We had the good fortune of connecting with Rich Reed and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rich, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
As an architect I have worked with huge architecture firms here in Atlanta. They all had the same underlying structure issues, one person on a team was solely responsible for designing, usually the project manager, and everyone else on the team was responsible for carrying out that design in some capacity. Not only that, vertical movement in firms is rare and difficult. Because of this, my thought process in starting my own studio was to make a difference and create a very intimate experience with each of my clients that impacts their lives on a personal level. I wanted to stand out by bringing my clients into the process of dreaming of what is possible with their ideas, designing those ideas through various media of drawings and sketches, and finally discovering what they have designed as final product whether it’s their home or business — hence my mantra: Dream. Design. Discover. I am a creator and needed to express that through the built environment, rejecting the mundane, boring designs. As an architect, I have an opportunity to impact the community with my work, expertise and knowledge. I create an experience in buildings or in homes that sometimes cannot change, so I have a huge responsibility to make that experience special, unique and timeless. 

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Simply, my eye for design, creativity, and thinking outside of the box. True story: I used to get criticized for “thinking too big” or outside of the box. People typically like to, “play it safe” and I was never one of those. I have always been rebellious, and I take that into my designs to not be the norm. I am most proud of my first year in business as I did better than I expected and then some, which gave me the confidence that I was doing something right. I got to this point by listening to those that have done it before, making HUGE mistakes, always learning and evolving, and just by doing – not being afraid to start. No, this wasn’t easy but the “not easy” makes it worth it and the value substantial. I want the world to understand that a minority architect can change lives, impact people every single day and compete with the best of them.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Atlanta is so eclectic and has so many cool places. Being that I am a city person, on the weekends we would definitely get out of the city and go to the North Georgia Mountains to hike and catch all the cool views on trails- especially Blood Mountain. When I lived in Atlantic Station, they usually have events and a ton of restaurants but I would typically take friends shopping so we can always be fresh and clean. Experiencing the Beltline is a must, starting from the Piedmont Park entrance. You will see art, may stop at a brewery, ride the scooters, visit Ponce City Market to eat and simply people watch. Old Fourth Ward is so eclectic that you can literally wander and stumble onto amazing places. My personal favorite restaurants: BeetleCat-for brunch and dinner off of North Highland, Hampton and Hudson off of North Highland for drinks and atmosphere. Ladybird off the Beltline for dinner and people watching. Superica in Krog Street Market. But… I have to recommend one of the best BBQ places in Atlanta and that is Daddy D’z off of Memorial. Experiences that I have had and would share with my best friend would be a murder mystery dinner show, indoor skydiving and escape room. No time to sleep when there’s so much to do and experience.  

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Ah man, so many people but Elroy Sutherland took me under his wing when I was a very young architect and taught me so much and set a solid foundation to my career and Architect + Entrepreneur by Eric Reinholdt helped jump start my business.

Website: www.richdesign.studio
Instagram: work: richdesignstudio | personal: triordie3 | photography: richpics01
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/richdesignstudio
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1504053621

Image Credits:
I also have a passion in photography which can be seen in my work and on my social media platforms. I take all my own pictures.

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