Domestic Design has fulfilled the needs of homeowners and builders throughout West Michigan since 1997 and now serves the Northeast Georgia area since 2004.  The name of the company started out as a fictitious company name for a high school architectural project by the original owner: Richard Gunderman.  Since that time it has expanded into a profitable business as he has continued using it to provide him with part-time income throughout college in Michigan. 

    After obtaining his State of Michigan Builders' License in 2000 and his first degree, which was in Architectural Construction Technology in 2001, he moved from Muskegon, MI to Big Rapids, MI to further his education.  It was there where he officially registered the business in 2001.  While also obtaining degrees in both Building Construction Technology and Construction Management, his primary emphasis was to improve the quality of architectural blueprints from the perspective of the Builder, knowing that Architects and Contractors have had a long history of conflicting interests as stakeholders in a construction project. 

    He says, "I've been working since I was 13 years old and having worked for a Contractor, a Subcontractor, an Architect, and a Building Material Supplier, I've gained an aerial perspective of  the entire construction process.  That's what has given me the entrepreneurial edge in business and it instills confidence in my clients.  My overall, practical knowledge combined with diverse and current technical skills show.  At that point, they know they are getting something valuable; something they can't find anywhere else.  Then they quit worrying about my age.  When they see the 'finished product,' they're almost always pleasantly surprised and pay me with a genuinely, satisfied smile.  It's a great feeling."

    In Rich's senior year at Ferris, Domestic Design had gotten so busy that he had to hire some help from their Architectural Department so that his grades didn't suffer.  He had seriously considered concentrating on the business as a sole source of income after graduation, however, he decided otherwise after graduation in order to have health insurance, benefits, and a steady paycheck, while gaining more experience in the Construction Industry.

    He says, "I just got an offer I couldn't refuse and so now I'll be building a lot of houses in Georgia.  Knowing how to build for different codes and climates will broaden my horizons greatly and enhance the services I can offer.  Plus the weather is much nicer down here.  Maybe I'll migrate when I am older to avoid the snow, except for deer season of course."