Header: Veeral Patel
On a quiet street in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, you will find a newly transformed Hotel AKA Alexandria. Redesigned by Lissoni Architecture New York, the architects changed the outside, turning the brick façade into a modern anthracite grey and adding a new canopy and gardens. Inside, they created a new identity that blends Japanese and Scandinavian minimalism with the area’s classic colonial style. But a considerable part of this building’s new character comes from its lighting, designed by Studio Atomic. The lighting design is so successful that the hotel picked up a LIT Lighting Design Award for its work.
Lighting that tells you where to look
Studio Atomic, led by Paola Pietrantoni, had a particular goal. In a massive 150,790-square-foot hotel, they wanted to create a feeling of intimacy. Their solution was to treat the hotel like a museum or an art gallery. Instead of just making rooms bright, the light is used to pinpoint art, design objects, and unique furniture. The light sources themselves are often hidden, so you focus on what is lit rather than the light itself. This creates a sense of discovery as you walk through the spaces, full of dark tones and rich materials.
From the lobby to the lounge
This gallery-like approach is obvious from the moment you enter. In the reception area, a large, illuminated shoji screen wall glows softly. It serves as a dramatic backdrop for a sculptural steel staircase that appears to float in the space. In the nearby lounge spaces, the lighting changes to create a cosier, clubhouse atmosphere. It feels private and intimate, like a modern take on the private rooms you’d find in Old Town’s historic mansions. Throughout the common areas, with low ceilings, lighting creates moody pathways and social zones with a theatrical feel.
A cloud floating over the bar
The most dramatic moment is in the hotel’s A.Lounge bar. Floating right above the bar is a vast, cloud-like light sculpture called Mamacloud. Frank Gehry originally designed this piece. Studio Atomic worked directly with the manufacturer, Belux, to produce a custom version. They made sure its size and shape were perfectly proportioned to the bar below. When patrons sit for a drink, they are directly under this massive, glowing form and feel completely enveloped by the light. The effect is amplified by the bar’s perforated metal walls, which display a series of ironic art pieces depicting historical figures.
Good moods and good for the Earth
This moody atmosphere isn’t just for looks; it’s also smart. The design team used low light levels, creating a “chiaroscuro” effect, a strong interplay between light and shadow. This was a choice made for both aesthetic and environmental reasons. By operating far below the maximum light levels allowed for the building, the hotel’s lighting plan significantly reduces energy and electricity use. As part of this sustainability focus, the designers also took a circular economy approach, repurposing existing power and lighting infrastructure wherever possible and choosing new fixtures that can accept replaceable LED sources to extend their lifespan.
Project info
Lighting Design/Product Company: Studio Atomic
Lead Designers: Paola Pietrantoni
Architecture Company: Lissoni Architecture New York
Interior Design Company: Lissoni Architecture New York
Client: Hotel AKA
Photo Credit: Veeral Patel
Completion Date: 2023
Project Location: Alexandria, Virginia USA
