Our Story
What started out as wishful thinking and a school project has become a remarkably successful design firm. Ann Bennion Robinson and Annie Vernon Schwemmer both dreamed of using architecture to enhance people’s lives–”That’s the very reason I wanted to become an architect”.
The group has served over 1,100 clients in the previous sixteen years.
Our Story
Years before starting the Renovation Design Group, partners Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon both dreamed of using architecture to enhance people’s lives. “That’s the very reason I wanted to become an architect,” explains Annie.
When the two women became friends while working at a Salt Lake City architectural firm, some aspects of their work situation weren’t fully allowing them to fulfill that dream. “I enjoyed designing things like high schools, business offices, and resorts, but I didn’t have the satisfaction of seeing firsthand how my work was helping people,” explains Ann. “I found myself wanting more interaction with the end-users.” Annie also began to feel frustrated because of the disconnect between herself and the people who would use the architecture she designed.
While Ann enjoyed the years of experience she gained working on a wide variety of projects, she began to see the wisdom of narrowing the focus of her practice. “Wouldn’t it be nice to become an expert in just one area?” she thought.
Ann and Annie had long been aware that many homeowners seeking design help with remodels were being turned away by traditional architectural firms which are usually set up to handle multi-million-dollar projects. The two women began to talk about how they’d like to design renovations for these homeowners. This would provide them the personal interaction they wanted with clients, while allowing them to improve people’s lives and to become experts in one area. But neither of them dreamed of actually starting their own company. “I’m not a big risk-taker,” Ann explains “and I had worked long and hard to become an architect, so I didn’t want to go back to school again to get the business background we knew we’d need to start a company.”
A School Project
In the fall of 2002, Jared Bulloch was taking a business class at the University of Utah in which he was assigned to write a business plan. When he told his wife, Lori, about the assignment, Lori mentioned that her sister, Annie Vernon, had recently talked to her about her idea for a company. Maybe Annie and Jared could help each other out?
Jared, Annie, and Ann began to casually meet to discuss the idea, though none of them ever thought it would lead to anything more than a school project for Jared. Then Jared suggested they enter their plan in a statewide business contest. “The Entrepreneurial Challenge” offered $40,000 to the winner to use to start up a business, so the three began to step things up. They spent a combined 1,000 hours on the project, which included designing a few remodels for friends.
When their proposal was one of 30 entries to make it into the semi-final round, “we started to get excited that this business idea could actually happen,” says Annie. In the end, their business plan didn’t win the contest, “but we wanted to keep going because we were having so much fun.” A few months later, in the summer of 2003, Jared, Annie and Ann resigned from their full-time jobs (Ann, the “non-risk- taker,” resigned on the same day she was asked to become a partner in her firm) and started the Renovation Design Group.
A Dream Fulfilled
What started out as wishful thinking and a school project has become a remarkably successful design firm. The group has served almost 1,000 clients in the previous twelve years.
The biggest measure of the firm’s success, say its founders, is Renovation Design’s collection of delighted customers. “Larger architectural firms seek gratification through receiving design awards. Though we have had our share of recognition, we get our rewards directly from our happy clients,” says Annie. Here are just a few examples:
“After decades of previous owners of our home trying to finish the basement on their own, our basement was a real mess. We had an idea of what we wanted down there, but didn’t know how to do it. Then we met Annie. She actually listened to what our needs were and came up with great ideas that we’d never thought of. We are just thrilled with our new basement.”
-Polly C., Harvard/Yale
“I met with three other designers before I hired Renovation Design to add a second floor to my 100-year- old house. They supplied me with a design that was just what I wanted and information that guided me through the entire remodeling process. Their product is fantastic and they are great to work with.”
-Brian H., Sugarhouse
“Renovation Design did a wonderful job redesigning our master suite. We are now in the construction process and they continue to follow through with us. If we run into any problems, Ann comes right on site to help. She says there’s always a solution to any problem, and it’s true that she always comes up with great solutions. I just can’t say enough good things about this company.”
-Sally B., Federal Heights
Ann and Annie, with the assistance of Jared, are now living their dream of making people’s lives better through the architecture they design. “I like to say we’re making the world a better place, one home at a time,” says Annie.
Let Renovation Design help you fulfill your dreams for your home today.
Our Team
Ann Bennion Robinson, A.I.A.
Principal Architect
Ann enjoys the process of analyzing the way a family functions and using her design skills to make sure their home supports their lifestyle. She sees potential problems and works to solve them with a master-plan approach. Ann has master degrees from the University of Utah in both Education and Architecture. She became a licensed architect in 1993. After spending years in commercial architecture — designing everything from hotels to schools — she co-founded Renovation Design Group to offer architectural services to individual homeowners. She enjoys the one on one interaction with people and helping them find joy with their homes. “The physical space you live in has an effect on your spirit and your attitude,” she says. In her ‘spare’ time Ann enjoys reading, knitting, do-it-yourself projects and five wonderful grandchildren.
Leezanna Hill
Drafter
Leezanna has been working as a draftsman at Renovation Design Group since early 2015. She took drafting in high school, but graduated from Utah State University with a BS in an entirely different field. She finally realized that architecture is her passion and returned to school to become a drafter. Leezanna enjoys on-site drafting and drawing and loves working with Renovation Design Group. When she is not working, Leezanna spends her time with friends and family, and going on outdoor adventures.
Annie Vernon Schwemmer, A.I.A.
Principal Architect
Annie Schwemmer is a detail-oriented architect who loves the process of taking something good and making it better. She is good at seeing the potential in homes and enjoys building relationships with her clients. Her friendly and optimistic personality lends itself well to coordinating with clients, consultants, and contractors throughout the design and construction process. Annie began working in an architectural firm in 1993. She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s of Architecture degrees from the University of Utah and became a licensed architect in 2004. She has designed and managed residential and commercial projects of all sizes. “I approach architecture like a puzzle,” she says. “I enjoy taking all the parameters of a project into consideration to come up with a great solution.” In her spare time she enjoys photography, fly fishing, mountain biking and anything in the great outdoors. She and her husband love to travel to experience other cultures and their history. They have been known to spend their vacations exploring ghost towns in Utah and surrounding states. They are the parents of two young children– Annie’s best design project of all!
Elizabeth McMullin
Drafter
Liz has a B.S. in education from BYU and an A.A.S. in Architectural Technology from Salt Lake Community College. Liz has always had an interest in architecture and drafting and is really enjoying her work at Renovation Design Group. During her free time she loves spending time with her husband and children, gardening, traveling, and skiing.
Cheryl Meltzer
Receptionist/Office Manager
Cheryl moved to Utah from Pennsylvania in 2004. She had spent most of her working years in the medical field and decided it was time to move on to something different. Renovation Design Group is the perfect fit for a career in the Office Management world. Cheryl is an avid ultra-marathoner, who also helps a great deal with her husband’s professional running career. She is a fine skier and general outdoor enthusiast. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her husband in the mountains, often with their two dogs, Bernie and Cinder.
From Our Clients Point of View
All the contractors commented that they love working with you and your drawings are detailed and complete. I responded that we love working with you too!
CAMILLE A., ST. MARY’S Professional Architect Services April 12, 2016
Renovation Design's team atmosphere and the variety of choice in both the scale of work and the project cost were most valuable to me. I had high expectations and they were all met. I picked up the approved plans from the city of Draper today. They paid you a great compliment. The exact quote was, 'You have a wonderful [Architect]. For all the years I have worked here; this is the first time a set of plans has not required corrections.' I agreed!
Cathy M., Draper Professional Architect Services May 17, 2017
We are soooo glad we spent the time and money getting professional help in the planning stage. As we are smack dab in the middle of the remodel, so many issues have been diverted because of good planning.
Jeanne G., Draper Professional Architect Services May 17, 2017
I especially appreciated Renovation Design’s knowledge and experience with remodeling older homes. They were able to help us plan for long term needs and we valued their continued involvement throughout construction. They are very professional and organized. We felt that they communicated well throughout the project.
Joyce G., Salt Lake City Professional Architect Services May 17, 2017
We loved the creative way our Architect saw our home, its strengths and ways of improving its drawbacks. The drafters spent a lot of time accurately measuring our home before the design started. We have recommended the firm to several others already.
Jeanette W., Federal Heights Professional Architect Services May 17, 2017
Renovation Design had vision and skill and came up with great ideas on a very difficult project. They came up with ideas that we had never thought of. I felt like they listened very carefully to what we wanted and helped us achieve the goals we had in mind. Now we have a house that makes sense and looks great on the inside and outside. I have referred ten or more people to them so far. I would recommend them to anyone.
Donna B., Harvard/Yale Professional Architect Services May 17, 2017
Thanks for your patience with us. I am SO HAPPY to be working with Renovation Design Group. As I sensed from the beginning, you truly know what the homeowners needs are and how to bring about a satisfying remodeling experience.
Judy W., Salt Lake City Professional Architect Services May 17, 2017
Renovation Design did a wonderful job redesigning our master suite. We are now in the construction process and they continue to follow through with us. If we run into any problems, our Architect comes right on site to help. She says there's always a solution to any problem, and it's true that she always comes up with great solutions. I just can't say enough good things about this company.
Sally B., Federal Heights Professional Architect Services May 17, 2017