ALAO is a Cobble Hill–based, award-winning architecture and interior design practice crafting homes and commercial spaces that inspire joy and embody a sense of brightness, openness, and comfort. We start with a conversation to understand how you live and what you value as the foundation to create environments that feel deeply personal and enduring.
Led by Aya Maceda, architect and interior designer, and James Carse, architect and urban designer, ALAO works closely with homeowners throughout Brooklyn on brownstone renovations, additions, apartments and second homes, as well as multifamily, institutional, office, and retail projects. The studio is known for a hands-on, collaborative process that helps clients navigate complex projects with clarity, care, and confidence—from early conversations through construction.
ALAO approaches design as a shared effort, guiding clients while ensuring that each project reflects their needs and priorities. The goal is not to impose a singular vision, but to create spaces that feel intuitive, comfortable, and a joy to be in—whether it be homes that families return to, gather in, and grow with over time; or commercial spaces that reflect the values of the company.
Alongside client work, ALAO is committed to expanding access to architecture through advocacy efforts that support artists’ communities, provide design education for children, and offer design services to organizations and communities with limited access to architects. Whether working on a private home or a public-facing project, the practice is guided by the belief that thoughtful design can improve daily life and help people feel rooted to a place.