One person, from the first conversation to the last coat of finish.
I'm Hayden, and I run Riggs Design Build out of Knoxville, working across East Tennessee. Before starting the business, I worked in professional cabinet design and production, and did hands-on carpentry and building work on the side. I started Riggs Design Build because I wanted to do both — design a project and actually build it myself, instead of handing a drawing off to someone else.
Right now the work is a mix of remodeling and custom carpentry. I'm intentionally building the business toward more custom furniture, built-ins, one-off architectural features, and sculptural woodwork — the kind of projects that don't have a catalog number.
I spent time as lead designer, lead CNC operator, and production manager at a custom cabinet manufacturer in Clinton — that's where the design and fabrication side comes from. Before that, I worked as a commercial HVAC installation tech, which is where I learned to follow a project from architectural plans all the way through to something fully built. Then finish carpentry, with Finish Point Trim and Millwork here in Knoxville — window and door trim, crown, and custom millwork on residential builds. These photos are from that last one; none of them are Riggs Design Build projects.
You describe the space and the idea, however rough. Sketches or reference photos help, but aren't required.
We settle on the direction, species, finish, and hardware before anything's cut.
Built in the shop or on site, depending on the piece.
Set in place, finished, and walked through with you.
