Sarah Guirguis Founded in 2012, GAF Design Studio effortlessly, and rather naturally, stands out in the world of landscaping, architectural and interior design. If you’re familiar with their work, you will quickly come to the conclusion that this international award-winning studio certainly lives up to its caliber. We talked to the founder, Ahmed Gabr, to learn more about his backstory and work mindset.
How did you start your journey and when did you decide that you wanted architecture and design to be your career path?
Before switching to architecture, I was a mechanical engineering student for a whole year until I had to help a friend out with his university work and projects due to an accident he had been in. He was an architecture student and I couldn’t help but instantly discover the passion I had for the field then. That’s when I decided to switch majors, amid worries from the people in my life who thought I wouldn’t be able to make it by myself because of how difficult architecture generally is – not to mention the competitiveness of the field and the fact that I had no architects in my family.
Although I can’t claim that the following five years were easy, I still really enjoyed the process and realized as I went that this is really what I’ve wanted to do all along – I really loved the creativity factor in this field. Additionally, many professors believed in my talent and always recommended me to intern in big architecture offices and companies since freshman year. And it only went up from there!
How did GAF Design Studio come to life?
Everybody was pushing me to apply for work in the big names in the market upon completing my studies, because for them, it seemed like the obvious thing to do. However, the way I saw it was that I learned a lot and gained enough experience and knowledge throughout my five years of architecture and training. So for me, it was the right time to start my own firm.
Yet again, not many people were convinced due to the common challenges within the field and the fact that the profit was never guaranteed, since, in the end, we’re selling intangible ideas before anything else. Also, putting a price on them and guaranteeing their success from the start isn’t the easiest thing in the world. That being said, I still decided to take a step forward and finally open up my own firm – GAF Design Studio. It started with working on projects and designing homes for my friends who gave me the time and space to get creative and bring my ideas to life. I ended up turning a friend’s family house into a small villa with a nice rooftop. From there, the clients just kept coming.
What inspires your designs?
Definitely my clients. I like to personalize their spaces as much as possible to the point that I sometimes imagine myself in their shoes. I study their characters and learn about their wants and needs in order to create and design a unique place that suits them, gives them a sense of belonging and accommodates their souls perfectly. Watching their reactions when the final design is completed brings me indescribable joy.
Which were your favorite projects to work on?
In all honesty, I often say that my favorite project is the next one. I’m usually keen on giving my all to each and every project I work on. And every time I think a project is my favorite, I remember that the next one is, without a doubt, going to be better until the one after comes up.
Talk to us about your awards. Do they motivate you and push you to do even better?
The very first award will always be the closest to my heart, the International Property Award. When I got nominated, I didn’t think I was going to win but when I did, I started wanting more because I love competition. For me, awards are proof that my hard work has paid off in the end. I’m always happy to win awards but as soon as I receive one, I usually forget about it a little to start thinking about the next one and working towards it.
Any upcoming projects you’re working on?
We’re currently working on renovating a palace in Korba, Heliopolis; it’s a challenging project that I’m really excited about. Also, ever since we worked on a dental center, we’ve been approached to work on other medical centers and hospitals.
