PHILADELPHIA, PA - AKA, the innovative global brand of luxury serviced residences, announced its partnership with internationally renowned Italian architect and designer Piero Lissoni. This dynamic collaboration comes as a part of Philadelphia's most anticipated new project, AKA University City located at 30th and Walnut.
Rising above the Philadelphia skyline, the residences at AKA University City lie at the heart of Cira Centre South—Brandywine Realty Trust's groundbreaking 830,000 square foot mixed-use building and Philadelphia's first vertical neighborhood. The upper 19 stories of the tower will feature brand new ultra-luxury residential offerings ranging from hotel suites to apartment residences along with Level 28, an entire floor dedicated to wellness, as well as lifestyle-enhancing amenities and services. Piero Lissoni Associati's interior design for AKA University City will seamlessly complement the building's architectural vision, imagined and executed by architectural firms Pelli Clarke Pelli and BLTa.
"Piero Lissoni is undoubtedly the ideal design partner for this world-class project. Lissoni's distinct minimalistic approach and mastery of proportion is harmonious with the AKA brand's architecture and design philosophy that translates throughout all of our accommodations around the globe. Lissoni is celebrated around the world for never designing for a specific function or purpose, but for his ability to design for human beings," said Larry Korman, President of AKA.
In a forward-thinking approach to engaging different tastes and preferences, the furnished residences at AKA University City will maintain a unified style, though each residence will vary slightly – evoking different moods and emotion. With daily, weekly and monthly offerings – the variations allow AKA guests the opportunity for personalization and the experience to choose their own space that feels most like "home." Variations will range from furniture pieces to the small but distinct details of the upholstery and fabrics.
A streamlined sensibility of timeless elegance and sophistication is united by the finest materials in the world. The Lissoni team spent hours with Italy's leading furniture manufacturers to hand-select the highest-quality materials and textiles—from the distinct grains of wood to the fabrics in natural materials including wool, linen and cotton. Sculptural, intimate lighting from Italy's top manufacturers is a key component to Lissoni's distinctive design mood within each space.
"We are honored to be selected as the design partner for such a special space in Philadelphia history. With AKA's unique model of offerings, the exciting challenge is to create an ambience that is homey enough for a person who is staying for a longer period, as opposed to a single day experience in a hotel room; and at the same time you have to create something that is interesting and different," said Nicoletta Canesi, Co-founder of Piero Lissoni Associati. "We're able to bring emotion into the residences by mixing different materials and styles with each space, inspired by AKA's world-traveler guests. The bedrock of the design is Italian, of course, but the décor elements are more global."