A&K Travel Group Announces Partnership with Architect Adriana Granato and Naval Architects Giacomo and Lorenzo Mortola
Esteemed architect to advise on interior and architecture for AKT Group. Renowned naval architect studio to lead Crystal new builds design.
A&K Travel Group has taken a major step forward with its four new ships for Crystal revealed last July, this week confirmed a long-term collaboration with naval architects, Giacomo and Loreno Mortola.
The father and son duo, trading as Studio Gem, were involved in the refit of Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony and have been tasked to spearhead the design of the twin 220-guest ice-class expedition ships and twin 650-passenger classic ocean ships.
The luxury travel company has also struck an exclusive partnership with architect Adriana Granato. Based in Milan, Granato’s art direction will bring a wealth of expertise and a unique perspective to the group’s architectural and interior design projects for their camps, lodges, boats and ships.
Granato, who holds a double degree in Architecture from Politecnico di Milano and Politecnico di Torino, as well as a PhD in Design and Technologies for Cultural Heritage, is one of the youngest female adjunct professors ever hosted by Politecnico di Milano. In 2018, she founded Studio Ibsen, a think tank of architects, interior designers, and researchers that tackles national and international projects, as well as academic research and social-based initiatives.
For A&K’s new camps and lodges, Granato will work with local architects and interior designers to ensure the group’s Italian heritage, style and taste blend seamlessly with regional materials, patterns and colours.Last month, LATTEexclusively revealed A&K Travel Group is planning new lodges in Rwanda and Kenya’s Amboseli National Park, and refreshes of other lodges already in the portfolio.
Cristina Levis, CEO of A&K Travel Group, spoke highly of her collaboration with Granato, saying: “Since our first meeting in 2019, Adriana has been an invaluable asset, consistently delivering exceptional results in the face of challenging projects. Her vast knowledge and unparalleled expertise in materials, shapes, and architectural history make her a true visionary in her field.”
“Adriana’s deep understanding of my vision for our two brands, coupled with her keen awareness of our Group’s strategic goals, enables her to strike the
perfect balance between tradition and innovation. This ensures that our offerings resonate with both Millennials and older generations alike, a testament to her remarkable ability to bridge the gap between the past and the future.”
Granato said: “Being able to merge with the spirit of places and communities is what architecture is all about and A&K has championed that over the years. I have embraced the company’s vision from the very beginning of our collaboration, the ability to remain in the firm nature of what is classic while always developing new challenges with a convinced future-oriented approach, and I am delighted to collaborate with the passionate and experienced team in AKTG.”
Granato will oversee all architectural and interior design projects for A&K Travel Group, coordinating and guiding the professionals involved.
Meanwhile, Crystal‘s new ocean and expedition ships, as well as some of A&K’s new river boats, will be designed by the renowned Studio Gem of Genova, led by Giacomo Mortola and his son Lorenzo Mortola.
Based in Genova, Mortola father and son have 70 years of combined experience in ship design and have conceived the interiors of the most graceful ships navigating the oceans. An internal team of talented naval engineers and architects headed by Roberto Fazi, SVP Marine of Crystal Cruises will cooperate with Studio Gem and Studio Ibsen.
Levis said she has worked with Mortola father and son for many years, from the construction and refurbishment of other ships and to the refurbishment of Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity.
“The sophisticated taste of Giacomo Mortola and his meticulous attention to details coupled with the pragmatic and fresh eye of his incredibly talented son Lorenzo are the perfect match for the ambitions for our ships and future projects,” Levis said.
Fernando Delgado, Chief Product Officer of A&K Travel Group, concluded: I am thrilled to have Adriana helping my team. She brings years of experience in sustainable architecture both in nature and in heritage buildings, an exquisite eye for the details and the refinement of the stile Italiano .
“She has already marked the difference in the first projects in which she is taking part. I am also very excited to get the opportunity to work again with Giacomo and Lorenzo with whom I had the honour to collaborate in some projects in the past. Their taste is so refined and so aligned with what we aim to achieve that we could not be in better hands,” Delgado concluded.
Renders of the new ships or lodges/camps are yet to be supplied.
