Today we’d like to introduce you to Aldo Andreoli

Hi Aldo, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

My name is Aldo Andreoli, A is the initial of my name, but A is also the initial of my last name, so my obsession with this letter of the alphabet started very early in life, as soon as I was able to pronounce and write my full name.

Back in Italy, during my school years, I was always the first of any list, with a few exceptions to the rule, for example when I had a class-mate called Abate, but this was a rare situation. Strangely enough my class section was always the A: Prima A, Seconda A, etc.

My main field of interest as a young man was to become a great Amante (Latin Lover), I had a strong passion for Automobili (to the point that I became a racing car driver), and I choose Architecture as a field of study.

I don’t remember exactly when I started to collect letters A, but every time I stumbled upon one of any kind, I bought it, stole it or simply took it for my collection.

During my studies in university my favorite architect was the Finnish Alvar Aalto, my favorite design magazine Abitare and my favorite lighting company Artemide.

After my A Plus graduation I formed my first company Aldo Andreoli Architetto.

After few years my love for travels led me to America, and particularly to New York, a city that was always in my dreams.
My first American wife, Anne, was a graphic designer, and she taught me a lot about fonts and many different ways to write the letter A, an important issue, in consideration of my profession: Aldo Andreoli Architectural Designer.

My move to New York happened in the late eighties: my favorite club was AREA in TriBeCa and SAVE THE ROBOTS in Avenue A. As soon as I bought my first car in the Usa, (an Audi) I joined AAA, and, to moderate my drinking behavior, at a certain point I decided going to some AA meetings.

Soon I discovered I didn’t like to work alone so I created my first American company: Aldo Andreoli & Associates.

After ten years in New York I moved to Sedona, Arizona, where I lived for seven years, before returning to New York, where I created a partnership with Architect Morris Adjmi: Adjmi & Andreoli and a few years later my own company: AA Studio.

In 2019 an old Italian friend of mine came back to New York from China. His name is Matthew Asinari. We know each others from our youth, because we were both spending every summer vacations in an Italian resort called Alassio, on the Liguria coast of Italy.
It seemed that our creative international experiences were somehow similar, so we decided to create a new company together.

One morning I woke up with the formula H2O in my mind, ACCA2O in Italian. The idea to turn it into H2A (Accaduea in Italian) was almost automatic and Matthew seemed to like the sound of it too.

Then we started to question: 2A stand for Andreoli and Asinari, but what about Aitch? It sounds good, but what about the meaning?
We left it unresolved for a while, but then one morning Matthew showed up at the office, looked at me and said: “H2A stands for Habitat to Art”. I looked at him and immediately replied: “Excellent!”

The rest is history.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

As an Architect trained in Italy I consider Architecture and Interior design not to be two separate disciplines but, at different scale, two complementary fundamentals of the design process. I also strongly believe that true creativity defies the logic of the thinking process and challenges its rationality.

Modularity allows for flexibility and seriality since visual complexity is derived from rational simplicity. The grid is the framework where the different components can freely interact in many intriguing composition possibilities.

The rhythm between structural columns and beams becomes the musical score in which different elements can take form and expression. Modular elements can be connected or disconnected to create spaces that are able to expand or contract without a massive reconfiguration.

Space compositions can easily take different shapes according to evolving programs or special events. Modular choices invite zen clarity and complement creativity and chaotic interaction.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?

Aldo Andreoli was born in Torino, Italy, the birthplace of Fiat and Lancia and one of the cradles of Italian industrial design. Torino is home to many car-styling companies as well.

In his youth he collaborated with Ettore Sottsass, the creator of the Memphis style in design. They worked together on the design of Casa Maui in Hawaii.

Aldo began his USA career in Tribeca 25 years ago with the renovation and conversion of historic buildings and created the concept of full floor loft units. His most creative imprints are seen at 56 Thomas Street and 140 Franklin Street. He was one of the first designers/developers in New York to incorporate strong design principles into new developments.

While recognizing the importance of a respect towards history, he approaches every project with an un-compromised sense of contemporary creativity. The result is seldom obvious with a strong sense of style, proportions and elegance as his signature imprint.

After the events of September 11th, Aldo moved to the deserts of Sedona Arizona where he designed and built multiple single-family residences as well as developing a few boutique subdivisions.

He returned to New York in 2010 where he designed, in collaboration with Morris Adjmi, one of downtown Manhattans most well respected venues – Spring Studios in Tribeca.

In collaboration with Adjmi, he also was the leading designer of three downtown boutique condominiums at 290 West Street, 11 N Moore Street and 250 Bowery; which was the recipient of the AIA 2016 best new project award.

He recently completed two new condominium projects at 287 East Houston on the Lower East Side and 805 Washington Avenue in Brooklyn. He was also the design architect for the Press House, a mixed-use project in the district of Noma, in Washington, DC.

In 2018 he completed the design project of King and Sullivan, which consisted of 22 townhouses in the core of Red Hook, Brooklyn.

In 2019, in collaboration with strategic communication leader Matthew Asinari, he founded Habitat to Art. One of the company’s goals is the creation of an innovative concept in the design and strategy for the production and sale of modular homes. This project will be launched in the global market.

Aldo has earned a Degree in Architecture from the Politecnico di Torino and, since 1978, is a licensed Architect in Italy.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?

Like Real Art. Dislike Commercial Art
Like Creativity. Dislike Cookie-cutter design
LIke Culture. Dislike Ignorance
Like Motivation, Dislike Stress
Like Meditation. Dislike Tension
Like Style. Dislike Sloppyness
Like Grace. Dislike Arrogance

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.habitat2art.com
• Instagram: @alandreusa
• Facebook: Aldo Andreoli
• LinkedIn: Aldo Andreoli

Image Credits

Photos by Marco Ricca and Alexander Severin