After honing her skills at the prestigious Architectural Association in London, Elina Safarova returned to her native Tatarstan, Russia, to establish Bespoke Architects. Her practice seamlessly blends modern global design standards with traditional national elements.
Lara Palmer: Tell us about your business.
Elina Safarova: I have always dreamt of having a creative bureau, ever since I was very young. When I walked around my hometown of Kazan, I felt that I could make the courtyards more beautiful and knew how the urban space could be transformed. There was no real start as such — it happened naturally. I was offered a project in the city, and I took it on. Initially, it was a group of four people, and we worked on the project in a co-working space, spending days on end there. After a month, I realised that we needed our own space. I chose the most appealing location in the city and quickly turned it into a small studio, naming it Bespoke.
L.P.: What is the philosophy and mission of your business?
E.S.: Our philosophy and mission are to build high-quality, stylish, functional spaces, popularise art, and make the world more beautiful. We showcase the creativity of Tatarstan’s talents and cultivate a taste for life through architecture and art.
L.P.: What makes an entrepreneur successful?
E.S.: A genuine love for what you do is the most crucial aspect. I believe that speed, a strong visual sense, courage, and the ability to see from different perspectives are all very important.
L.P.: How do you define success in architecture?
E.S.: An architect essentially creates new life scenarios. If people live better, easier, more comfortably, and more pleasantly in this scenario than before, it is undoubtedly a success. It is also the ability to create architecture that ages beautifully — timeless architecture.
L.P.: What advice would you give to someone starting a business in Dubai?
E.S.: Be unique. Each of us has something that only we can contribute. Try to believe in yourself and do what sets you apart — then you will definitely be noticed.
L.P.: What is your favourite motto?
E.S.: True art brings light to our hearts.
L.P.: What projects would you like to work on in the future?
E.S.: I want to work on projects that carry a socially important idea. I would design a Tower of Love or something like that. We want to globalise so that our language and the philosophy of our bureau become a readable design language — so that it is immediately apparent: that is them, the guys from Kazan.