AKA Alexandria | Lissoni & Partners

The project by Lissoni New York Architecture involves the transformation of an existing building located in the picturesque old city of Alexandria, a few kilometers from Washington DC.

The intervention has involved the renovation of the exteriors so as to give new cohesiveness and visual harmony to the building, as well as a more contemporary appearance. The brick façade is now characterized by anthracite gray, the window frames and all the apertures have been redesigned. The drop-off area has been redesigned with the addition of a canopy, and the space in front has been embellished with gardens and public spaces.

The project for the interiors plays on the contrast between classic and contemporary, also drawing inspiration from the colonial style that is characteristic of the area, to offer a sophisticated reinterpretation of it with the introduction of unexpected and sometimes ironic elements. At the same time an attempt has been made to maintain a link with the project language used for the AKA NoMad Hotel in New York, through the introduction of references to Japanese and Scandinavian design.
The spaces have been remodeled as intercommunicating boxes and designed on the basis of new functionalities where each environment tells of a specific context. Major importance has been given to the lighting project with a view to creating welcoming locations and relaxing atmospheres. The bar area is characterized by perforated metal walls, displayed on which, as in an art gallery, is a series of works created by Mineheart depicting historical figures in an ironic vein.
Certain architectural elements that define the language of the studio stand out in the space, such as the double-height sculptural staircase connecting the reception area with the suspended garden on the first floor.

Design team:
Piero Lissoni with
Stefano Giussani, Stephanie Rieger, Antonio Rinaldi, Vincent Chen, Tania Zaneboni, Roberto Berticelli
Rendering: Alberto Massi Mauri, Alessandro Massi Mauri