Meet 2023 5 Under 40 Winner Ryan Alcaidinho

Photograph by Bruce Rogovin

Photograph by Peter Vanderwarker

Photograph by Michael J. Lee

Ryan Alcaidinho seems to have been born to be an architect. “I fell in love with the concept of architecture with LEGOs,” he says. “The pieces I had were never enough.”

Then his parents purchased the family’s first personal computer, and his sister bought a 3D home design program. “I was about eight or nine years old, and I remember looking at that CD-ROM and thinking, ‘This is what I want to do,’ ” Alcaidinho says.

Flash forward to 2010 and the newly minted architect found himself working for a Boston firm that concentrated on commercial architecture. He was plying his trade and learning new skills, but he knew he really wanted to design houses. “What I love about residential architecture is the scale,” he says. “I also like the tighter collaboration and the relationships you develop.”

Taking a leap of faith, he reached out to Hutker Architects. In no time at all, he was living on the Cape and doing the work closest to his heart. “I’m from Dartmouth, Massachusetts, so water has always been in my blood,” he says. “That’s probably why I was drawn to work for Mark Hutker.”

Alcaidinho finds himself right at home with the firm’s philosophy of working within a traditional New England vernacular in a fresh, modern way. Two years ago, he floated the idea of opening a Boston branch of Hutker Architects, and last year he moved back to the city to head up the new Beacon Street office. “I love the city energy, and I love being able to bring what we do to the city,” he says. “Bringing my design dialogue into the fabric of Boston’s really robust design community is exciting.”

Even after thirteen years with the firm, Alcaidinho never runs out of new challenges. “I’m constantly evolving my craft,” he says.

The “5 Under 40” celebration is on September 14, 2022, at the Landry & Arcari showroom in Boston. The party and auction are open to the public. Join us by purchasing your tickets here.