Alissia Naïda Hoffmann

BerlinArchitecture | Art | Theoryarchitectural mediationcommunicationart

23 Dec

Written By Caroline Steffen

Alissia, please introduce yourself:

Hello, I'm Alissia Naïda Hoffmann, and I work where architecture, art, and communication meet. I see architecture as a way to explore space. In my practice I explore architecture as a process rather than a static outcome. For me, architecture is not just about building structures but about shaping the ways we engage with our surroundings and each other.

#1 Can you tell us something about your training? How did you come to study architecture?

I studied architecture at UdK Berlin, which is a university for art and design. The Udk's approach to teaching different design disciplines under one roof appealed to me. My mother comes from a fashion background, my father from architecture. Growing up I was surrounded by subjects dealing with the human body's relationship to space. This environment shaped me early on and awakened my interest in art and architecture in equal measure. Studying architecture at the UdK allowed me to combine these interests. I learned to understand and look at architecture in different ways, and I learned to combine creativity, critical thinking and responsibility.

#2 What does your work in architectural communication and mediation involve? What aspects of the work are the most enjoyable, and what are the biggest challenges?

It revolves around translating architectural ideas into accessible narratives and mediating dialogue between different interest groups. This involves creating visual and written content, curating exhibitions, organising participatory processes and moderating conversations between different people being involved.

What I enjoy most is the opportunity to build bridges - between different subjects, between professionals and the public, or between creative and technical ideas. It's great to see how people with different backgrounds can work together when they understand each other.

The biggest challenge is often taking into account the different priorities and languages of those involved. Architects, planners, policy makers and communities all approach projects with different objectives and expectations. Balancing these perspectives while ensuring clarity and cohesion requires empathy, patience and adaptability.

Between, Time Space and Scale Udk © Stella Kramer

#3 Can you tell us something about your recently initiated project FERMENT? How did it come about?

FERMENT is a conversation series initially initiated by Stella Flatten, born from the necessity to establish a culture of constructive provocation and dynamic dialogue in urban discourse. The project takes its name from the concept of fermentation—a metaphor for transformation, energy, and growth through active engagement and interaction.

It was a match made in heaven when Stella and I met. We were both interested in the culture of discussion that was to develop in the space practice. Since then, we've been working together to advance the format.

At its core, FERMENT is about integrating the dynamic qualities of space into the discourse itself, treating it as an active, provocative participant rather than a passive backdrop. The project thrives on interconnection—linking disciplines, embracing mistakes as learning opportunities, and creating a culture where diverse voices can ferment new ideas and approaches.

#4 Your slogan is: "Uproar and unrest in the culture of discussion. Making ideas ferment." What do you hope to achieve in the long term?

The idea is to create spaces where traditional thinking is challenged and new ways of talking, listening and discussing are explored. By encouraging a culture of creative disruption, the hope is to move beyond traditional ways of talking, and enable new forms of dialogue that empower individuals.

In the long term, the aim is not only to address societal and environmental issues through architecture but also to redefine how we converse and collaborate. FERMENT wants to create a new way of communicating that is more open, lively, and inclusive. It encourages everyone to get involved, have constructive debates, and come up with new ideas together.

#5 In addition to your other projects, you are also actively involved in “Radio 80000“ and responsible for AudioADA. What does music mean to you? Do you see your work there as a form of creative balance?

AudioADA is a space to explore sound as an expressive medium alongside architecture. It's less about balance and more about cross-pollination. Sound and space are deeply intertwined. My involvement at Radio80000 allows me to approach my environment from new perspectives and to examine the intersections between auditory and spatial perception. Both disciplines are about spatial perception, the interplay of elements and the way we experience our surroundings, whether visually or auditory.

#6 What are you most looking forward to in the coming year regarding upcoming projects or cultural events?

I'm really excited about a project I'm working on with Simon Schnepp, which focuses on the Eiermann tiles from the former Horten facades around Germany. The work addresses key questions surrounding urban change, the tension of demolition and transformation, and the potential of building with existing structures. This installation will consist of Eiermann tiles and also will integrate historical images. It aims to foster a dialogue between the past and the present, encouraging reflection on how we approach existing structures and their transformation and is planned for 2025.

#7 How do you see the role of an architect in today's society?

We are moderators, mediators and activists to create sustainable and inclusive (spatial) structures. In the face of climate change, social inequality and rapid urbanisation, architects have a responsibility to design (or not design) spaces that prioritise resilience, inclusivity and adaptability. Our work goes beyond aesthetics and functionality - it involves engaging with communities, addressing systemic issues and fostering dialogue about the future of our shared environment.

I also believe that architects have a crucial role to play in challenging established norms and proposing alternative ways of living. We have the tools to communicate ideas, inspire change and shape cultural narratives through the spaces we take care of. In this way, architecture becomes not just a profession, but a form of activism. Ultimately, the role of an architect today is about embracing complexity, collaborating across disciplines, and using design as a tool for transformation and connection.

#8 How does your environment influence your work?

I was born in Berlin in the early 90s and grew up unconsciously and consciously with the transformation of this city. From a physical perspective, Berlin's urban environment plays a central role. It's complex history, architectural diversity and public spaces are a constant source of inspiration and critical reflection. The fluid identity of the city and its intersections of the personal and the public, and the spaces in between, inspire me to ask how architecture can mediate between different perspectives and create spaces for dialogue.

On a social and cultural level, the people and communities I interact with and the cultural narratives I observe are central to my work. Berlin's rich mix of identities and cultural discourse encourages me to approach projects with an awareness of inclusivity and dialogue. In particular, public space acts as a stage for social interaction and experimentation, shaping my understanding of architecture as a medium for connection and participation.

#9 Three things that inspire you at the moment:

Collaborative processes: The unexpected outcomes that emerge when diverse voices contribute to a project.

Resilience and temporal dynamics: Investigating how time influences the perception and evolution of spaces.

Public Space: Observing how people use and reinterpret shared environments.

#10 What do you currently read, watch, listen to?

The Lives of Documents – Photography as Project by Stefano Graziani and Bas Princen

is a beautiful book I recently got as a present that delves into how photography serves as both a medium for documenting architectural projects and as a tool for generating new insights and interpretations of space. It explores the relationship between architecture, photography, and the concept of documentation.

My Imaginary Country by Patricio Guzmán

is a documentary that captures Chile's 2019 protests for social justice and constitutional reform, blending personal reflection with the country's ongoing struggles for democracy and equality.

Space 1.8 by Nala Sinephro

is an album that blends elements of jazz, electronic music, and experimental sounds, exploring themes of space, time, and emotional depth. It is both an auditory and emotional experience, focusing on the expansive potential of sound.