ASArchitects LLC, an Albania-based architecture and design studio led by Founder and Managing Director Antonela Saliaj, has achieved international recognition with a 2025 Luxury Lifestyle Awards for Best Luxury Commercial Interior Design. The award celebrates their outstanding work on the Riga Waterfront Development Sales Center in Latvia, an elegant, future-focused space that exemplifies the firm’s ability to fuse cultural sensitivity, refined materiality, and visionary spatial planning.

Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Tirana, ASArchitects has swiftly evolved into a dynamic force in contemporary architecture and interior design. With a strong track record across Albania, Greece, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States, the firm has built an international reputation for delivering sophisticated, context-driven design solutions. Elite developers continually seek out ASArchitects for its masterful blend of storytelling, craftsmanship, and technical precision.

Operating as a full-service design consultancy, the studio offers an integrated suite of architectural and engineering services that span master planning, architectural and interior design, landscape integration, and advanced BIM coordination. From initial concept to construction documentation and on-site execution, ASArchitects ensures an effortless workflow across complex project typologies—including retail, mixed-use, cultural, and industrial developments.

Co-founded by architects Antonela Saliaj and Ani Tola, the firm started operating in January 2017, initially in Tirana, offering design consultancy services for various project typologies, and in October 2018, ASArchitects started operating in Dubai, UAE, offering expertise services in BIM, design development, and project execution stage. Both founders bring multi-sector expertise that has propelled ASArchitects into regional prominence. Antonela, who holds postgraduate credentials from Milan Polytechnic and Cornell University, brings over 17 years of experience leading projects across hospitality, education, residential, museum, and transportation sectors in Europe and the Middle East. Ani, meanwhile, is a recognized researcher, specialised in urban microclimate, outdoor thermal comfort in promenades, public spaces, in cities with a Mediterranean climate. Aside from ASArchitects involvement, she has an outstanding academic career, currently holding the position of Vice Dean in the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, PUT.

Transforming a Historic Terminal into a Contemporary Luxury Landmark

The Riga Waterfront Development Sales Center is located in a landmark building, formerly the entrance hall of the city’s passenger ferry terminal on the Daugava River, dating back to the 1970s. Once a hub of activity, the structure had fallen into disuse, with interiors untouched for decades. ASArchitects was commissioned to transform this legacy space into a refined commercial interior that would serve as the central sales and experience center for a major urban redevelopment project on Riga’s waterfront.

The studio approached the assignment with a design vision rooted in architectural integrity and cultural respect. Rather than erasing the building’s past, ASArchitects embraced it, crafting a dialogue between old and new. A significant moment in the renovation was the discovery of a hidden mosaic wall—an unexpected historic element that the design team chose to preserve and highlight. This decision underscores the firm’s commitment to honouring site-specific narratives while delivering spaces that meet contemporary expectations for function, aesthetics, and luxury.

An Interior Inspired by Nautical Elegance and Urban Hospitality

ASArchitects’ design concept was driven by a clear and thoughtful client brief: to create a space that evokes the calm sophistication of a luxury hotel lobby, while subtly referencing the nautical identity of its waterfront setting. The resulting interiors are a study in refinement and elegance, composed of soft tonal palettes, layered materials, and bespoke detailing.

Expansive lounge areas are designed to offer comfort and openness, encouraging visitors to engage in relaxed conversation. A custom stone-carved fireplace serves as a sculptural focal point, adding warmth and tactile richness to the environment. Adjacent to this, a café corner echoes the atmosphere of a private villa kitchen, reinforcing the sense of hospitality and familiarity.

The material palette is particularly noteworthy. Yacht-inspired wooden flooring, sleek marble surfaces, mirror-polished metal accents, and high-quality textiles create a multisensory experience that feels both grounded and elevated. Lighting, another essential design element, is curated through a combination of wall sconces, pendant fixtures, and tailored table lamps—each selected to support the overall narrative of luxury and understated grandeur.

Locally Sourced, Sustainably Executed

ASArchitects demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability throughout the project by working exclusively with local manufacturers and suppliers. This approach not only reduced environmental impact but also supported the regional economy and craftsmanship. Every detail, from materials to finishes, reflects the studio’s dedication to ethical design practices and long-term value creation.

Recognized Excellence Across Borders

The recognition from Luxury Lifestyle Awards joins a growing list of accolades for ASArchitects. The studio is a nominee for the 2024 EUmies Awards and has received two nominations for the prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture for its educational projects in Albania. These acknowledgments reinforce the studio’s reputation for design excellence that transcends typologies—from commercial and civic spaces to hospitality and education.

The firm’s expansion into international markets such as Dubai, Florida, and Greece further illustrates the global relevance of its design philosophy. Whether transforming historic buildings or crafting contemporary new builds, ASArchitects remains focused on delivering environments that are both timeless and resonant.

A Benchmark for Future Developments

The Riga Waterfront Development Sales Center exemplifies ASArchitects’ holistic approach to interior design, balancing visual sophistication with historical continuity, and commercial functionality with emotional depth. It is a space that embodies its promise, serving as a gateway to the urban lifestyle of the future Riga.

This award-winning project is a reflection of ASArchitects’ core values: architectural clarity, contextual awareness, material intelligence, and a narrative-driven process. As the firm continues to expand its influence and portfolio, it is positioned as a leader in excellence in luxury design, delivering work that is both highly bespoke and universally admired.

Visit https://www.asarchitects.net/ for more information.