At Strada, we often say design is about people. Few have embodied that belief more fully than our founding principal, Alan Jesse “Al” Cuteri, AIA, LEED AP BD+C. After more than four decades in the profession and over 25 years helping to shape Strada, Al will retire on December 31, 2025.
From his earliest inspiration watching a church rise beside his grade school playground, to pursuing architecture at Carnegie Mellon despite being told it would be “too difficult,” Al’s journey is a reflection of passion and purpose. Along the way, he championed the mantra “Good Design is Good Business” during his tenure as president of AIA Pittsburgh in 1999. This philosophy continues to guide our 3 studios today.
Over his career, Al has led an impressive portfolio of transformative projects. Among his many contributions are the John Minadeo School, the historic Mifflin Elementary School renovation, the Carnegie Mellon University Cloud Lab (the world’s first university cloud lab), WVU Reynolds Hall (the new home for West Virginia University’s business school), the WVU College of Law, the University of Pittsburgh’s Barco Law School, and Pitt’s Fifth and Halket development.
As the last of Strada’s founding partners to retire, Al has been both mentor and guiding light to countless Stradistas: the designers, innovators, and thinkers who make Strada unique. His legacy lies not only in the work he helped create, but in the culture of cross-disciplinary collaboration and roll-up-your-sleeves energy he nurtured.
“Al has been the heart of Strada since day one,” said Tom Price, Strada Principal. “His love of solving complex problems, focus on mentoring, and ability to empower the individual spirit of each Stradista has left a permanent mark on Strada, our community, and our profession. We high-five his retirement with gratitude and admiration.
While December will mark his official retirement, Al will continue to be part of Strada as he helps bring current projects to completion and consults on select future work. Just as importantly, he will keep mentoring team members and sharing the wisdom, creativity, and collaborative spirit that have defined his career… and inspired all of us at Strada.