Chances are, if you live in or near Berkshire County, you've been in a building designed or built by Allegrone Companies. The design-build firm focuses its work on multifamily housing, healthcare, educational, and retail, as well as cultural and historic landmarks. Allegrone is currently restoring the Ford Wood walls and Terreplein of the Statue of Liberty which is the star-shaped base upon which lady liberty sits.
Anthony Allegrone ’07 holds the role of Director of Design at the family business. His responsibilities include development and advancement in Design-Build project delivery, bringing the design and construction teams together during early planning, managing the architecture, engineering, and interior design teams, all while serving as the company's lead architect. The company's more recent projects include Bousquet Mountain Ski Lodge, Reed Street Bank & Residences, and Hot Plate Brewery, all located in Pittsfield, Mass.
"Our broad range in project experience is a result of our focus on client information gathering and multidisciplinary team collaboration within the design process to arrive at successful building solutions for a variety of uses," says Anthony.
Following Berkshire School, Anthony received his bachelor's and master's degree in architecture from Wentworth Institute of Technology, and he's currently a licensed architect in Massachusetts and Connecticut.
What led you to study for a career in architecture?
In many ways, I suppose studying architecture was a natural fit for me for a few reasons. Growing up, my father ran a successful construction business and therefore, I was exposed to the industry at a very young age. Then you add a strong interest in the visual arts that I got from my mother, who is incredibly artistic. The architectural profession and pursuit of becoming a licensed architect eventually fell into place. Architecture, in many ways, is a balance between the practical components of construction and the artistic approach to painting. I will say though, that it wasn’t necessarily all that simple of a decision—architecture wasn’t always on my mind as the obvious choice for a career path. During the first three years of studying in high school, architecture really never crossed my mind—like most students in high school, a career wasn’t really on my radar in the same way as my passion for sports. It wasn’t until I landed at Berkshire School that the profession started to make sense to me. Berkshire gave me the opportunity to enhance and explore my artistic talent through the visual arts by way of advanced painting and digital art classes—an opportunity to study a curriculum that catered specifically towards my talents and interests. Even as an athlete, I was able to get an art education after class in lieu of playing a third sport—this really allowed me to enhance my focus on the arts. After two years at Berkshire, a senior year, and post-grad, my career path eventually became obvious and exciting, and I have Berkshire to thank for that.
What trends, if any, have you seen in the industry?
Downsizing, sustainability, reduction, reuse, and simplify—are some trends that come to mind. These things speak to a strong direction the profession is taking—the goal to reduce our carbon footprint and achieve a sustainable future which is of no surprise to anyone at this point. One of the reasons I love architecture is that it’s responsible for enhancing the comfortability, safety, and enjoyment of our everyday lives. After all, we spend most of the hours of our days experiencing architecture. With that in mind, you can imagine the importance of sustainability, especially since the construction industry is responsible for a substantial portion of our greenhouse gas emissions. To me, architecture is about working with nature, not against it. To achieve innovative and creative building environments that enhance the comfortability and excitement of humanity, yet still encourage the outdoors as an occupiable space just as much as the indoors and focus on what is needed the most in an effort to reduce and simplify the built environment for the sustainable future we’re after.
What are your fondest memories of your time under the Mountain?
They all revolve around the time spent with the incredible friends you make and the relationships that result. Waking up early to hit the gym, the sports, the art, and the culture. All of it shared with amazing people created lasting memories and friendships that, in many ways, are still just as strong now as they were during those days at Berkshire, even though we all have our own lives at this point. Berkshire really is a joyful place to live and learn. Even though I grew up in the Berkshires, and it’s easy for me to say, Berkshire School always seemed to make people feel at home by way of the picturesque environment and the relationships you build.
In what ways is your Berkshire experience present in your life today?
I owe plenty of what I do every day as an architect to what Berkshire School taught me, so it’s fairly easy to say the school had a lasting impact and is very much present in my life today. The education I received focused on my talent, which then led me to an amazing college education at Wentworth Institute of Technology, and now a career I’m proud of that includes running my own firm. Although the architectural profession has a strong practical and technical component that can really only be gained in architecture school and experience, I still use the same skills I learned at Berkshire every week in my design studio—from how to properly shade to show depth when painting or sketching, to how to write when preparing presentations and building permit documents.
If you could offer any piece of advice to today’s students, what would it be?
Embrace the time you have during your life at Berkshire. It goes quickly, and the environment, faculty, and friendships will teach you a ton the more you embrace it. In some ways, looking back, I wish I had more than two years there. But it’s not just about the school, the age you are during your time at Berkshire can really set the stage for what’s to come, so find the balance between the work you put into your studies and the great times you’ll have outside of your education by being a part of a great community.