About

Dennis Allain AIA is an architect/illustrator who has been practicing architecture and creating artwork for over a quarter century. 

Allain’s work stands out as unique in the world of architectural visualization, balancing the use of digital painting tools of this era with a sensibility that is profoundly rooted in the traditional past. Most notably with such works as Saint Georges Church (First Place Formal category 2008) and the critically acclaimed painting The Arthur V. McCarthy Memorial (Hugh Ferris winner 2006) earning him an international reputation as an innovative leader in the world of architectural design and illustration.

As an illustrator and architect (registered MA 2000); Allain continually contributes creative design and groundbreaking illustrative content for a cross section of nationally known industry leaders, some of which include: Hasbro, Disney, Elkus|Manfredi, Lego, HMV Records, Hyatt, MGM, Universal Studios, AT&T and ESPN.

Allain's illustrations have found their way into dozens of national and international publications. His design work for Disney's 42nd Street retail store was published in Time magazine. His avant-garde imagery has also been featured in countless publications including: 3DWorld, Computer Arts, Spectrum, Expose 1+2, and Architectural Record. His surrealist image Scoob graced the cover of Design magazine (an international graphics publication). His most recent work can be seen in: Digital Art Masters: vol6 (2011), 3dArtist magazine (Jan 2010) and in the book 'Architectural Rendering' by DOM publishing, (Dec 2009).

Allain was born in Salem Massachusetts in 1967 and grew up in the small town of Danvers, 20 miles north of Boston. Allain went on to attend Wentworth Institute of technology, Boston. By 1990, he had earned both his Associate degree in Engineering and a Bachelor degree in Architecture. In the Fall of 1990 Allain studied at the Societe Dante Alligeri Venice, Italy. Upon his return home, Allain had found employment with several Boston based architectural and Interior design firms. His longest tenure was with Elkus Manfredi Architects LTD from 1995 through 2005.

Allain's passions for art and design have always been a focus in his professional life. In late 2004 Dennis Allain announced the creation of his new Boston based design studio, dedicated to providing inspired architectural design and visionary illustration that both challenges the imagination and invigorates the creative process.


‘Art is the lie that enables us to see the truth’

– Picasso


H O N O R S  +  A W A R D S

2020: Hugh Ferriss Memorial Prize
American Society of Architectural Illustrators, Singular highest achievement award in the field of architectural illustration 2020 First Place, Formal Category,

2020: One Rendering Challenge
Commended Entry, one of ten such honors awarded internationally. Art competition celebrating graphic storytelling

2019: ‘Max Burman Jurors Award’
One of only three such honors awarded during the annual Architecture in Perspective International competition

2018: First Place, Formal Category, American Society of Architectural Illustrators

2017: ‘Award of Excellence’ Architecture In Perspective 32

2016: First Place, Formal Category, American Society of Architectural Illustrators

2015: ‘Don Schmidt Jurors Award’
One of only three such honors awarded during the annual Architecture in Perspective International competition

2015: Members' Choice Award
American Society Of Architectural Illustrators, Designated by the membership as the best architectural image formal or informal of that year, worldwide

2014: ‘Award of Excellence’ Architecture In Perspective 29

2014: CGTalk ‘Editors Choice’ for ‘Irongore vs The Invaders from Space’(2010)

2013: ‘Natalay Getegno Jurors Award’
One of only three such honors awarded during the annual Architecture in Perspective International competition

2012: ‘Award of Excellence’ Architecture In Perspective 27

2011: ‘Award of Excellence’ Architecture In Perspective 26

2010: ‘Wei Dong Jurors Award’
One of only three such honors awarded during the annual Architecture in Perspective International competition

2009: ‘Award of Excellence’ Architecture In Perspective 24

2009: CGTalk ‘Choice Award’
for ‘The Devils Cauldron

2008: Members' Choice Award
American Society Of Architectural Illustrators, Designated by the membership as the best architectural image formal or informal of that year, worldwide

2008: First Place, Formal Category, American Society of Architectural Illustrators

2007: Members' Choice Award
American Society of Architectural Illustrators, Designated by the membership as the best architectural image formal or informal of that year, worldwide

2007: ‘Award of Excellence’ Architecture in Perspective 22

2006: Hugh Ferriss Memorial Prize
American Society of Architectural Perspectivists, Singular highest achievement award in the field of architectural illustration 2006 First Place, Formal Category,

2005: First Place, Formal Category, American Society of Architectural Illustrators

2004: ‘Award of Excellence’ Architecture In Perspective 19

2004: CGTalk ‘Choice Award’
for Bluebeards Demise

2004: Digital Hero Award
Architectural still (nominee, 1 of 4 worldwide)

2001: ‘Kevin Forseth Jurors Award’
One of only three such honors awarded during the annual Architecture in Perspective International competition 


P U B L I C A T I O N S

3D ARTIST Magazine

3DWorld Magazine

Digital Art Masters

Computer Arts Magazine

Design Graphics Magazine

Time Magazine

Architectural Record

Architecture in Perspective

Spectrum

Expose 1

Expose 2

Improper Bostonian

Design Times

The Architectural Capriccio by Lucien Steil 2014

Hybrid Drawing Techniques by Gil Gorski 2015

CDW Magazine

Boston Herald

Boston Globe

Digital Production Workshop  01|10

Architectural Rendering by Fabio Schillaci 2009