“The way a person lives their life with their family should always dictate the way the layout and structure of a home is imagined,” states Bruno Guelaff, founder of Dubai-based studio bruno guelaff. “Family life comes first and not the ego of the architect.”
Guelaff’s studio was commissioned to design the family home of Khalid Kaluti in its entirety, from the architecture to the interior design and landscaping. The 21,000-square foot villa is set on a 10,549-square foot plot on Pearl Jumeirah, adjacent to the beach. The brief called for a modern design that balanced natural light and privacy, while ensuring as much connection to the surrounding seascape as possible.
Kaluti is a long-term entrepreneur who has owned and operated businesses for over 25 years, ranging from upscale restaurants in Washington DC to retail and contracting in Dubai.
“Khalid’s wishes were very simple,” says Guelaff. “He wanted a bridge-like opening over the lower basement areas, allowing direct interaction with the living spaces, rejecting the typical foyer arrival or double-height spaces. We therefore created a simple arrival into a multipurpose living area, with a view to the outdoor pool as well as a customisable open kitchen. Due to the expansive main area, smart structural design was imperative to make sure the architecture matched the clients’ brief.”
Visitors are first greeted by a sleek bridge which hovers over the courtyard below, allowing for a dynamic arrival to the villa. The large open spaces exude minimalism and aim to bring the family together, whether in the kitchen or the areas for lounging.
Denne historien er fra November 2020-utgaven av Identity.
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Denne historien er fra November 2020-utgaven av Identity.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Breaking the mould
A collision of forces has given birth to a new project called The Great Design Disaster. Led by a passionate duo – interior architect Gregory Gatserelia and design enthusiast Joy Herro – its aim is nothing short of shaking up the traditional boundaries of the contemporary design market. identity catches up with Herro to learn more.
A taste for luxury
Häcker Kitchens is on a mission to 'disrupt the kitchen industry' in the Middle East
An Italian affair
An exclusive collection by online retail platform Artemest has been curated by Dubai-based interior designer and founder of Styled Habitat, Rabah Saeid, and combines Italian handcrafted pieces inspired by cosy nights in.
At the nexus of design and function
Casamia is home to truly contemporary kitchens for lovers of elegance and understated style
DESIGN FOCUS: A FEAST FOR THE EYES
As a place for everything from cooking and eating to entertaining and gathering with family and friends, the kitchen is the heart of any home. It can be a space that invites creativity as well, not only with food but also with design. Contemporary or traditional, urban-inspired or with a countryside feel, adorned with neutral colours or noble materials, bespoke or modular: there are many options to reflect your own style.
Contemporary heritage
Launched just a few months ago, new brand and gallery Don Tanani revives the past with a contemporary eye, through objects that are at the crossroads of design and art
Distant voices
The voices of 4000 Lebanese citizens have travelled to the Venice Architecture Biennale as part of Beirut-based architecture and design duo T SAKHI’s installation, ‘Letters from Beirut’. With the hope of fostering dialogue and honouring the Lebanese community, the installation shares narratives in the wake of the city’s ongoing reconstruction following the explosion in Beirut on 4 August last year.
An urban legacy
A new book chronicling Sharjah’s modern urban landscape offers a wide-ranging view of the UAE’s third-largest city
WEEKEND LIFESTYLE
This Sydney home achieves harmony through the perfect balance of proportions, materials and colours
A labour of love
The House of Today platform has supported emerging design talent and students in Lebanon for nearly a decade. Today, in the face of ongoing challenges, their efforts remain as solid as ever.
