Alan received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting, sculpture and photography, and a Master of Fine Arts in Cinematography, both from the University of California at Los Angeles. He then went on to earn a Master in Architecture from the University of California at Berkeley. Before launching his architectural career Alan helped to create a not-for-profit multimedia organization called Visual Communications, which is still in existence today, producing documentary films, books and educational materials.In 1985 Ohashi Design Studio began as a combination of studies in Architecture, furniture and teaching. Designing furniture for Conde House, a company based in Japan, Herman Miller in Michigan and teaching furniture and architecture at UC Berkeley and the California College of Arts filled out the early years of the practice. Transitioning into a pure architectural practice the initial focus was primarily on residential remodel and retail store design. More recently the firm has developed into designing large new custom residences, college campuses and museums incorporating the latest in sustainable technologies.In 2017 ODS Architecture Inc. was begun as a corporate restructuring of the sole proprietorship of Ohashi Design Studio.