Al acquired a Master of Architecture at the University of Houston where he graduated first in his class in 1996. He then traveled to Bangkok Thailand where he taught Architectural design and related theory at King Monkut’s University of Technology, Thonburi for three years. Between 1999 and 2005 Al worked for Cassway Albert Ltd. and Agoos/Lovera Architects in Philadelphia, his experience includes multi-family housing, schools, sports stadiums, university buildings, mixed use retail, and historic preservation. Al is licensed in Oregon, Washington, and Pennsylvania and has been a LEED accredited professional since 2004 . In 2005 Al and Kannikar opened AKAAN Architecture + Design LLC.