Roman’s path to construction began in a highly creative household in Hartford, Connecticut. With an Italian father and a German mother who was a professional modern dancer, form and artistry were part of daily life. As a teenager, he worked maintenance at his private school and took up carpentry to fund his pilot’s license—an early expression of the discipline, independence, and technical fluency that would come to define his career.

After studying aeronautical engineering and working in set-building and carpentry, Roman apprenticed under master craftsmen, gradually building a reputation for precision, longevity, and deep material knowledge. He approaches construction as both craft and engineering, guided by the same rigor, systems-thinking, and respect for performance that fuels his lifelong passion for vintage planes.

Ian’s path followed a different trajectory. After studying classical cello, he returned to the Berkshires and worked as a carpenter for Roman, forging a fast friendship grounded in mutual respect and a shared sensibility for making. Ian went on to manage large-scale commercial construction projects, gaining experience on complex builds at the highest level. When he and his wife, Jade, decided to build a home in the Berkshires, Ian turned to Roman—reuniting their talents and setting the stage for a new venture.