Aaron Trahan '10

Aaron is a third-year architecture student who is constantly pursuing knowledge in the environmental design field. Currently working at his second internship at Elkus Manfredi Architects in Boston, Aaron has become more exposed to green building practices while on a project team working towards LEED Certification. Along with a fellow student, Aaron was a recipient of a 2007 Provost Team Undergraduate Research Award, in conjunction with professor Kiel Moe, to learn more about new green building techniques. Opportunities like this continue to contribute to his goal of understanding the complexity and importance of sustainable design.

CO-OP ASSIGNMENTS: Aaron's first co-op took place at Kyu Sung Woo Architects, in Cambridge MA where he was the primary model builder for a project currently under construction by Northeastern University. This internship helped Aaron realize the importance of multiple iterations and studies of a concept, both digitally and in model form. Along with another Northeastern co-op student, they created a presentation model of the residence hall complex that is still used today for major presentations done by the firm.

Currently on his second co-op at Elkus Manfredi Architects, in Boston MA, Aaron has found available resources to begin studying for the LEED Certification Exam, while working on projects that span across the nation. Specializing in mixed-use development, the firm allows Aaron to work on a variety of stages and aspects of a project currently pursuing LEED Certification. Only a short length into the internship, Aaron has already had the opportunity to work on everything from Design Development, to Construction Documents and the Environmental Impact Design Review. One of the most interesting aspects of this firm to Aaron is their major presence in Boston both in past construction, and future designs currently in progress. He hopes to extend his co-op, and continue working for this firm until his departure to Italy, for a semester in Rome this coming Fall.

"Having the opportunity to live and travel in other countries will be a major contributing factor to my direction in the future", Aaron believes. Having had many opportunities to travel growing up, Aaron's interest in architecture began through these experiences.

FUTURE PLANS AND GOALS: Each of Aaron's experiences thus far has only fueled his desire for a higher education in sustainable design, and aspiration to work for large area firms. After his semester abroad, Aaron hopes to work in one of America's larger cities for his third co-op, or stay abroad if an international co-op is suitable. He hopes that his experience with an on-going research project, paired with his aspiration to be LEED Certified, will steer him in a more refined direction.