Artisans. Architects. Craftsmen. Designers.
People at AERO COLLECTIVE
Andrew Crane
Principal; AIA, NCARB, LEED AP
Curiosity has been Andrew's defining characteristic long before co-founding AERO COLLECTIVE in 2015. It was this trait that lead him to attend the Creative Problem Solving Institute in middle school and then later brought Andrew from the east coast to USC architecture school. After that, Andrew spent the next 10 years designing affordable housing, mixed-use projects, transit oriented developments, entitlements, offices, restaurants and museums at an architecture firm in the Los Angeles. These experiences formed a great appreciation for the unique type of urbanism growing here.
Andrew believes that people are the most important factor in a successful design project. Having been exposed to the intricate process of how individual projects contribute to the successful growth of cities lead him to this appreciation. Architecture and the built environment can influence people's experiences, on both a personal and communal level. Whether it is a home found in an affordable housing project, a new passion illuminated at an art museum, a healthier lifestyle choice made at a health clinic, a new career fostered in an office or friendships formed over dinner at a restaurant; Andrew's passion is guiding communities and individuals to realize their architectural endeavors.
Cesar Aguirre
Principal; NCARB
As a native of Los Angeles, Cesar is committed to the progressive growth of the city. Previously, while working for PSL Architects, Cesar took on multiple affordable housing projects, which resulted in constructed living spaces for many LA communities. While his work was focused primarily on residential projects, it became painfully apparent to him that Los Angeles was far then, and is still far now, from providing adequate affordable housing for all of its residents.
Cesar believes that the strength of cities and communities lies in having a focused, unique sense of place and identity. At AERO COLLECTIVE, he continues to explore the positive impact that housing and density have on the identity of neighborhoods, while he also understands that there is great potential for vitality and creativity right in the City of Inglewood, where the firm is located. These two observations give Cesar vision that AERO can grow in Inglewood, but also create a positive impact in it and beyond.
Brion Moran
Principal
In his previous position, Brion came to appreciate the importance of providing in-depth, full-service architectural work, and he strives to bring that to every relationship he has through AERO COLLECTIVE.
Brion's experience in working on large mixed-use projects built in him the knowledge and confidence to take on small- and large-scale residential and commercial projects. Every project, regardless of scale, brings its own unique challenges, and Brion relishes the experience and education gained from each endeavor.
Evelyn Martinez
Designer
Evelyn joined the AERO COLLECTIVE dream team in 2015 after graduating with a Bachelor's of Architecture degree from the University of Southern California. She works primarily on designing multi-family housing, affordable housing and retail projects. On her daily commute to the Inglewood office, she enjoys passing by her favorite buildings, which include the Vajra bookstore and The Miracle Theatre on Market Street.
Since The Miracle Theatre is currently an AERO COLLECTIVE project, Evelyn sees this as a unique opportunity to help design and develop the community she works in.
Christopher Rivera
Designer
Originally from Gulfport, Mississippi, Christopher made the move to Los Angeles after graduating with a Bachelor’s of Architecture from Mississippi State University. He joined the AERO COLLECTIVE team in Spring 2015. He continues to work on various types of projects from residential to retail and office spaces. Christopher enjoys 3D-modeling as well as building physical models in his spare time.
As the office biker, he believes that cities should focus their efforts on becoming inviting and friendly places for the people.
Catherine McLaughlin
PLA, LEED AP
Having spent many years working in the Santa Monica Mountains, Catherine has developed a deep understanding of our stunning Southern California ecosystem and the plants that compose it. She has cultivated a language for her personal work that incorporates this in all spaces and scales of project, whether they are wild or urban. She believes that as awareness of these plants and their unique needs increases, so must the paradigm for design, installation and maintenance of our gardens in Southern California. Her drive for intentional stewardship is ever-present and she strives to create work where values, experience and viewpoint can impact the long-term success of many scales of project. Her goal is to continue to create a language and body of work that will inspire people to understand their roles as stewards of the soil. She believes that with greater connection to the land, people will make better choices for themselves and the environment they inhabit.