Long before Aaron Steen became an architectural designer, he was watching his father—a master craftsman—design and build custom homes, handcrafted cabinetry, and custom furniture. Seeing his father’s sketches become real spaces sparked Aaron’s lifelong interest in design.
Today, as Lead Architectural Designer at Scroggs Construction Services, Aaron helps homeowners bring those same kinds of ideas to life. We caught up with him to talk about his path to Scroggs, the design principles he values most, and what inspires him both on and off the job.
1. How long have you been with Scroggs, and what made you want to join the team?
I joined Scroggs Construction Services in April 2024. My background is in design, starting with furniture before I completed my master’s in architecture in 2009. But honestly, my fascination with design started long before that, watching my dad turn sketches into furniture and homes.
I remember him sketching on paper and then seeing it become a real space you could stand in, cabinets you could open and close. That’s what hooked me: the idea that a drawing on a page could eventually become somewhere a family builds their life. Joining Scroggs gave me the chance to be part of that entire journey, from the first conversation with a client all the way to seeing the finished project come to life.
2. As Lead Architectural Designer, what’s your favorite part of turning a client’s vision into reality?
My favorite part is the look on a client’s face when they see a solution they hadn’t imagined for themselves.
I’m currently working on a project for a mother who is adding a fully independent living suite to her daughter’s home, essentially its own house connected to the original, complete with a kitchen and living room. We went through a couple of different design directions before it clicked. She wanted a large central island tying the two rooms together and connecting the whole space to the view, but we had limited square footage to work with.
Watching that idea finally come together, and knowing it’s being built entirely around how she wants to live, is exactly the kind of moment I love.
3. What’s one design feature or detail you think every homeowner should consider, regardless of the size of their project?
Every homeowner should think about natural light and how people move through their home.
A thoughtful layout creates natural flow between rooms, and smart window placement can completely change how a home feels throughout the day. Great design isn’t about adding square footage. It’s about making what you already have work harder and feel more connected to the outdoors.
4. Outside of work, what are you most likely to be doing on a weekend?
Outside of work, you’ll usually find me knee-deep in Big Laurel Creek with a fly rod alongside my son, or exploring small-town antique and thrift shops with my daughter. She’s got a good eye for finds I’d probably walk right past.
At home, I’m easily outnumbered between my daughter’s Great Dane, Arya, who’s more of an outside horse than an inside dog, and our cat, Beans, who’s convinced he runs the place. Those moments help me unplug, recharge, and spend quality time with my family.
5. If you could design your dream home with no budget limits, what’s one feature you’d absolutely include, and why?
That’s a tough one. I love a well-planned outdoor living area, but I’d have to say a dedicated study with floor-to-ceiling built-in bookshelves, inspired by the one my grandfather had growing up.
It feels fitting, since my dad was the one who first showed me how a sketch becomes a real room, and my grandfather’s study is the one I still picture when I think about my own. I’ve always had a passion for genealogy and history, so having a quiet place to read, learn, and reflect would be a dream. I hope someday it becomes a place where my own grandchildren discover our family’s stories and add a few of their own.