Prize(s) Winners in Hospitality Lighting Design
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 Credits Veeral Patel
Completion Date 2023
Project Location Alexandria, Virginia USA
Entry DescriptionOn a quiet street in Old Town Alexandria, an existing hotel has been transformed into a refined destination for an international clientele. Collaborating with Lissoni Architecture, our team used lighting design to create a distinctive identity and guest experience.
The lighting creates a sense of intimacy within a hotel that encompasses 150,790 square feet. As visitors explore a sequence of public and private spaces, light sources accentuate art and design objects rather than the room itself. We sought to evoke a sense of surprise, wonder, and discovery, an experience not unlike walking the rooms of a museum or art gallery.
The lighting harmonizes with Lissoni’s interiors, which take inspiration from elements of Japanese and Scandinavian design. In the reception area, an illuminated shoji screen wall makes a dramatic backdrop for a sculptural steel staircase. Adjacent lounge spaces convey an intimate atmosphere, reminiscent of a clubhouse or the private rooms of the colonial-style mansions of historic Old Town, while still expressing a contemporary mood.
Illumination becomes a dramatic centerpiece in the bar area, where the lighting piece Mamacloud floats above the bar. We worked closely with manufacturer Belux to design and produce a custom fixture, perfectly proportioned to the contours of the hotel bar. Patrons sit beneath the cloud and feel embraced by the light sculpture.
Sustainability ApproachAs designers focused on sustainability, we were excited by the opportunity to be engaged from the beginning of this comprehensive renovation and transformation project. Together with the architectural team, we took a circular economy approach, identifying opportunities to repurpose existing power and lighting infrastructure. Where possible, we selected lighting fixtures that can accommodate replaceable LED sources, therefore extending the life of the fixtures.
Our lighting design scheme employs minimum light levels, creating a chiaroscuro interplay of light and shadow. We made this choice not only for aesthetic but also environmental reasons. By operating far below the maximum light levels for the building, our lighting design reduces operational energy and electricity use.
Company DescriptionSTUDIO ATOMIC is an Architectural Lighting and Design studio established in 2018 in New York City. Working closely with clients to realize tailored design solutions from conception to execution, the studio undertakes a diverse range of projects varying in typology and scale, ranging from residential to cultural, commercial, hospitality, and non-profit.
