Our name attempts to capture the thoughtful way we approach our craft. Specifically:

Aspect is defined as “appearance to the eye”, and “the way in which something can be considered”. As a personal builder, we are involved in every Aspect of our client’s Design and Build. Each project is personal, unique, and the details are carefully thought out so that we are able to achieve the client’s Aspect of the project.

Design is a creative process with several Aspects within each project. Home design marries individual lifestyle needs with a mix of architectural lines, massing, lighting, colors, and textures. Cohesively blending them to allow form and function to be beautiful, unique, and tailored to each client.

Build is structure, but perhaps more importantly reflects the entire project from start to finish. Being involved in every Aspect from the beginning, we are able to continually reference our client’s vision, and interpret the Build through the their eyes, not our own. Our goal isn’t to build a house and move on. Our desire is to be with the client every step of the way in hopes of providing a custom solution to each client’s unique real estate need as a whole. It’s a service that only a personal builder could provide.

We were brought up to believe that a strong, personal connection is at the foundation of an effective relationship. We bring that same core value to Aspect Design Build. In times that have become more and more impersonal, we strive for the opposite. The two of us are involved in every phase of Aspect Design Build, which ensures an emphasis on relationships with both our clients and each professional we work with.

Involved in the process. From the architect and loan provider to the plumber and finish carpenter, our established partnerships mean clients can be assured our professional affiliates share in our commitment to quality and detail. To that end, we choose to work with a limited number of clients each year to provide the kind of tailored, personal attention and communication needed to deliver on the Design Build promise. That’s what we feel it means to be a personal builder.

Our partnership was bred out of our passion for real estate, for caring about the details, and the desire to create something unique… something special. Trust was forged on the ice rink, while playing hockey together at The Colorado College (During the WCHA era, before the Big Ten – don’t get us started on that league!)

After college, our individual career paths kept us in the mountains of Colorado. In 2012, we made the decision to join our expertise and founded Aspect West Builders. There, we built a few showcase homes and pursued various real estate transactions. While each of us loved Colorado, we found with our young children, the yearning for our family roots in MN were too intense to ignore. We made the life-decision to move back “home” to Minnesota and established Aspect Design Build.

Relying on previous relationships and connections, we have been able to assemble a very experienced and respected team of professionals.

Shaun: I have a long-standing vision to bring home building back to its core roots. To recreate certain ideologies of what the craft used to be, and infuse them into 21st century home building practices. There was a time when a builder was a cornerstone of the community, a person who helped not only construct, but also shape the town. Someone that could be trusted for their expertise, skill, and hard work. Often, I hear people say, “They don’t build houses like they used to”. I agree, they don’t build houses like they used to. With new technologies like engineered structural components, designed mechanical systems, and more durable products, houses today are built better. Or, at least the opportunity is there to build them better. As a home builder, our job is to blend the best of old and new. I love to work alongside our clients, with the goal of creating a home that they love and holds lasting value to both the client and the community.

Tom: I absolutely love being part of a business that is both team-based and unique. Home building is a profession that offers different challenges daily, which keeps it interesting. Bringing so many different, markedly skilled people together is a challenging and sometimes tough, but extremely rewarding process. Without a great team of individuals coming together, building a house would be a daunting challenge. However, when you put the right group of people together, the project ends up a well-built, distinctive, balanced structure. It starts as a house, and ends as a home.

Tom: I was born in Illinois, so my first thought brings me to my deep dish Chicago roots. Then I move to my youth, spent eating at places like Davanni’s and loving their traditional. Now, I’m drawn to that thinner pizza that is crispy on the outside, with a nice chewy crust (hello Pizzeria Lola). In the end, if I’m being honest here, I feel pizza is like bacon…even bad stuff is still pretty good. Except when olives are added.

Shaun: That’s an easy one, Dave’s Pizza in Bemidji, MN and it doesn’t matter if it’s deep dish, traditional, or thin crust. Dave’s has been a family owned business in my hometown since 1958. It was located three blocks from my high school, it was the pizza joint when my parents were in school, and it has always been operated by the same family-based, cornerstone of the community values that I appreciate. It’s also hands down the best pizza I have ever had. I like pizza with a lot of sauce and theirs is the best.