DesignWorks Development

We used DesignWorks Development to assist in a collaboration of our basement design and build for our home in Colorado Springs; Rodney worked with us in developing and submitting our plans to the building department and helped with Permitting and contracting the build-out of our awesome space, including a dedicated theater, bar, and game room. Working with Rodney and DesignWorks Development was a pleasure; the collaboration was fun, and the result was amazing!

Sketching out a Tahoe theme gate needed for my deck was effortless and spot on for Rodney. Clearly his artistic architectural side came out in this project and it was done on site in just an hour or so.

Working with DesignWorks Development has been an amazingly wonderful productive experience. Even though we faced a few delays due to the pandemic...everything got completed and done so in a professional manner. The only thing I wish we'd done differently is that we had the entire build out done with them....not just the design. I highly recommend!

Unfortunately I have to leave this review. While Rodney was nice we have not had our project finished. We started this design with Rodney in January and have only some basic drawings to show. We do understand the initial delays due to COVID-19 but after Rodney requested a progress payment in April (which we paid) we have not had any of our emails or calls returned. I am still hoping that I'll be able to change this review but its looking like we may need to seek legal action.

We cannot thank Rodney Stephens - owner of Designworks Development - enough for designing our dream home. He was a pleasure to work with; treating us as friends and not just as customers from the very first meeting. Rodney listened to all of our thoughts and ideas and combined them with his own suggestions. His ability to turn our vision into reality means that we couldn’t be happier with our home. Highly recommended!!!

Rodney is the most talented architect we have ever worked with! His vision and creativity are second to none. He puts so much effort into making sure that every last detail is considered in the design process that the building process goes incredibly smoothly. We highly recommend DesignWorks!!!

We have just started the design process, but Rodney has already impressed us with his ideas and willingness to listen to ours as well.

We asked Rodney to create a home design with about 35 criteria, to include for it to be unique. He succeeded extremely well. He was always available to offer suggestions based not only on aesthetics but also cost. Being also a builder, gives him a wealth of knowledge in the practicality of design and I was constantly amazed at his 3 dimensional vision and engineering and code knowledge. His products were timely and based on actually visiting the complex building site out in the mountains. Rodney is very affable person with a great sense of humor and it is a pleasure to work with him. I strongly recommend him to anyone who wants a great architect. The house cost will be approximately $650,000.

Over the years Copperleaf Homes has successfully worked with Rodney Stephens (Design Works) on many award-winning projects. I'm always amazed at the investment of time and attention that Rodney brings to the design discussion -- from walking the lots to interviewing the clients to providing strong working designs from the start -- in my mind, nobody takes their projects more seriously than Design Works. When I think of Rodney Stephens and Design Works, I think of EXCELLENCE.

Our 117 year old house renovation project began in July 2013. Rodney Stevens/Design Works was there from the beginning – Starting with an initial “What can we do with this house?” through to the final certificate of occupancy in April 2015. The transformation results are amazing and we truly love our “new/old” home. We could not have executed this project without his expertise and help. He guided us every step of the way filling multiple roles as architect, general contractor, scheduler, quality control, hands-on carpenter and interface and advocate with the Building Department. In addition to the anticipated “surprises” expected with an old house renovation (floors, roof, structure), Rodney fought countless battles and acted in our best interest with the City Building Department, the construction crews, and building suppliers. He demonstrated integrity and professionalism and was the ever resourceful and optimistic, “OK how can we solve this next issue?” problem solver. I know that this project caused him many sleepless nights, countless trips to the Building Department, and endless phone calls trying to get trades people to show up. He worried about the details and worked through each while being mindful of cost and schedule impacts. On more than one occasion, when we could not get contractors or simply to save us costs, Rodney would strap on a tool belt and do the work himself. I am also aware that Rodney donated many hours to this project where a different architect/general contractor would have send us a bill. In the end, each issue was solved and results are spectacular. Are we over budget? Yes. Are we behind schedule? Yes. Would I take on another project with Rodney/Design Works. Yes. Can I recommend Rodney Steven/Design Works? Absolutely. Thank you Design Works and Thank you Rodney!

My wife and I wanted to deisgn our own home because what was already on the market was too ordinary or did not match our design tastes. Enter Rodney...he took the time to listen to what we wanted out of a home and did not cram those desires into a box with a roof and four windows. He taught us about incorporating the land into the design of the home so that all would flow and function. He was patient with us throughout the deign phase and final drafts and came up with a home that is truely unique. He was detailed and took time to meet with us to explain the whys and why nots, what we structurally could and couldn't do, and pushed on some things when appropriate. Rodney was even willing, and accommodating, to consider our own drawings of concepts we brought to him to add into the home. Rodney plys his trade with his heart and teaches throughout the process. We highly recommend him because in the end, you'll get a unique and functional design and a friend.

My wife and I retained Rodney to design our new custom home located in High Forest Ranch. We paid our downpayment of $2,500.00 per his contract. After nearly two months and many promises, we received a conceptual drawing that wasn't anything like we'd described we wanted in which he agreed because he was very busy at the time and he agreed to start over. After another month and a half we still hadn't received anything new although we we're told on numerous occasions that Rodney was just finishing up the drawings and would have them to us shortly. Finally after several more weeks of promises we decided it would be best we move on and find another architect to design our home and when we'd asked for a portion of our deposit back for failure to fulfill his obligation, he refused. Very dissappointing!

DesignWorks Developments had previously done an amazing complete redesign of our current home, so we knew what to expect in working with Rodney. Quality of work, attention to detail, and highly skilled visions to transform and create amazing structures. The current project was a treehouse for our 10 year old daughter, and what he created is beyond what we could have expected! From our simple requests, he built a two story structure with two balconies, custom front and back doors, and details throughout that have created a dream place for our daughter and family. He was so easy to work with and listened to what we wanted throughout the process. His expertise and talent turned what could have been a simple treehouse into a beautiful structure. We look forward to more projects with him in the future!

Rodney is the best designer that I have ever met. His work is exceptional and his communication and attention to details makes all the difference.

We hired Design Works Development and more specifically Rodney Stephens, to design our retirement home in Colorado Springs. He spent considerable time walking the lot to ensure our 3400 square foot home would capture our views of Pike's Peak and Garden of the Gods. Rodney is extremely detail oriented and very creative in his architectural design, but able to adjust based upon our feedback and requirements. His work requires a little more time than he projects, but in the end it was well worth the wait. We have a beautiful, functional home with the spaces we wanted and exterior roof and rock work that sets our home apart in a very positive way. Although Rodney did not build our home, we hired him to monitor the construction work to ensure the house was built to his plan. He worked very well with our home builder and was able to clarify and set direction in our absence.

Rodney is a very talented architect. He is a one man shop, which presents some challenges. I would ensure that you lay out expectations with Rodney before engaging in his services. He can create beautiful work, but it's a bit painful for many of us who have worked with him to get to the finish line. Maybe that is the price you pay for working with a talented artist.

Rodney Stephens and Design Works Development executed my project in a professional and timely manner. I would highly recommend them!

Designworks Development has proven to be the right choice for our project! The Architect and Owner Rodney Stephens was a pleasure to work with, The vision, skill and implementation of our project was professional, Timely and accurate. Rodney has an amazing ability to visualize the end result from the beginning, His attention to detail, budget and solutions were truly exemplary. We will use DesignWorks Development on any future projects and Highly recommend Rodney and His company to anyone looking for a professional company with integrity and ability! David Limpert CCIP

Amazing quality and thought into their design. This company reminds me of the 8 years that I spent traveling. The care in making sure that the house has so many characteristic values, making you feel like you aren't always inside a home while living in such a beautiful outdoor area is the most important part of the design for me.

Highly recommended!!!!!! Incredibly professional and would definitely work with again. Completely understood everything I wanted and everything turned out perfectly!!!!!!!