Meet Ariel Gelman of Blu Design Colorado in South Broadway and I-25

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ariel Gelman.

Ariel, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My experience includes the professional fields of architecture and landscape architecture. As an architect in Argentina, I concentrated my work in high-end residential design and commercial-retail related projects. Working mostly with private clients, my responsibilities included complete execution of all phases of design, cost management, and public and private presentations. As a landscape architect, I have been focusing my career on high-end residential and commercial designs with emphasis on the natural and cultural aspects dictated by each environment, from South America, Asia, to the Rocky Mountains. Currently, my main interests are about interpreting the essence of landscapes and translate their significance into meaningful designs that will fulfill not only environmental and cultural requirements but also the client’s budget, needs and expectations.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It is never a smooth road :). Coming from another country almost 28 years ago, I needed to adapt to first, a different educational system while pursuing my masters in Landscape Architecture, and then to a work environment that brought challenges by itself.

At the beginning, especially while in graduate school, language was a real barrier. I came from Argentina with basic knowledge of English, but not close to be ready to articulate my thoughts and design ideas.

After graduation, I was lucky enough to be hired by one of the best firms in the country. There is where I learned high level of design along with oral and graphic communication. It was hard in the beginning but as time passed I felt more and more comfortable.

In 2001, I started my own business and it brought by nature its own challenges. Ups and downs along with the economy made me adjust to the circumstances. So much so, that in 2010 I was hired as a design consultant by a company in China (since in the US was still a recession very much present). After almost three years, I came back to Colorado and reignited my private business.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Blu Design Colorado story. Tell us more about the business.
I run a small design firm. We specialize in high end residential and commercial design. We are well known for been original with our designs where architecture and landscape become one. We have a motto ” once we are done, we were never there”. It means that we marry our designs with architecture and always push for a close and strong collaboration between disciplines.

We are proud of responses we receive from clients, contractors, landscape contractors, engineers, etc. We keep collaborating with each other from one project to the next. Establishing good and long-lasting relationships is not easy and it is a labor of love and passion.

We set us apart is that we are capable of designing residential and commercial projects as well. It is not very common in our industry, As an example, we are about to begin to redesign the whole block for Saint John Cathedral in Denver while at the same time we are working in high-end residential projects in Cherry Creek, Littleton, Polo Club, all the way to a 14 acres site assisted living project in Lakewood.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Luck has to be present. But you need to help luck been the best, or one of the best, at what you do. You need to be passionate, creative, and be able to put yourself in your client’s shoes to really understand what they need and desire.

Been aware of what you need to help luck, luck will be on your side.

Contact Info:

• Address: Blu Design Colorado
  725 S. Broadway, Suite 15
  Denver, CO. 80209
• Website: www.bludesigncolorado.com
• Phone: 7204984637
• Email: ag@bludesigncolorado.com
• Instagram: blu_design_colorado
• Facebook: Blu Design Colorado

Image Credit:
David Lauer: credits for mid-century modern garden.

Suggest a story: VoyageDenver is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.