About AKA Insight
AWARD-WINNING MANHATTAN ARCHITECT SPECIALIZING IN PRE-WAR APARTMENT TRANSFORMATIONS
Allegra Kochman, AIA | Licensed NYC Architect
In this video, I talk about becoming an architect and my clients’ fantasies.
What Drives My Work: “I love architecture because I get to make people happy in ways they couldn’t have imagined. I create space that feels like it’s always been that way — relaxed, flowing, perfectly suited to how you want to live.”
For over 20 years, I’ve been helping Manhattan homeowners discover hidden potential in their pre-war and contemporary homes with journeys as delightful as the results.
BA with Honors, Dartmouth College. Master of Architecture, Columbia GSAPP. Licensed since 2000. AIA member.
Featured in Architectural Digest, New York Post, Interior Design, and 6sqft.
Complete Manhattan Apartment Renovation Services
AKA Insight delivers full architectural services for pre-war and contemporary Manhattan apartment renovations, from concept through move-in:
- Architectural design and room reconfiguration
- Interior design and material selection
- Co-op and condo board alteration applications
- NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) approvals
- NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) filings
- Construction administration and oversight
- Budget guidance and consultant coordination
Our comprehensive approach ensures seamless coordination throughout your transformation. We do not offer individual services separately — this integration maintains quality control and delivers the exceptional results our clients expect.
Our Pre-War Renovation Expertise
We specialize in revealing hidden potential in Manhattan pre-war apartments. We preserve elegant proportions, high ceilings, and original details while creating seamless spatial sequences for contemporary life. Strategic openings frame views. Selective demolition creates sightlines across rooms. Abundant storage integrates architecturally into spatial flow.
Our Light-Views-Space strategy choreographs how natural light moves through your home and positions rooms to capture the best views. Every design decision serves one goal: spaces that feel expansive, gracious, and inevitable — as though they were always meant to exist exactly this way.
Meet Our Team
Our team brings together specialists in architecture, interior design, project coordination, and client experience. We share a commitment to clarity, kindness, and making your Manhattan renovation delightful from concept to completion.
Ariel Cui
Interior Designer
AKA since 2021
Superpowers: Beauty meets strategy — creating multilayered design possibilities
Education: BFA Display Design, Tsinghua University
MFA Interior Design, Pratt Institute
At AKA: I lead interior design and material coordination for your complete renovation. I take your vision and translate it through thoughtful design exploration—helping you see exciting possibilities you might not have imagined.
Viksha Nayak
Junior Designer
AKA since 2025
Superpowers: Bridging vision, materials, and built reality
Education: B.Architecture, RV College of Architecture, India
M.S. Advanced Architectural Design, Columbia University
At AKA: I collaborate with you and our consultant team to refine design ideas into clear architectural plans. I help ensure your vision translates accurately from concept through construction documentation
Nimish Mytle
Design Manager
AKA since 2022
Superpowers: Warm communications and attentive listening
Education: B.Architecture, Kurukshetra University, India
MBS User Experience Design, Rutgers University
At AKA: I ensure your renovation experience is seamless and delightful. I coordinate schedules, manage communications between all project partners, and keep you informed at every milestone — so you always know what to expect next.
O’Shay Jelks
Digital Media Intern
AKA since 2025
Superpowers: Storytelling through visual media
Education: BA Journalism with Marketing emphasis
MS in Strategic Communication, Columbia University
At AKA: I manage our digital presence and help share the story of your transformation. I capture the journey from before to after — documenting how Manhattan apartments become celebration-ready homes.
Sampath Boddhula
BIM Director
AKA since 2021
Superpowers: Technical orchestration and precision problem-solving
Education: B.Architecture, India
Project Management Certification, Alison
At AKA: I oversee our technical production team, ensuring architectural drawings are accurate, coordinated, and ready for approvals. I maintain quality control across all construction documents — so your project moves smoothly through DOB filings and construction.
Krishna Pol
BIM Specialist
AKA since 2024
Superpowers: Detail-oriented design documentation.
Education: B.Architecture, India
At AKA: I create the detailed architectural drawings and 3D models that bring your design to life. I ensure every dimension, detail, and specification is accurate and ready for construction.
Careers
Why Join AKA Insight
We are building a team that values both professional excellence and personal growth. The AKA Insight culture emphasizes clarity in communication, kindness in collaboration, and a commitment to making the renovation process delightful for everyone involved — including our team members.
If you are passionate about residential architecture, committed to client-centered service, and excited about transforming pre-war Manhattan apartments, we would love to hear from you.
Current Openings: We do not have any open positions. Please check back or contact us to express interest in future opportunities.
Academic & Professional Affiliations
HONORS + AWARDS
Design awards recognize our commitment to revealing hidden potential in Manhattan homes and creating spaces that inspire celebration.
- Fire Island Bungalow Winner: GOLD WINNER Houzee Awards [2024]: Space Transformation in Architecture and WINNER BLT Design Awards [2023]: Interior Design / Residential
- Gramercy Pied à Terre: GOLD WINNER Houzee Awards [2024]: Compact Living Design – Interior and Honorable Mention: BLT Design Awards [2023]: Interior Design / Residential
- Upper West Side Townhouse: Honorable Mention BLT Design Awards [2023]: Architectural Design / Residential
- Post Graduate William Kinne Traveling Fellowship Prize: Columbia University [1996]
- Lowenfish Memorial Prize: Columbia University [1996]
- Kinne Summer Traveling Fellowship: Columbia University [1993]
- Honors Thesis: Dartmouth College [1992]
- Winner of Great Bear III Cabin Design: Dartmouth College [1990]
PRESS
- Women of Dartmouth Inspire video
- CELEBRITY HOMES: Fans of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Can Now Live in the Building From the Show: Architectural Digest [April 19, 2018; by Joyce Chen]
- COOL LISTINGS: Pre-war Beauty: 6SQFT [April 19, 2018; by Michelle Cohen]
- GIMME SHELTER: Live in the building made famous by ‘Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’: New York Post [April 18, 2018; by Jennifer Gould Keil]
- West Side Story: Interior Design [July 2000; by Julia Lewis]
CREDENTIALS
- Registered Architect, State of New York [2000 – present]
- AIA member, New York City Chapter [Current]
- NCARB Certified Record
- WBE Certified, State of New York [2006]
- LEED / USGBC Environmental Design Workshop [2002]
TEACHING
- Columbia GSAPP: Ongoing guest juror for midterm reviews, final reviews. Mentor in the monthly “Tuesday Talks” program
- Pratt School of Design: Guest juror for final review [2024]
- New York Institute of Technology: Adjunct Professor of Architecture [2014]. Taught programming, design of housing to third-year students in the School of Architecture’s 5-year professional degree program
- New Jersey Institute of Technology: Adjunct Professor of Architecture [2007-2012]. Taught programming, design of housing, schools to third-year students in the School of Architecture’s 5-year professional degree program. Returns as a guest juror for midterm reviews, final reviews
- Parsons School of Design: Adjunct Associate Professor. Construction Documents [2006]. Materials + Methods [2003-2004]
LECTURES
- Columbia University School of Professional Studies, Strategic Communication Graduate program: “Data in Architecture” [2021; 2023]
- Dartmouth College Alumni, Women of Dartmouth: “New York City Apartments” [2016]
- Parsons School of Design: “Understanding Light + Lighting” [2002]
EXHIBITS
- AIA Annual Subway Exhibit: West 4th Street subway station, NYC [October 2010; 2011; 2012; 2013]
- Negotiation + Duration exhibit: Columbia University, NYC [Spring 2000]
- Exchanging Views exhibit: Columbia University, NYC [Spring 1994]
- Waseda University Studio Installation: Waseda University, Tokyo Campus [Summer 1993]
EDUCATION
- Columbia University, GSAPP: M.Arch with honors [1996]
- Research Assistant to Mary McLeod [Summer 1993]
- Dartmouth College: B.A. Art History cum laude [1992]
- Columbia University, Atelier Columbia, New York / Paris [1990/91]
- The Dalton School [1988]