BsB Group

https://bsbgroup.com/

2020

BSBG is founded 

BSBG was established in Dubai as a boutique architectural design practice in 1976. The practice, at that time known as Brewer Smith Brewer Gulf, was located in an office space overlooking Dubai Creek, and from there began providing design solutions for clients in the UAE and MENA region. Dubai was on the cusp of a dynamic and ambitious construction programme that would span decades, and propel the city towards its current status as one of the world’s leading destinations for business and tourism. However, the first project designed at the practice was for neighbouring emirate, Sharjah - the historically significant Marbella Club. The project has since been renamed as the Marbella Resort, but remains enduringly popular, renowned for its uniquely quintessential Andalusian architecture and beautifully landscaped grounds.

Sheikh Saeed’s Black Palace delivered

BSBG designed the private palace of Emirati royal family member, Sheikh Saeed bin Hasher Al Maktoum, in 1983. The private residence, known as the Black Palace, is a luxurious property set within expansive private grounds in close proximity to Umm Suquiem in Dubai.

World-renowned design of Emirates Golf Club completed

In 1988, the BSBG-designed Emirates Golf Club opened. The emblematic buildings that feature across the complex are designed to resemble a group of traditional Bedouin tents, in tribute to the rich culture of the United Arab Emirates. The facilities at Emirates Golf Club are renowned the world over, and have regularly hosted legends of the game, from the late Severiano Ballesteros, to modern greats including Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.

Home created for Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS)

Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS) engaged BSBG to develop its original school complex on a large plot of land in Jumeirah, Dubai. The British curriculum school, which today is attended by more than 2,000 students aged between 3 and 18 years of age, is one of the few non-profit schools in Dubai, and one of the most esteemed early education facilities in the emirate.

A new direction under Managing Partner Alistair McMillan

Alistair McMillan assumed leadership of BSBG in 1995, with aspirations of developing the practice into a dynamic, technically astute architectural practice, capable of designing and delivering large scale construction projects; the kind earmarked at that time as pivotal components to the successful development of Dubai.

Learn more about Alistair

Kevin Harper joins to lead the design and delivery of large-scale projects

Partner Kevin Harper joined BSBG in 2003, and has since taken the lead on many of the outstanding projects within the BSBG portfolio. Kevin assumed the role of Project Director on Bluewaters Residences, and is currently overseeing the teams working on the prestigious The Island project in Dubai.

Learn more about Kevin

A second expert discipline is introduced – Structural Engineering

BSBG’s engineering division is created, enabling the practice to provide full building design and structural solutions on projects.

Read more about BSBG Engineering

Andrew Bereza arrives from Australia

Andrew Bereza landed in Dubai from Sydney, Australia, in 2006 as a Senior Engineer. He was quickly installed as a Lead Engineer, with the pinnacle of this role coming when he took control of flagship project The Beach as Project Director. By July 2014 he had become a Partner in the company, leading global operations and business development.

Find out more about Andrew

Delivery of the UAE’s first IKEA

IKEA was introduced to the UAE with its store in Dubai Festival City. BSBG worked to deliver the project, which also includes a large-scale atrium space and a Hyper Panda store, for Al Futtaim Group.

Visit the IKEA project page

Nick Turbott comes onboard

Partner Nick Turbott joined BSBG in 2007 as a Lead Architect, working to deliver projects such as Addax Tower in the City of Lights, Abu Dhabi. His role now involves working with BSBG’s international clients, both in Dubai and overseas, ensuring smooth project delivery.

Discover more on Nick

BSBG’s interior design studio is founded

BSBG established a presence in interior design in 2007, and since that time the size of the studio has grown dramatically, along with the scale and number of projects. BSBG's interior design portfolio is extensive, with key projects in the hospitality, commercial, mixed-use, retail and residential sectors.

Read more about BSBG Interior Design

A new project becomes the new BSBG Headquarters 

BSBG won an international competition to design and deliver Dutco House for long term partner and client, Dutco Group. The building is especially significant for BSBG, as the project represented the first time the practice provided full service, multidisciplinary solutions with which it is renowned today. Architecture, structural engineering and interior design services were all undertaken on Dutco House, and upon completion Managing Partner Alistair McMillan took the decision to move the company into two floors of the building, where the Headquarters remains to this day.

Associate Director Chris Brown joins

In 2008, BSBG Associate Director Chris Brown (MCIAT) joined with the company, bringing with him a wealth of technical expertise and technological knowledge. He has since been instrumental in the international expansion of the group, and in ensuring the BSBG standards of design and delivery are implemented across continents.

Learn more about Chris

Demetrios Tourtouras begins ascent to Associate Director 

Demetri Tourtouras joined BSBG in 2008. His attention to detail and project leadership helped to establish BSBG as one of the leading design and delivery architects in the Middle East.

Find out more about DT

A return to Emirates Golf Club

More than 20 years after its initial design was completed, BSBG was invited to return to Emirates Golf Club to modernise the entire complex and provide a contemporary refurbishment to key areas. 

Visit the project page to learn more

Scott Orwin arrives

Scott Orwin joined BSBG in 2012, coming with a reputation for overseeing some of the largest projects in the Middle East at that time, guiding the early stage design stages, and on towards completion – a role he now fulfils on numerous projects as a Partner.

Learn more about Scott

The Beach provides the blueprint

The Beach was completed in 2014; a much beloved and enduringly popular urban beachfront destination in Dubai. The impact of The Beach is such that many subsequent urban realm projects in Dubai identifiably reference the original scheme of the project as the basis of design.

Discover more about The Beach

The Matrix is delivered 

Taking its cue from European Modernist architecture, but adding a dynamic and contemporary language of design, imposing concrete skyscraper The Matrix was completed in 2014.

Visit The Matrix project page

BSBG reaches 100 staff 

The journey from boutique level practice to a large international architectural group hit another milestone in 2015, as BSBG employed its 100th member of staff. Buoyed by success on a number of high-profile projects and having recently been engaged on some exciting large new developments, a recruitment drive began. Meanwhile, plans were also put in place for an international expansion that would bring the unique BSBG proposition to new territories.

The icon of sustainable architecture is delivered

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Headquarters is a building that sets the standard in sustainable design and delivery of architecture. Located in Masdar City, the Estidama 4 Pearl-rated building achieves a 70% reduction in water requirements in comparison with similar office developments, and also produces no solid or liquid waste.

Learn more about BSBG's sustainability expertise

A beacon of light is introduced in Abu Dhabi

Within The City of Lights on Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi, the 60-storey Addax Tower was delivered by BSBG in its role as executive architect. The impressive skyscraper was completed under a Design & Build contract with contractor Multiplex.

Visit the Addax Tower project page

Repton School comes to the UAE

The first phase of prestigious UK educational facility, Repton School, was designed and delivered by BSBG in 2015. The school is located on Al Reem Island in Abu Dhabi, and it is especially unique in terms of school design as it is driven vertically - an approach largely dictated by a confined GFA.

Find out more about Repton School

Work begins on ICD Brookfield Place 

Ground was broken on prestigious commercial development ICD Brookfield Place. The 53-storey tower was designed by Foster + Partners, with BSBG the lead consultant and executive architect.

Discover more on ICD Brookfield Place

The rebrand - BSBG takes the first step to becoming international

As a Dubai-based architecture firm, the BSBG acronym for 40 years had stood for Brewer Smith Brewer Gulf. However, an international reputation was growing, as were the number of overseas projects. And so ‘Gulf’ became ‘Group’, a new logo was created, and the first tangible moves were made towards evolving into the internationally revered Brewer Smith Brewer Group of today.

BSBG celebrates 40th anniversary

BSBG’s 40th year was hugely significant for the group, and was marked by a celebration with clients, partners and colleagues over a two-day event and exhibition at The Ritz-Carlton hotel in DIFC, Dubai. The event was commemorated by the release of an exclusive limited edition book, ‘40:40’, which documented 40 moments over 40 years, as well as telling the story of the journey from humble beginnings in Dubai Creek to becoming one of the key architectural groups in the Middle East over the course of four decades.

An award-winning BSBG design is unveiled 

BSBG-designed office building, The Edge, opened and was quickly recognised for its innovative and eye-catching design. The building’s standout presence in Dubai Internet City ensured it received two International Property Awards for its design - one for Best Office Architecture in Dubai, and the second for Best Office Development in Dubai. 

Learn more about The Edge

BSBG establishes first international office in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Managing Partner Alistair McMillan made the decision to establish the first of the group’s overseas offices in the vibrant Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. From the capital city BSBG is ideally positioned to offer its high-end design and first-class executive architecture to the South East Asia market, where activity in construction continues to increase at a rapid pace. The number of staff in the office grew at a similarly rapid pace, as 25 people joined within the first 12 months.

Director of Construction Jamie Armitage arrives to lead projects on site

Jamie Armitage joined the group to lead the construction supervision and project management teams, working on more than a dozen sites across the world. His experience in international arbitration and technical supervision, particularly as the group expands into new territories, continues to prove invaluable to successful project delivery.

Find out more about Jamie

BSBG’s London office is launched

The group’s international expansion continued with a new UK office opening in London. Immediately upon establishment, the group was engaged by London + Regional Hotels (L+R Hotels) to deliver two hugely prestigious hotel refurbishment projects in the UK’s capital.

Construction begins on BSBG-designed Banyan Tree Residences - Hillside Dubai

The award-winning design of BSBG’s Banyan Tree Residences - Hillside Dubai entered the construction phase in 2017. The design focuses on high-end luxury finishes within a private complex, with health and wellness initiatives at its very heart.

Visit the Banyan Tree Residences - Hillside Dubai project page 

Work begins on Dorchester Collection hotel in Business Bay 

The intricate Foster + Partners design of the dual tower Dorchester Collection hotel development moved to the construction phase on early 2018. BSBG is the lead consultant, coordinating and managing delivery of the project.

Visit the project page

 

Highly anticipated Bluewaters Residences delivered

Designed by 10 Design for developer Meraas, BSBG’s work as executive architect and lead consultant results in the successful delivery of one of Dubai’s iconic new residential developments. Located on the man-made island of Bluewaters, the residential component is comprised of 10 low-rise apartments blocks containing 698 units, and 17 beachfront townhouses.

Discover Bluewaters Residences

Work starts on Green Park Hotel in London

BSBG began work on a highly complex renovation of the prestigious Green Park Hotel in London. Working for client London + Regional Hotels (L+R Hotels), one of BSBG’s first roles was to rationalise the extent of demolition and excavation required, reducing this by 70%.

Learn more about Green Park Hotel

The Opus by Zaha Hadid is officially unveiled

BSBG’s capabilities in project delivery, and reputation as the leading ‘development of design intent’ architect, led to the group working alongside Zaha Hadid Architects to deliver the design of The Opus. The complexity of the building’s iconic design that is the hallmark of Hadid’s body of work was matched by the engineering and construction challenges, all of which were overcome as BSBG delivered the shell and core for developer Omniyat in early 2019.

Discover more on The Opus

An award-winning BSBG hotel design is introduced to Dubai

In early 2019, the BSBG-designed Aloft City Centre Deira opened its doors. The hotel targets the modern-day tourist and traveller, who prizes technology and convenience above high-end luxury. The hotel received an International Property Award for Best Hotel Architecture in Dubai just months after its opening.

Learn more about the project

BSBG’s BLVD Crescent hands over to Emaar

BLVD Crescent reached handover point mid-way through 2019; a residential development that marked the first collaboration between BSBG and Emaar, one of the UAE’s leading property developers. Featuring dual towers of contrasting heights, BLVD Crescent is located on the exclusive Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard in Downtown Dubai.

Visit the BLVD Crescent project page

BSBG begins work on Nobu hotel in Portman Square London

BSBG started work on the renovation of the Portman Square Radisson Blu hotel, tasked with leading the project and coordinating its transformation into a high-end Nobu branded hotel.

Find out more about the project

The Dubai Mall Zabeel Expansion opens to the public 

A second BSBG project for which Emaar was the building owner was delivered in 2019 – a large scale expansion to one of the world’s largest and renowned shopping malls – the Dubai Mall. BSBG produced the concept design and worked as lead consultant during delivery of the project.

Discover the Zabeel project

5-star JA Lake View Hotel welcomes its first guests 

The BSBG-designed JA Lake View Hotel reached completion in the final quarter of 2019, introducing a design narrative with aspirations of forging an identifiable connection between the indoors and outdoors, a recurrent feature of the design.

Read more about JA Lake View Hotel

Work begins on The Island in Dubai

Enabling works began on iconic project, The Island. BSBG is tasked with delivering The Island, an offshore 10.5 ha man-made island which will feature hotels by Las Vegas stalwarts MGM, Bellagio and Aria.

Visit the project page

BSBG reaches 200 staff internationally

During 2019, more than 200 staff across three continents were working together to design and deliver architecture for clients across the world. Both the London and Ho Chi Minh City offices continued to expand in numbers, while in Dubai large-scale projects were secured, leading to new opportunities for talented and highly driven architects.

Michael Lewis joins as Group Design Director 

Michael Lewis, renowned throughout the Middle East for his involvement in some of the more thoughtful and intelligent architectural design, joined BSBG in early 2019 as Group Design Director.

Learn more about Michael

 

BSBG reveals design of exclusive wellness resort SHA Emirates

Led by Group Design Director Michael Lewis, BSBG's +studio design hub unveiled its design of world-renowned health and wellness clinic SHA; a new resort in the UAE that captures the essence of wellbing and nature.  

Learn more about SHA Emirates