At Downtown Design Dubai 2025, Buccellati is transforming the exhibition floor into a serene, sculptural world, thanks to an extraordinary collaboration with Beirut-born design duo David Raffoul and Nicolas Moussallem. The acclaimed david/nicolas studio envisioned the exhibiting space as two interlocking shells — organic, radial forms converging in a central living area, crafted from layered wooden and mirrored panels. Walking through the exhibit, visitors are invited to experience Buccellati’s silverware like treasures in a jewel box, set against a soft, desert-inspired palette that harmonizes with the surrounding space.
For this interview, BURO caught up with David and Nicolas to explore the story behind the collaboration, the inspiration that shaped the immersive environment, and the delicate interplay between heritage, craft, and modern design that defines the space. From the sculptural tables displaying iconic silverware collections to the intimate central salon designed for quiet conversation, the duo reveals how they translated Buccellati’s timeless values into a contemporary, contemplative landscape.
YOUR EXHIBIT IS BUILT AROUND THE IDEA OF TWO INTERLOCKING SHELLS, POETIC, SCULPTURAL, AND METAPHORICAL. IF BUCCELLATI WERE A SEASHELL, WHAT RARE TREASURE WOULD WE FIND HIDDEN INSIDE ITS PEARL?
If Buccellati were a seashell, I think you’d find a light that feels both ancient and new inside its pearl — something that captures time, memory, and craft all at once. That’s what we tried to translate into the space, a sense of discovery that feels precious but also alive.
BUCCELLATI IS SYNONYMOUS WITH HERITAGE, WHILE YOUR DESIGN LANGUAGE IS ROOTED IN NOSTALGIC FUTURISM. HOW DID YOU STRIKE THAT DELICATE BALANCE BETWEEN “CENTURY-OLD CRAFTSMANSHIP” AND “TOMORROW’S MODERNITY” WITHOUT TIPPING TOO FAR INTO EITHER ERA?
We never tried to separate heritage and modernity. For us, they exist in the same gesture. Buccellati’s craft is timeless, so we approached it as if we were extending its story rather than contrasting it. The balance came naturally once we stopped thinking in terms of “then” and “now.”
YOU’VE CREATED A SPACE THAT FEELS INTIMATE, CONTEMPLATIVE, ALMOST LIKE A WHISPERED CONVERSATION WITH BEAUTY. WHAT EMOTION DID YOU WANT VISITORS TO LEAVE WITH, AND WAS THERE A SPECIFIC MOMENT IN THE EXHIBIT DESIGNED TO QUIETLY DISARM THEM?
We wanted to create a feeling of calm focus — a space where visitors could truly see and connect with Buccellati’s world. The intention wasn’t drama but intimacy, almost like sitting in quiet conversation with the brand. Every curve, reflection, and layer of light was designed to enhance the presence of the objects, so that people could slow down, observe the details, and feel a sense of quiet connection rather than spectacle.
THE MIDDLE EAST, AND DUBAI IN PARTICULAR, IS NO STRANGER TO GRAND, HIGH-DESIGN STATEMENTS. YET YOUR PALETTE FOR BUCCELLATI IS INTENTIONALLY SOFT, RESTRAINED, ALMOST DESERT-SERENE. WAS THIS A REBELLION AGAINST VISUAL NOISE, OR AN INVITATION TO NOTICE THE SUBTLETIES OF CRAFT?
Yes, absolutely. It was a conscious decision to go against the idea of spectacle. Dubai is visually rich and full of energy, but we wanted to create a space that listens instead of speaks. The calm palette invites you to slow down and really see the hand of the maker, the texture of silver, the poetry in restraint.
YOUR WORK OFTEN PLAYS WITH DUALITY — PAST AND FUTURE, RAW AND REFINED, EMOTION AND STRUCTURE. IN THE CONTEXT OF BUCCELLATI, WHAT DUALITY DID YOU MOST ENJOY BENDING OR REFRAMING THROUGH THIS SPATIAL NARRATIVE?
The duality we enjoyed most was between intimacy and grandeur. Buccellati’s world is incredibly opulent, but its beauty also lies in microscopic detail, the engraving, the rhythm of a line. We wanted the architecture to echo that, to feel monumental and yet human at the same time.
THE SILVERWARE IS DISPLAYED LIKE “TREASURES IN A JEWEL BOX,” AND THE JEWELRY IS PRESENTED WITH QUIET CONFIDENCE. HOW DID YOU PREVENT THE SPACE FROM COMPETING WITH BUCCELLATI’S CREATIONS, AND INSTEAD ALLOW THE OBJECTS TO BREATHE, GLOW, AND SEDUCE ON THEIR OWN TERMS?
The key was to design the space as a frame rather than a protagonist. We used materials that reflect light softly, so the objects could glow naturally. Every surface, every curve was meant to hold space for the silver and jewelry to breathe. It’s about seduction through silence, not competition.
IF THIS COLLABORATION WERE TO EVOLVE INTO A SECOND CHAPTER, PERHAPS BEYOND SILVERWARE AND SPACE DESIGN… WHAT UNEXPLORED MEDIUM OR SENSORY DIMENSION WOULD YOU LOVE TO INTERPRET THROUGH THE BUCCELLATI LENS? (SOUND? SCENT? MOVEMENT? A PIECE OF FURNITURE?)
We would love to create a piece of furniture or a series of objects in silverware and imagine the environment that surrounds them. It would be about extending Buccellati’s craftsmanship into a larger spatial experience, where the furniture, the light, and the atmosphere all speak the same language of precision and sensuality.
Following our conversation with David and Nicolas, we spoke with Maria Cristina Buccellati, the visionary behind the Maison’s rich heritage of jewelry and silverware. Maria Cristina shares the Maison’s philosophy, the significance of presenting Buccellati in a design-led context at Downtown Design Dubai, and the importance of the Middle East market for the brand’s global growth. She delves into how the exhibit reflects Buccellati’s signature elegance, the Maison’s dedication to craftsmanship, and the Maison’s ongoing dialogue between tradition and contemporary design.
From the curated silverware collections like Tahiti, Marina, and Nature, to a discreet selection of jewelry pieces, Maria Cristina explains how every object embodies Buccellati’s Italian savoir-faire and timeless artistry, offering visitors a unique opportunity to connect with the Maison’s heritage in an intimate and immersive setting.
HOW DID THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN BUCCELLATI AND DAVID/NICOLAS COME ABOUT, AND WHAT MADE THIS PARTNERSHIP FEEL LIKE THE RIGHT CREATIVE FIT?
The collaboration between Buccellati, with David/Nicolas was born from a true dialogue and a shared pursuit of harmony. David/Nicolas demonstrated a remarkable flexibility, carefully listening to and understanding Buccellati’s aesthetic while seamlessly integrating their own strong identity and design expertise. They didn’t simply impose their style; instead, they created a genuine fusion of their design language with Buccellati’s vision.
BOTH BUCCELLATI AND DAVID/NICOLAS SHARE A DEEP RESPECT FOR CRAFTSMANSHIP AND FORM.
HOW DID THIS SHARED PHILOSOPHY INFLUENCE THE DESIGN PROCESS AND FINAL CONCEPT?
The shared deep respect for craftsmanship and form between Buccellati and David/Nicolas was a guiding principle throughout the design process, resulting in a cohesive and balanced collaboration. David/Nicolas’s woodworking expertise was invaluable in achieving the desired mood and ambiance for the exhibit. This shared philosophy allowed us to showcase the breadth of Buccellati’s identity beyond our renowned jewelry and silverware, curating a presentation of iconic collections that truly represent our savoir-faire. For this exhibit, inspired by the beauty of Dubai and its surroundings, we used the colors of the sand and the desert and showcased products that reflect the natural world. This dedication to craftsmanship and form ensured that every element of the exhibit reflected the core values of both Buccellati and David/Nicolas.
WHAT KIND OF STORY OR EMOTION DID YOU HOPE VISITORS WOULD FEEL WHEN EXPERIENCING THE INSTALLATION?
We envisioned the installation to evoke a sense of wonder and discovery, like entering a treasure-filled jewel box. The interlocking shell structure, with its organic forms and mirrored panels, creates an intimate and immersive experience. We hoped visitors would feel a connection to both Buccellati’s artistry and the beauty of the Dubai landscape, reflected in the earthy hues and desert-inspired design. Ultimately, we aimed to create a space that inspires conversation and appreciation for the craftsmanship and heritage of Buccellati silverware.
ALSO READ: BURO’S GUIDE TO DUBAI DESIGN WEEK: THE KEY PIECES THAT YOU NEED TO SEE.
