RGS Design Studio's History
2002
Ren Santizo singlehandedly began in 2002 assisting a local dentist with a custom single-family residence in Ventura CA. The positive experience and collaboration were the seed that flourished into RGS Design Studio, Inc. It began with the old school yellow page ad in a local directory, business cards and word of mouth.
Through the mid 2000's he participated in Community Development forums for the City of Ventura, and seminars on Natural Resources conservation and GREEN design standards and worked on Historic Preservation projects.
In 2007 RGS incorporated, trained in Construction and Major renovation from the USGBC, in "Historic Preservation" from the State Office of Historic Preservation, and in "Wood Design for Non-Residential Structures" from the "Wood Products Council". Began support for The National Trust for Historic Preservation funding preservation and restoration for buildings of national historical value.
Becoming of Age
2008 - 2012
These years were marked by USGBC membership and training in LEED environmental design, T.I. projects, pro bono work through The Great Recession, relocating to Executive Suites in downtown Ventura, and becoming of age at 10 years of service.
Expansion
In 2013 RGS expanded to Interior Design, landscape, and restaurant design services, completing restaurants in Oxnard, and Ojai, CA and teaming up with a Nursery for an 8,000 sq. ft. of residential outdoor living from concept - documentation to construction. 5,000 sq. ft. of the landscape was drought tolerant plants irrigated with the home's graywater.
The Lean Times
2014 - 2019
RGS relocated to the Veterans Building in Ventura in 2014 and began a plan for a remote business model,
completing the transition in 2017, closing the physical office, streamlining and outsourcing printing.
In 2018 RGS Design Studio, Inc. opened a virtual office in Santa Barbara, CA. In 2019 Ren Santizo and staff; Oscar Hernandez, architect in training Longi Cao, and Noelle Koeppe from Dream House LLC opened a second virtual office on Palma Drive, Ventura. During the pandemic RGS was tasked with light industrial projects for the Harbor Patrol maintenance dock at the Santa Barbara Harbor.
2020 - 2026
Thanks to our continued relationships and work ethic we have stayed strong in this competitive environment for twenty-four years, adapting to changes where digital planning and processes are the norm and embracing the ADU boom in backyards and garages. If you have a project in mind, give us a call. The first consulting hour is complimentary.