Powerlist Creative 30 2023 : Bruno Guélaff, DESIGN DIRECTOR + PARTNER, STUDIO BRUNO GUELAFF + BG GROUP
Bruno Guelaff is the creative director of the BG Group in Dubai, UAE. He is a multi-disciplinary award-winningg designer. Guelaff, a Frenchman born in New York City, attended Lycée Français de New York before earning a bachelor’s degree in sociology in the United States. After four years of studies at NYSID, he discovered his niche. Guelaff was the first recipient of the B.F. A. Travel Prize, which enabled him to travel the world, stopping in 15 countries and over 22 cities, an experience that influenced his design flair greatly. Guelaff has spent the last 14 years as the design director of the award-winning boutique firm studio Bruno guelaff’.
He has been heavily involved in all aspects of each project, from architecture to lighting, landscape design, furniture design, and branding. As a multi-disciplinary doyen, Guelaff ensures that all design elements culminate in a completely 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 “The spaces we have the honour of crafting influence the way people will live in those spaces,” with a sociology backbone. 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,” he feels.
He felt something was 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 conceptualisation.
BG Villas was created organically when Guélaff and Khalid Kaluti’s professional paths crossed in Dubai some years ago. Both Bruno and Khalid quickly realised after being each other’s clients that combining their award winning specialities could lead to something unique.
The mission was to establish a transparent and honest Design + Build construction company capable of providing not only the highest quality construction services for residential villas, including pools and landscaping but also award-winning design services, giving its clients an unparalleled experience and end product.
BG Group offers a complete full turnkey service that includes architecture, interior design, home automation, MEP, pools, landscaping, and lighting, as well as 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.
“It is my privilege to be able to design a true home for each of our patrons, understand their cultural backgrounds, understand the way they interact with their family members, the way they interact with food, the way they interact with media, and then translate that onto paper into a fluid personalised architectural layout representing the way they experience the world around them,” Guelaff says of the design process.
Following the roaring success of the model BG Villa in Pearl Jumeirah, which received numerous accolades and architectural editorial features, the BG Group brings its latest editions to Al Wasl Dubai. Located in a freehold community in the heart of the city, with majestic views of Downtown Dubai and the Burj Khalifa, just steps away from all the city’s sights and beaches. The multiunit luxury development Al Wasl Boutique Villas is already under construction. The Al Wasl neighbourhood is in the heart of Dubai, just minutes from the downtown area and the iconic Burj Khalifa.
The area is a vibrant space that is adjacent to City Walk and Central Park by Meeras and benefits from its proximity to Dubai’s beachside as well as business and entertainment areas. The 23,000sqft units all have expansive basement areas with multiple landscaped lightwells, master bedrooms with private gardens, 25-me long ‘Maldives’ turquoise overflow pools, and full entertainment rooftops to take in the full glory of the Burj Khalifa. Al Wasl Boutique Villas allows you to truly experience modern life in the heart of this one-of-a-kind city.
Guelaff anticipates the future exclusive development projects that BG is spearheading with eagerness and excitement, as he and his partners continue their quest to break barriers and set new standards for Design + Build.