Award-winning AL_A was formed on a strong foundation of established and new projects with a reputation for work of originality and integrity. This followed the end of Levete’s 20-year partnership with the late Jan Kaplický at the highly influential Future Systems, where together they realised award-winning buildings including Selfridges department store in Birmingham and the media centre at Lord’s cricket ground.

The ethos of the office is rooted in design research and a commitment to exploring the transformative potential of space. Developments in digital fabrication have allowed the office to challenge conventional notions of form and space alongside the continued value placed on hand-drawings and hand-crafted models. The team's collaborative approach to the design process extends clients' ambitions for their projects and produces ground-breaking work.

As an extension of its design research agenda, the office uses the design of furniture and objects to explore architectural ideas and test material possibilities at a smaller, more intimate scale, and collaborates with materials manufacturers to push the boundaries of their fabrication techniques. Amanda Levete has a long-standing relationship with Established & Sons to design furniture, including the iconic Drift bench.

AL_A has recently won the international competition to design a new gallery, courtyard and entrance for the V&A Museum. The office’s portfolio includes a cultural centre in Lisbon commissioned by EDP and a residential tower on the City fringe for developer Londonewcastle.

The Central Embassy project in Bangkok started on site in early 2011 providing 1.5 million sq ft of hotel and retail for Central Retail Corporation. Construction of a new subway station in Naples is also underway in collaboration with artist Anish Kapoor, and the remodelling of a listed building in Knightsbridge, London is nearing completion.