Deutchtown Haus
SD,DD,CD,CA
2020-2024
Pittsburgh, PA
Located in the historic Deutchtown neighborhood of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, this 1868 italianate rowhouse was originally constructed by John Stoke, a filecutter in what was then Allegheny City.
In the years following it’s construction, Mr. Stoke would add a blacksmith shop to the west of the original structure. This shop would eventually be demolished and replaced by a larger rowhouse abutting the western masonry wall of the Stokes home. Development of the city continued through the late 1800s with a succession of homes that would eventually define the historic district of Deutchtown. By 2019, after multiple remondels, and 150 years of serving Pittsburgh families, the home had eventually fallen to disrepair and was in need of rehabilitation.
Prior to removing any finishes, the home’s construction appeared to be typical of the region: 2-wythe brick on a stone foundation. After further investigation, it was discovered that during initial construction in 1868, only the three weather-exposed walls were constructed with a foundation or masonry construction. This wall (abutting the pre-1868 rowhouse to the east) consisted of balloon framing directly against the wood siding of the adjacent home. The studs of this wall run from roof to basement, bearing on soil.
By 2019, the home’s original plaster and lathe walls had been covered with a variety of materials including gypsum board, venetian plaster, and even what appeared to be chickenwire and quickcrete. Prior modifications to the home significantly altered it from it’s original 1860’s condition, but some historic features such as the first floor stair remained.
As owner, designer and contractor, this project was slowly completed over four years of evenings and weekends. The project began with an extensive interior demolition follwed by a top-down room-by-room renovation.
While the project aimed to preserve original building elements where feasible, much of the 1860s construction had been removed or damaged during more contemporary renovations. Deteriorated elements beyond repiar were removed and replaced with improved materials. Where feastures could be saved, they were repaired and improved to exentuate the character of the home.
Boulder House
CD, CA
2016
Boulder, CO
Located on a one-acre lot in a dense residential neighborhood, this residence was designed to feel open and inviting to the existing outdoor landscape while simultaneously maintaining a sense of privacy.
The home was designed as three masses. Each mass was defined by its primary function: living, sleeping, and storage. Sleeping and living masses were designed in a modified axial plan, divided by hevay concrete walls and linked by a generous entryway that blends interior and exterior spaces to create a single living experience.
Ample wall openings were provided at strategic angles to maintain a privacy between each programmatic mass. Views to the rear yard were prioritized, while clearstory windows were provided for ample daylighting.
La Frontera School
SD, DD
2016
Center, CO
In 2015, the farming community of Center, Colorado lost their local preschool to a fire. The lost building had not only acted as a vital support system for the children of Center, but also as a gathering place for the community. This project was initiated to explore potential opportunities for reconstruction of these spaces within the existing building shell.
La Frontera’s design was devloped as an expressive and creative space to celebrate the communities values. The programming called for a community space, kitchen, classrooms and an expansive playground. Each of these spaces were placed along an oversized hallway bisecting the building, designed to allow for occupants to not only circulate, but linger and interact.
Thunder Valley House
DD, CA
2012
Pine Ridge Reservation, SD
Pine Ridge is a U.S. Indian Reservation in South Dakota and home to the Oglala Lakota tribe. At the time of design, Shannon County, located in Pine Ridge, faced an 80% unemployoment rate and an average annual income below $3,000. These issues stemmed from a lack of affordable housing and land ownership.
Students from the University of Colorado joined students from the Oglala Lakota College and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology to develop designs for four homes to be construced on the reservation. These homes were designed as living laboratories to collect data on energy use and air quality. The experiement would provide data on best practicies for residential construction on the reservation.
After completing the designs, the students worked with local labor to build the first of the four homes planned for the site. This single family home was constructed using straw bale and stucco walls.
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Aaron Travers
mr.aarontravers@gmail.com
Chicago, IL
Nearly 15 years in the design and construction industry. An expert in code compliance and cross-discipline coordination.
Experience
Consultant
Irwin Code Consultants
October 2024 - Present
Architectural Associate
Jacobs
March 2024 - Present
Construction Plans Examiner
City of Pittsburgh
March 2019 - March 2024
Senior Controls Designer
Current by GE
June 2016 - March 2019
Architectural Designer
re:architecture
January 2016 - June 2016
Intern Architect/Builder
Native American Housing Initiative (NASHI)
January 2012 - January 2014
Certification
Master Code Professional
International Code Council (ICC)
Certified January 2020
- Combination Plans Examiner
- Commercial Combination Inspector
- Plumbing Plans Examiner
- Commercial Plumbing Inspector
- Building Inspector
- Residential Building Inspector
- Residential Plans Examiner
- Electrical Plans Examiner
- Commercial Electrical Inspector
- Commercial Mechanical Inspector
- Mechanical Inspector
- Fire Plans Examiner
- Commercial Building Inspector
- Building Plans Examiner
- Commercial Energy Inspector
- Residential Energy Inspector/Plans Examiner
- Commercial Energy Plans Examiner
- Accessibility Inspector/Plans Examiner
Education
BEnvD - Architecture
University of Colorado Boulder
Graduated 2012