AKK Architects, Annabel Karim Kassar’s architectural practice, was founded in 1994 in Lebanon. Currently with offices in Milan, Beirut and Dubai (Annaka fzco), AKK Architects works internationally on commercial, industrial, hospitality and residential projects providing full architecture, interior and furniture design as well as lighting design for both the public and private sectors. AKK’s architecture combines a modernist aesthetic with a strong accent on the local craftsmanship of each project’s location. Her career has been devoted to exploring the frontier between visible and invisible, removing private spaces from their usual intimate settings to exposed areas of a house, as well as bridging traditional forms with edgy lines.

AKK Architects has focused in recent years on creating an architectural space that allows its inhabitants to witness modern structures and ornamental elements coexisting organically. By using cutting edge technology to create kinetic ceilings to collaborating with craftsmen/women who bring their century old technique to projects, AKK Architects frees its architecture from having to choose between conviviality and aesthetic rigor. Design is more a process than a style.

While establishing her offices there, Annabel Karim Kassar was responsible for creating some of the city’s hottest venues, including Strange Fruit (1990), a movie theatre that was metamorphosed into an after-hours chill out space, and which stood out amongst the rest in Beirut’s night scene. Annabel designed three more venues Momo at the Souks (2009), Balima (2009) and Bali Balima (2011). She has also worked on the interior design of several housing projects of traditional Ottoman Villas.

In 2006, Annabel opened AKK Dubai Office, where they designed the Almaz restaurants in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Currently, AKK Architects are working on the Al Zorah Golf Club, including not only the architecture of the project but also interiors and lighting.