Mahdi Alavi
project manager
Mahdi grew up in Pennsylvania and moved to Colorado to earn his Bachelor of Environmental Design from CU Boulder, followed by a Master of Architecture degree from CU Denver. While most of Mahdi’s recent experience involves large scale multifamily and hospitality projects, he cut his teeth working on a wide variety of projects from custom homes to restaurants to institutional renovations. These last 7 years working on all phases of projects has convinced Mahdi that the most effective design is the one that directly responds to the context and to the needs of the client and the end-users. These last 9 years working on all phases of projects has convinced Mahdi that the most effective design is the one that directly responds to the context and to the needs of the client and the end-users.
Get to know Mahdi
What is the most important life/career advice you have ever received?
“If you don’t pay for a product, that means that you are the product”. In other words, “there is no free lunch”. These days we have to be extra careful of supposedly ‘free’ products like apps, subscriptions, etc. If they are giving you something it means that they expect something in return. I am always mindful of this.
What is your idea of a perfect day?
A rainy day! It does not rain in Colorado a lot. But I grew up in Pennsylvania and my most cherished memories are associated with rainy days that smell of moist earth and wet fallen branches and logs in the forests around my neighborhood.
What makes our office unique?
I love the boutique office culture we have. Everyone in our team is innovative and hard-working and its a great joy to be part of such an accomplished team. I have been part of larger offices where the constant politicking and maneuvering can be exhausting. At our firm, people are open, honest, and helpful. They share their knowledge freely and there is a strong sense that we are all in this together.
What is your superpower?
I really enjoy cooking. I cook a wide variety of cuisines, but I would say my favorite cuisines are contemporary takes on Italian and American Southwestern foods. I cook every day and I think I am a great cook if I can say so myself! I guess that counts as a superpower?
Which historical figure do you find compelling? Why?
I am fascinated by Winston Churchill. He was one of the most powerful and pivotal figures in world history and yet he looked like a new-born baby smoking a cigar!