Firm Profile / Bio
Richard Bubnowski has been involved in the architectural design of commercial and residential projects in the New York metropolitan area for over thirty-five years. Originally engaged in the practice of New Urban style residential and mixed use projects, Richard spent several years working with the nationally renowned architectural firm of Looney Ricks Kiss in Princeton as well as other firms, before opening his own multi-disciplined eponymous design studio in 2004. Today his award-winning design studio focuses on creating highly-crafted homes and interiors, along with timeless furniture inspired by traditional and contemporary architectural styles. Comfortably pushing the boundaries of the ordinary vernacular, while maintaining a responsibility to context through materials and form, the firm's ability to redefine traditional styles with a clean, modern approach, but with a classic and timeless sensibility has developed into the signature of the practice.
Richard received his academic training at The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC and Pratt Institute in New York City. He has also continued post graduate studies through professional seminars at Harvard's Graduate School of Design.
Over the years, his firm has been widely published in various home and design journals including, Luxury Home Quarterly, Coastal Living, Style 1900, Home, Design NJ, Arts & Crafts Homes, Old House Interiors, Qualified Remodeler, Design Bureau, Builder, Custom Home, and The New York Times. His personal drawings, design sketches, and furniture have been exhibited at Pratt Institute, Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), The Van Alen Institute, and formerly The Michael Ingbar Gallery of Architectural Art in New York City.
Since launching his design studio close to twenty years ago, the firm has designed residences primarily along the coast of New Jersey, but for a clientele that stretches throughout the United States and abroad. He is continually developing new ideas for his Surfers End Furniture Collection, as well as new houses along the coast and beyond. During the past several years the firm has received numerous prominent design awards including the Watermark Awards, Design Excellence Awards from Residential Design + Build Magazine, Master Design Awards from Qualified Remodeler Magazine and fourteen Best of Houzz Awards since 2012. Richard has also had the honor of being a guest juror for both the Master Design Awards in Chicago and the Builder's Choice Awards in Washington, DC. He has also been a contributing writer for both Builder and Qualified Remodeler magazines.
A Word About Sustainability and Resilience
RBD maintains a holistic approach to design, together with the owner's individual goals on sustainability and resilience. We integrate both passive and active systems to achieve the optimal solution for each project. While we encourage the use of active systems such as photo-voltaic, hydroelectric, and geothermal, we strongly believe that a passive and logical approach such as proper house orientation, massing, window placement, shading, and natural ventilation are equally as important to the overall success of the project with sustainability, comfort, and resilience in mind.
Design Awards and Honors
2024 Best of Houzz 2024 - Service Category
2023 Qualified Remodeler Master Design Awards, Gold Award, “Exterior Facelift” Category, Hagerstrom Residence
2023 Ninth Annual Architecture Awards, Build Magazine, Best Single-Family Residential Category, South-Central New Jersey
2023 Best of Houzz 2023 - Design Category
2022 BUILD 2022 Sustainable Building Awards - Best Custom Residential Design
2021 Best of Houzz 2021 - Service Category
2020 Design & Build Awards, Build Magazine - Most Outstanding Architectural Designs Category
2020 Best of Houzz 2020 - Design Category
2018 Best of Houzz 2018 - Service Category
2017 Best of Houzz 2017 - Service Category
2017 Best of Houzz 2017 - Design Category
2016 Best of Houzz 2016 - Design Category
2015 Best of Houzz 2015 - Design Category
2014 Bay Head Historical Society Preservation Award, Barr Residence (Exterior Restoration Design)
2014 Qualified Remodeler Master Design Awards, Gold Award, “Room Addition < $250,000”, Marvel Residence
2014 Qualified Remodeler Master Design Awards, Silver Award, “Exterior Facelift”, Slomin Residence
2014 Best of Houzz 2014 - Service Category
2014 Best of Houzz 2014 - Design Category
2013 35th Annual Qualified Remodeler Master Design Awards (guest juror)
2013 Best of Houzz 2013 - Service Category
2013 Best of Houzz 2013 - Design Category
2012 Residential Design + Build, Design Excellence Award, “Vacation Home”, South Surf Road Residence
2012 Residential Design + Build, Design Excellence Award, “Custom Home < 3000 sq. ft.”, New Moon Cottage
2012 34th Annual Qualified Remodeler Master Design Awards (guest juror)
2012 32nd Annual Builder's Choice Design & Planning Awards (guest juror)
2012 Best of Houzz 2012 Award - Design Category
2011 33rd Annual Qualified Remodeler Master Design Awards (guest juror)
2011 Watermark Awards, Grand Award, “Kitchen in a Custom Home < 3000 sq. ft.”, New Moon Cottage
2010 Watermark Awards, Merit Award, “Best Master Bath in a Remodeled Home” Conlin Bath
2010 Qualified Remodeler Master Design Awards, Gold Award, “Bathrooms $30,000 - $50,000”, Conlin Bath
2008 Qualified Remodeler Master Design Awards, Gold Award, “Exterior Facelift”, Jerakis Residence
2008 Qualified Remodeler Master Design Awards, Best of Show, “Under $200,000”, Jerakis Residence
2008 Smart Growth Awards, New Town Center Category, "Plainsboro Village Center", * While employed at Looney Ricks Kiss, Architects
2002 Metropolitan Home Awards, Honorable Mention, Outbuilding at Surfers End
Photography Credits
Matt Wargo Photography
Lauren Hagerstrom Images
Sam Oberter Photography
Patricia Burke Photography
Arielle Figueredo
Paul S. Bartholomew Photography / Style 1900 Magazine
Sara Gray Photography / Coastal Living
Alexandra Rowley / Home Magazine
Osprey Perspectives
In the Light Studios
Richard Bubnowski