History

History

Altieri started in a garage in 1959

For 65 years, Altieri, as our firm is now known, has been driven by a steadfast commitment to excellence and clients’ design aspirations. We have designed engineering systems for scores of iconic buildings that enrich our cultural heritage and contribute to our built environment, working in partnership with many of the most celebrated architects of our time. We are very proud of our legacy and the role we continue to play supporting our clients as they shape the architectural landscape.

History Garages

Our development of the master plan for The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1970 launched four decades of work (over 300 projects!) at the venerable institution and became the foundation of our renown for creative engineering design. A portfolio of over 4600 projects to date is further testament to our leadership in the design and seamless integration of building systems.

“The nature of our projects requires a specialized way of thinking – one that keeps us striving for original and inventive ways to meet challenging design issues. These can range from supporting a minimalist architectural vision to pursuing new techniques that will achieve an aggressive energy footprint. Altieri’s approach, versatility, and mastery are why our clients keep coming back to us.”

Kari A. Nystrom, PE, LEED AP BD+C, Principal
Wwii Us Freedom Pavilion
US Freedom Pavilion – The Boeing Center at The National WWII Museum in New Orleans, Mathes Brierre Architects. Altieri’s project team, led by Kari Nystrom, the firm’s first woman principal, has been involved in every phase of the 10-phase project since 2004. © Susan Fisher Plotner/Altieri

More highlights of our story

Yale Art Architecture Building
Yale Art & Architecture Building, Paul Rudolph

Mid-1960s

John Altieri meets Paul Rudolph, then chairman of the School of Architecture at Yale University. This opportune meeting begins a six-decade (and ongoing) relationship with the University. Over 40 projects to date include renovation of Rudolph’s Art & Architecture Building at the University.

1978

Joe Renzulli and Gary Scofield join the Altieri team. Joe and Gary are currently our longest-tenured employees… almost 46 years each!

1986-1997

The Getty Center involves construction of a new 940,000 SF museum complex as a single project. Altieri designs all MEPF systems and is on the job through to completion. An unprecedented undertaking, the project meets and advances state-of-the-art in museum technology in almost every area, including California’s rigorous Title 24 energy legislation. The Getty Center is the first existing building in the United States to achieve LEED certification – awarded 8 years after opening and based on Altieri’s designs from a period preceding the introduction and implementation of the LEED process.

The Getty Center
Aerial view of The Getty Center designed by Richard Meier & Partners
Rose Center For Earth And Space
Rose Center for Earth and Space, Ennead Architects. © Jeff Goldberg/Esto

1990

We begin working with the American Museum of Natural History. Our relationship with the iconic museum continues to this day with over 80 projects including the Rose Center for Earth and Space completed in 2000 and Northwest Coast Hall completed in 2022.

2000s

Our portfolio of projects with renowned architects grows to include Taniguchi (Museum of Modern Art), Frank Gehry (Philadelphia Museum of Art), Tadao Ando (The Clark Art Institute), and Rafael Moneo (Rhode Island School of Design).

Back at the office, Kari Nystrom becomes the first woman principal in Altieri’s history.

Pma Core Project
Frank Gehry’s Philadelphia Museum of Art Core Project. © Steve Hall

2010

Work begins on The Obama Presidential Center, designed by Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects | Partners.

Opc Plaza Obama Foundation
Rendering courtesy of Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects | Partners and Obama Foundation

“For the past 15 years, Altieri has consistently been our go-to firm for MEP / FP engineering. Their work across all project types, large and small, is executed with the same far-reaching, conceptually rigorous, thoughtful yet flexible approach. We trust, respect and like them so much we joked that we should just have desks in our studio for their team. They deliver brilliantly each and every time.”

Tod Williams & Billie Tsien, Founding Partners, Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects | Partners

2020s

Altieri wins coveted Most Innovative Project awards from the Architectural Engineering Institute for Corning Museum of Glass Contemporary Art + Design Wing and Amphitheater Hot Shop (2020) and Glenstone Museum (2022).

We expand! 171 Milk Street in Boston becomes Altieri’s second office, strengthening relationships with valued clients and developing new associations in a region where we’ve worked since the mid-1980s.

Nec Student Life Performance Center
Student Life and Performance Center at New England Conservatory, Ann Beha Architects, now Annum Architects. © Peter Vanderwarker

“Altieri can start with a project at any stage – interview through design and construction. They have the ability, in the same way we do, to speak to many different audiences whether leadership, facilities, contractors. They are able to move back and forth between design and construction with a versatility that is very helpful to us. Altieri is with you every step of the way.”

Philip B. Chen, FAIA, LEED AP, Principal and President, Annum Architects

By any measure, a remarkable team

Education. Certifications. Experience. Diversity. Personality. Interests. No matter how you look at the Altieri team, you find a fascinating mix of backgrounds that come together in collaborative project teams to solve the most complex and ambitious engineering challenges.
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Top Workplaces Ribbon 2024
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