Aaron A. Emma, RA

Architecture wasn’t written in the stars for Aaron: the inspiration was closer to home. His father is an accomplished architect, partner in Amenta/Emma Architects of Hartford, and Aaron cut his teeth in design there from age 16.

“Working for my dad’s firm in the summers I picked up CAD [computer design software] and other skills,” he says. “It is how I learned to understand what architecture is, what it can do for people; it’s where I learned to love design.”

He proceeded to earn his bachelor's degree in architecture from the Catholic University of America – spent the summer of senior year touring Europe – and then acquired his master's in architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design.

He went to work for an Oregon firm, fitting out restaurant interiors, but before long was hired by the prestigious Gwathmey Siegel & Associates in New York City. His arrival coincided with the onset of the recent recession, but Aaron survived the downsizing and soon was working side-by-side with Robert Siegel on a number of major projects, including residential towers in Abu Dhabi and a guest house for filmmaker Steven Spielberg in the Hamptons. His command of digital design software was put to use crafting pre-design presentations for job submissions and meetings with prospective clients.

Since he joined Centerbrook in 2013, Aaron has worked on a variety of projects, including the award-winning Thompson Exhibition Building at Mystic Seaport Museum, the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at Saint Andrew's School, the Commons for Global Study and Engagement at Connecticut College, and Carlson's Landing at Essex Boat Works. When not at his desk, Aaron can be found fishing or ice skating on Mill Pond behind the studio.

• Adept in Revit, Form-z, Rhinoceros 3D, etc.
• Caught and released a six-pound largemouth bass in his first week here
• Skates pretty well for a street hockey player