Alan Schlossberg

Many architects found their roots building things in their youth. Alan discovered it designing sets for theater productions in college. That was his focus as an undergrad at Carnegie Mellon, but after taking electives in architecture history and theory, he shifted his attention from shows to the studio. 

Alan had early exposure to the technical side of the industry, doing summer intern work for his father’s electrical engineering company. But he quickly realized the creative side was much more appealing for him. Living near New York, visiting theaters, museums, and great buildings with his family, also influenced him. 

He developed a special interest in education design while working for a New York firm better known for skyscrapers – Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. There he worked closely with senior designer Roger Duffy, who started a small education practice within the firm. His kinship with Duffy, also a CMU graduate, fostered an expertise in education that Alan continues to bring to clients every day. 

At DesignGroup, Alan specialized in design for higher education, community, science & technology, and commercial use. His local experience includes work with the University of Pittsburgh, Penn State University, and Faros Properties.

His favorite tool as an architect? Observation. “I love seeing a space,” he says, “How it works, how people behave in it, and translating that into things we create.” Makes perfect sense – as they say, all the world’s a stage.