, home automation, MEP, pools, landscaping, lighting, and the Luxury Italian kitchen brand Pedini. Designers, architects, engineers, site team leaders, and craftsmen make up the award-winning team. As a result, the BG team provides fluid communication and services, allowing a project to be streamlined from start to finish while controlling all aspects of quality and attention to detail.

Creating BG Group with my partners has given me the opportunity of not only designing unique projects but also bringing them to life, personally being part of each detail of building someone’s dream and bringing a boutique quality not only to design but to the entire build process has been my privilege,” Guelaff says.

Guelaff’s love of his craft has driven him to “always keep challenging yourself and the industry around you, setting the standards and pushing the boundaries.” “Being recognised is an honour and a humbling experience that should pique our interest in pursuing the next challenge while we all strive for a little bit of perfection,” signs off Guelaff.