---
title: "1 A DESIGN, LLC — Building Designers and Drafters | Houzz"
canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/building-designers-and-drafters/1-a-design-llc-pfvwus-pf~722465678
markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~722465678.md
entity_type: LocalBusiness
business_name: "1 A DESIGN, LLC"
category: ["Building Designers and Drafters"]
image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/fcb33d440855828a_7610-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg
address: "520 Hurff Dr, Elmwood, Illinois 61529, United States"
latitude: 40.7726
longitude: -89.9289
phone: "(309) 316-3839"
website: https://1-a-design.com
rating: 5
review_count: 2
years_in_business: 11
followers: 16
last_updated: 2026-09-11
---

# 1 A DESIGN, LLC

> Aesthetic Design. Functional Design.

Original Houzz profile: [1 A DESIGN, LLC](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/building-designers-and-drafters/1-a-design-llc-pfvwus-pf~722465678)

## Professional summary

- **Primary category:** Building Designers and Drafters
- **Location:** Elmwood, IL
- **Serves:** Springfield, Peoria, Bloomington, Normal, Moline, Rock Island, Elmwood, Farmington, Princeville, Hanna City, Brimfield, Yates City, Trivoli, Bettendorf, Davenport, Illinois, USA
- **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (2 reviews)

## About

### Houzz Badges

- Houzz Pro Software User
- 100 Ideabook Saves
- References available
- Veteran owned
- 11 years in business

### Business highlights

- Veteran owned
- 11 years in business
- References available

1 A Design is a residential design company specializing in producing unique concepts for clients' specific functional and aesthetic requirements.

### Services Provided

- 3D Rendering
- Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
- Architectural Design
- Architectural Drawings
- Attic Conversion
- Barn Design & Construction
- Basement Finish Outs
- Bathrooms
- Building Design
- Cabins
- Custom Home
- Design Consultation
- Drafting
- Energy-Efficient Homes
- Exercise Rooms
- Floor Plans
- Green Building
- Guesthouse Design & Construction
- Handicap-Accessible Design
- Home Additions
- Home Extensions
- Home Gym Design & Construction
- Home Remodeling
- Home Theater
- House Plans
- Kitchens
- Land Surveying
- Log Home Construction
- Man Cave
- Master Suites
- Modular Home Additions
- Multigenerational Homes
- New Home Construction
- Party Barn
- Passive Solar Heating & Cooling
- Pool House Design & Construction
- Post and Beam
- Prefab Houses
- Project Management
- Renovations
- Rooftop Deck Installation
- She Shed
- Site Planning
- Staircase Design
- Sustainable Design
- Timber Frame Home
- Timber frame
- Tiny House Construction
- Universal Design

### Areas Served

- Springfield
- Peoria
- Bloomington
- Normal
- Moline
- Rock Island
- Elmwood
- Farmington
- Princeville
- Hanna City
- Brimfield
- Yates City
- Trivoli
- Bettendorf
- Davenport
- Illinois
- USA

## Business Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Business Name | 1 A DESIGN, LLC |
| Address | 520 Hurff Dr, Elmwood, Illinois 61529, United States |
| Phone | (309) 316-3839 |
| Website | https://1-a-design.com |
| Years in business | 11 |
| Followers on Houzz | 16 |

**Social profiles:**
- Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/1ADESIGN
- X (Twitter) — https://twitter.com/1\_A\_Design
- LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/1adesign/
- Blog — www.1adesign.space

## Contact

- **Houzz profile:** [1 A DESIGN, LLC](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/building-designers-and-drafters/1-a-design-llc-pfvwus-pf~722465678)
- **Website:** https://1-a-design.com
- **Phone:** (309) 316-3839

## Reviews

**Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 2 reviews**

*Aspect averages:*
- Work Quality: 50.0
- Communication: 50.0
- Value: 50.0

### All 2 reviews

**★★★★★ — Jill McBroom, April 2021**

> Chad is a very creative and innovative designer. We are very happy with the results of our remodel. He pays great attention to details and kept the project running smoothly and on schedule.

**★★★★★ — Jeffry J. Smith, April 2021**

> Chad remodeled our whole home. He took a jacuzzi room, paneled in cedar, and extended it past our deck, and adding a new deck beyond. He also dug under our old jacuzzi, making a full storage room and a downstairs library.
>
> The new family room has six skylights and twelve tall windows, so it's light and airy. Paneled in beautiful cedar, it's our favorite room. The downstairs has become a complete bedroom suite with a kitchen, library. and storage room.
>
> It's sufficient to say sixteen years later, we're still singing Chad's praises in both design and execution. He has our highest recommendation.

## Selected projects

- [Oak Run Lake House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/oak-run-lake-house-pj-vj~7742405)
  - Location: Dahinda, IL
  - Photos: 11
- [Farmhouse style design addition and renovation to an existing home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/farmhouse-style-design-addition-and-renovation-to-an-existing-home-pj-vj~7090298)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 10
  - Description: This project started as an existing 1 1/2 story home and the new design for the project included a new addition with a full renovation so the home would have a farmhouse-style design when completed.
- [Farm House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/farm-house-pj-vj~6160168)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 28
  - Description: Farmhouse style home design
- [Panama House Family Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/panama-house-family-home-pj-vj~5329179)
  - Location: Santa Catalina, Provincia de Veraguas
  - Photos: 11
- [Lake House Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lake-house-renovation-pj-vj~6219289)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 32
- [Modern Craftsman](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/modern-craftsman-pj-vj~1755425)
  - Location: Canton, IL
  - Photos: 49
- [Mine Shack House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mine-shack-house-pj-vj~1755391)
  - Location: Canton, IL
  - Photos: 19
- [new Party Barn / Bunkhouse at existing Lake Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/new-party-barn-bunkhouse-at-existing-lake-home-pj-vj~6454301)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 10
- [new Garage at existing Lake Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/new-garage-at-existing-lake-home-pj-vj~6454128)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 10
- [Bathroom Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bathroom-renovation-pj-vj~6144141)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 10
- [Kitchen Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/kitchen-renovation-pj-vj~6144019)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 22
- [Craftsman Mudroom and Garage](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/craftsman-mudroom-and-garage-pj-vj~6219283)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 21
  - Description: New mudroom connection constructed between the existing home and existing single car garage, and a new 2 car garage added onto the existing garage.
- [Lake House Scheme without Addition](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lake-house-scheme-without-addition-pj-vj~6219308)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 23
- [A-Frame Reno Add](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/a-frame-reno-add-pj-vj~1755487)
  - Location: Delavan, IL
  - Photos: 18

[See all 14 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/building-designers-and-drafters/1-a-design-llc-pfvwus-pf~722465678)

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Do you prepare detailed permit-ready construction drawings?**
Yes, we specialize in creating detailed architectural drawings and floor plans. Our goal is to produce unique concepts that meet your specific functional and aesthetic requirements, ensuring they are ready for the permitting process.

**What types of residential buildings do you design?**
We design a wide range of residential buildings, including new custom homes, ADUs, tiny houses, and various additions like master suites, kitchens, and bathrooms. We also specialize in unique structures such as timber frame homes, party barns, man caves, and she sheds, always focusing on your specific functional and aesthetic needs.

**Do you design custom home plans?**
Absolutely! Designing custom home plans is a core part of our expertise. We specialize in new home construction and creating unique architectural designs tailored precisely to your functional needs and aesthetic preferences, ensuring your dream home becomes a reality.

**Do you design additions, garages, or accessory buildings?**
Yes, we frequently design additions, including home extensions, ADUs, guesthouses, and pool houses. We also create unique accessory buildings like party barns, man caves, and she sheds, ensuring they perfectly complement your existing property and lifestyle.

**Do you design post-frame or pole buildings?**
Yes, we have expertise in designing structures that utilize timber frame and post and beam construction methods. This includes barn design and construction, as well as unique projects like party barns, which often align with post-frame or pole building techniques.

*FAQ content may be generated based on the Pro's Houzz profile and website.*

## Community Q&A

**Q: Hood over window/ stove under window weird?** *(in Design Dilemma)*

Hello Folks!

We are in the process of removing a wall in our kitchen to open it up to the dining room and create a pass through area with bar stools. The problem is, the wall we are removing houses our oven/stovetop/ microwave.

Our designer suggests relocating a stovetop and hood to the current kitchen sink area that sits below a window. We'd place the sink to the left (blue scribble) and on the back wall (the yellow area) we'd have the fridge and a wall oven with landing counters/ cabinets on either side.

I've never seen a stovetop/ hood over a window unless searching really hard. Makes me wonder if there's a reason for that. Is it weird? Hazardous? Impractical? Will there be issues with grease on the window?

We are at the point where we may not open the kitchen at all-- and as much as I love it, maybe the whole open concept thing isn't always the most practical for all intensive purposes.

Thanks in advance!

A: It is not a great idea to put the stove top and hood in front of the window especially if you want to open the window while cooking. The hood in front of the window will look very odd unless the window is short. If you really do want the stove top at the window, or you decide to install it in the peninsula, then I would suggest looking at a down draft exhaust ventilation system.

**Q: Wainscoting height** *(in Design Dilemma)*

I have 10'6" walls and want to put the top of the chair rail at 30",  will that be too low?  I see it done too neigh often.

A: What is the style of your home and how are you constructing the wainscot? In a space with 10'-6" high walls I would install the wainscot at no less than 42" H. You could also go up halfway or even make it look more substantial at 6' or 7' H. If the chair rail is truly being used as a chair rail, then you need to measure the height of the back of your chairs. If the chair rail is only aesthetic then let us determine the wainscot height first and then go from there.

**Q: Long OR short step** *(in Design Dilemma)*

Our new addition is almost ready for its new engineered hardwood floor and my contractor suggested to keep the long step. I thought we would do a smaller step, the width of the 3-foot pocket door we're going to have where the plastic is. The opening will be from the red zipper to the white wall. I can't make up my mind... Will it look weird to have a long step or weirder to have one smaller step in front of the door?

A: I would suggest continuing with the long step. It will look much better than the alternative.

---

*Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-11.*