Detroit Architects: Aaron H. Gould & Son

Founded by Nova Scotia native and Boston-educated architect Aaron H. Gould, Aaron H. Gould & Son was an architectural design firm located in Detroit in the early 20th century whose body of work had a major impact on the city’s streetscape during its period of rapid economic growth and industrial ascension.

Known for their versatile and intricate designs, Aaron H. Gould & Son produced a wide variety of commercial, municipal, and institutional buildings across the United States, which eventually led to Aaron H. Gould becoming chief architect for Wayne County for just over five years.

That said, despite having a vast catalog of work nationwide, only one confirmed residential commission of Aaron H. Gould & Son survives within the confines of Detroit: the Alexander Sydney Ramage House located at 1405 Balmoral Drive in Palmer Woods, a 1921 commission that is a perfect reflection of the firm’s mastery of charming domestic architecture.

One of many Palmer Woods commissions that would go on to bolster its reputation as a place of prestige, the Ramage House was constructed for Dr. Alexander Sydney Ramage, a renowned Detroit physician who selected Gould because he was a fan of his firm’s core design characteristics:

• Balanced façades with revival influences
• Sophisticated detailing 
• Brick masonry construction conveying permanence and social standing
• Dutch Colonial Revival styling, similar to Gould’s own residence in Massachusetts
• Spacious interior plans perfectly suited for upper-middle-class urban life

As for his later years, Gould remained a fixture in Detroit’s architectural design community all the way up until he passed away in 1930, which saw him leave behind a legacy marked by quality craftsmanship, service, and rich architectural design that stretched far beyond the Motor City.