Rijus Home Design - about Us

Rijus Home Design is a second-generation family owned & operated full service licensed home design firm. From our offices, located 35 min's south of Hamilton, and 35 min's west of St.Catharines in Dunnville, Ontario - we can serve Haldimand, Hamilton, Niagara, St. Catharines, Toronto and all of Ontario.

Since the establishment of our house design business in 1983 in a home based office - we have moved into our commercial office where we provide a better personal creative collaboration between the client and our design team.

We are licensed Architectural Technologists, “canadian house designers” with education, training & experience in many building aspects. When you hire Rijus Home Design you get 30 years & counting of experience involved with the following:

• 4,700 and counting Custom Residential Home Designs (New home construction & additions)
• Over 1,500 non-residential building designs (commercial, agricultural & structural details)
• 12 years of truss & floor engineering, estimating & material take-off for large lumber company
• Built eight custom homes for personal residence - you get designers who have gone thru the actual building process
• Developed, designed, site serviced, managed & sold the creation and development of a
  30-unit retirement condominium project & other numerous sub-divisions for investment purposes
• Servicing & site development for numerous projects
• Structural inspections for several local Niagara/Haldimand professional engineer firms
• Interior Design
• Building sciences training
• Home framing experience & training
• Energy efficient & green design training
• New "Structural Techniques & Building Materials" training
• Building services & Ontario Building Code Compendium training

Let us put our vast experience & knowledge to work for you!  










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Jason Schilstra - Lead Designer/Manager (BCIN # 37758)
Jason joined the family design firm 6 years ago and runs the day to day of the business. He has been the lead designer on majority of projects and done so for nearly 1,100 custom home design projects thus far.  Jason is involved in all meetings and consultation. He is up to date with all the latest design trends and Ontario Building code standards, as well as brings a fresh new approach to the design process.  Jason's love of unique architecture and experience with designing many residential styles has attracted many clients.  Jason is married to Melissa and has one son - Jack. Hobbies are sports, homes, hockey.  Jason is currently building his own home. 





      

Richard Schilstra - Principal Designer / Owner (BCIN # 23329)
Richard started the design firm in the early 80's.  His passion for design, building and everything "house" has gained him much respect from home-owners and builders.  Starting his business and designing all by hand, Richard has constantly evolved with the design & building industry. Many years working along side builders, engineers and building numerous personal homes has given him the inside edge on construction practices and design techniques. Richard is also a Owner-Broker of a Remax franchise, which is helpful to have if considering resale and future paybacks.  Richard is married and has 5 children.  His hobbies are building and riding his motorcyles.







Kelly Bennett - Jr. Designer
Kelly's background is in interior design and has been an great asset for the firm.  Daily she works along side Jason in space planning and room orientation.  Kelly helps keep the design process going quick & efficient. Kelly is married and has two girls. Her hobbies are photography and spending time at the cottage.

Design Approach - Your Home, Your Design - Your Way!
Our approach to design is based on the "needs & desires of our individual client" 

The challenge of each project is not only to make the home design functional, but to also attain a home design that "works" as well as visually appealing to the eye, all while creatively exploring every home design possibility. We pay attention to overall scope of size, shape & scale.

To acquire this, we work with our clients side by side and design with a huge emphasis on accurate detail, scoping out every single one of our clients requests and wishes. We want to meet every home design aspect and need for you and your home now and for the near future.

We want our clients to be comfortable and be able to voice their concerns, ideas and questions. We like to keep the design process fun and exciting. (read past clients testimonials)

In the end, we want to supply our client with accurate, detailed & working house plans, all the while establishing a rewarding relationship.

Thanks for considering us. We look forward to designing your new dream home!