Meet the Team

Design First’s unique design-build approach is your all-in-one project management solution. Our regimented process allows us to manage your entire project with a diverse and expert team of architects, interior designers, project managers, and trades; all with one goal in mind… high client satisfaction. Get to know the people behind Design First’s process that keep our clients coming back year after year.

Conceptual Design

Heather Hudson

Director of Architectural Design

Heather Hudson

Growing up with an artistic family full of musicians, actors and designers, my interest in design and architecture came at a very young age. At just nine years old, I told my mom “I’m going to be an interior designer when I grow up”. Attending college in Chicago for my Fine Arts Degree sparked my interest in all things architecture and design, and it quickly became my passion.

I describe my work as a blend of the client’s needs with elevated design. I’m continuously inspired by the clients I have the pleasure of working with and my fellow designers. Personally, I enjoy making sincere connections with people and developing the best design solutions for them. Some of my favorite projects include transforming a client’s home from top to bottom and enhancing how they live their lives in the homes they love.

I enjoy traveling with my husband, family and friends and spending time with my daughter. I take on house projects throughout the year as a hobby and I’m always looking for a project to work on.

Adam DeLay

Senior Architectural Designer & Plans Specialist

Adam DeLay

Born in South Dakota, but raised in Pennsylvania I found myself needing an adventure. In 2009 I decided to make that happen. I sold my home, said goodbye to my mom, brother, & sister, and moved to Chicago… well, a suburb of Chicago. I landed an amazing job with Design First Builders, which was ‘new’ at the time, but ready to be the incredible company it is today.

My career seemed to start early. I can remember in middle school loving my art and design classes. That ultimately led me to my career and finding my niche and love for residential design. College came and went and since graduating with honors in 2006 I’ve designed, managed, and helped develop thousands of home remodel projects. I’d like to think there are very few home floor plans in Illinois I haven’t seen and helped redesign.

Finding my passion was easy; building something great with it is the fun part. My style changes year to year. I enjoy seeing trends develop, hearing client’s opinions, and helping my team incorporate “out of this world” design. Mastering our design software has allowed me to contribute beyond what most other users can. My skill and eye for detail are all apparent in my work and 3D renders and I’m always eager to push those skills to the limit.

Danielle House

Senior Architectural Designer

Danielle House

As a young child I have always found an interest in architecture, design and fashion. My free time is mostly spent enjoying the Chicago city life! I enjoy being outside and spending my free time with friends and family. I’ve been a part of the Design First family since 2014 and I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Interior Design. I’ve worked in the design industry for over twelve years, starting with textiles, a custom cabinet company and now Design First Builders.

I really enjoy the challenge of creating additions and reworking existing interior spaces. I’m proficient in our 3-D design software, which helps my clients fully understand their project. I take pride in listening to my client’s needs and giving design advice and providing the best design experience.

My true passion is kitchen design and consider myself a trend-setter. I do enjoy when my client’s agree to step “out of the box” and do something original and fun with their space!

Angel Condal, CKD

Senior Architectural Designer

Angel Condal

I’ve lived in the Chicagoland area for more than 23 years and have been working in the remodeling industry since graduation. I’m passionate about Kitchen and Bath Design which led me to my CKD certification from the National Kitchen and Bath Association. I am a fully active member of the Midwest Chicago NKBA.

Whether it’s a traditional home or a contemporary loft space, I am able to meld the architectural style of the home with the client’s budget, needs, and wishes, to create a space perfectly suited for their family’s needs. Mid-century modern and transitional design are my absolute favorite design styles with functional and practicality for the homeowner as a main focus. I fully enjoy seeing a project build to successful completion.

In my spare time, I’m enjoying the slopes of Colorado with my long-time spouse Michael who is an Architect. We both love to travel and visit buildings and sites related to our work.

Matt Bolson

Senior Architectural Designer

Matt Bolson

I enjoy living in Lisle with my family where we survived four remodeling projects of our own home. Growing up in Downers Grove, I won an architect internship my junior year of high school that awarded/afforded me the opportunity to fall in love with design. I earned a professional degree in architecture from the University of Arkansas where I also competed in swimming and racquetball.

Being passionate about people, ideas, and design for over 25 years led to my award-winning remodeling success. I am thoroughly experienced in renovating a wide range of spaces from 5 years old to 105 years old, basements to whole home remodels. I enjoy getting to know my clients and learning about their diverse needs. The best part of my job is finding new ways to see those culturally and personally unique needs met in creative ways.

Jennifer Kruse

Architectural Designer

Jennifer Kruse

I was born into an architectural family. My father was a Chicago residential architect and his father was a bricklayer in Chicago. I grew up surrounded by beautiful historic architecture and touring modernist residences and museums on the weekends. This ultimately led me to pursue a Bachelors of Architectural Sciences from the University of Illinois.

While I’ve worked with many different building types over the last 25 years, I have settled my focus on residential architecture. I am motivated by the beauty of architecture, the beauty of nature and the desire to help people. Through collaborating with you, the client & adding the strength of our various departments, we can achieve a solution that meets budget & your needs in the most functional & aesthetically pleasing way.

Joe Labelle

Architectural Designer

Joe Labelle

For as long as I can remember I’ve had a passion for creating a vision and seeing it come to reality. In my younger years, that passion took root in the form of Lincoln Logs, Lego cities and train layouts. I’ve spent countless hours sketching visions of homes, bridges, towns, and amusement parks. I spent even more hours turning those visions into reality – albeit on a miniature scale.

Upon graduating from the University of Illinois, I began my career with the nation’s largest homebuilder. Over my more than twenty year career, I’ve designed, developed, and built hundreds of projects. I have extensive experience designing and building major additions and renovation projects, new single-family homes and townhomes, and developing real estate.

As a licensed real estate managing broker, I use my real estate knowledge and expertise to help determine the feasibility of projects. A project may have a great design, but it also must be feasible to build. I enjoy the challenge each new project brings. I especially enjoy helping clients find the best solution for their home and family and working within the various constraints each project faces.

Outside of work, I enjoy playing guitar, mixing music, exploring nature, traveling and spending time with my family.

Brian O’Neil

Architectural Designer

Brian O’Neil

I was introduced to the residential remodeling industry at 16 years old when my friend’s dad purchased a general contracting company in Evanston. I learned a deep appreciation of the carpentry trade after becoming a general laborer cleaning job sites and delivering materials. I worked my way from General Carpenter to Lead Carpenter within 2 years. My carpentry journey led me all the way to the VP of Operations where I eventually managed multiple crews of carpenters.

While I enjoyed working in operations, my experience led me to make a tremendous impact in home remodeling and renovation projects. For over 9 years I’ve excelled in design development where I learned that a true passion of mine is helping homeowners realize their homes full potential. Due to my carpentry experience, I’m able to work through challenging design details and accomplish layouts other designers might’ve thought impossible. Some of my favorite projects to work on I’d say without hesitation, would be basement and lower level remodels. I feel they are a blank canvas with so much potential to add interesting elements to a home like a home theater, bourbon tasting room, or golf simulator.

I am a married father of four very active children. I spend a great deal of my off time at baseball diamonds, basketball courts, and volleyball tournaments. I love tending to my grill and golfing whenever I can. I’m also an avid sports fan, my favorite events include March Madness, The Masters, and the World Series.

Architecture

Fred Conforti, Architect

Senior Architect

Vanessa Briceno, Architect

Architect

Mable Nazario, Architect

Architect

Michael
Revord

Architectural Drafter

Gianna
Campo

Architectural Drafter

Design Development

David Bertucci

Development Manager

Linda Larisch, CMKBD

Senior Architectural Designer

Linda Larisch

As a graduate of the University of Michigan I’ve earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts majoring in Industrial Design with a minor in Interior and Graphic Design. My love for design and architectural detail started while attending Kingswood School Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills, Mi. Since then I’ve earned my CKD in 1996, CBD in 2004 and I have been a Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer since 2008 from the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA).

After a trip in the late 1980’s to Europe I discovered my love for kitchen design and blended my passion for product development and interior design into the mechanical rooms of the residential home. Designing a timeless functioning kitchen and bathroom are a passion with the finish materials being the icing on the cake.

Although I’m an award winning designer and have judged local and national design competitions, my life wouldn’t be complete without my three children and four grandchildren. I have no plans to slow down and love cooking a fabulous meal, gardening and competing in dressage and equestrian competitions on the international level.

Francesca Binetti

Project Designer

Francesca Binetti

Chicagoland born and raised, I developed a passion for design at a young age. I’ve always enjoyed sketching unique designs, pulling color and textiles into a space, and envisioning changes to any home I walk into.

I have a professional degree in Interior Design with several years of experience working with clients to fulfill their design goals. I am passionate about the work I do and the feeling I instill in my clients. I enjoy working with various types of styles to give the space its full quality of life but my favorite is a blend of mid-century modern and contemporary. Listening to my clients express how much they love their remodel once we’ve completed it is one of the biggest highlights in our process.

Family is everything to me; and when I’m not working I enjoy spending time with them and my friends. Travelling is a must and I urge everyone I get to know that it should be something they do a good bit of. There are so many inspiring things to see and I love experiencing something new as often as I can.

Wendali Clouser, Allied ASID

Project Designer

Diana Rizko

My Passion for art and design has been ingrained in me since I was a child. It led me to earn a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from Lebanese American University and a Master degree in Interior Design from Harrington College of Design. My exposure to outstanding architecture and interior design while working for an award winning designer in Beirut has been an impression on me for years I was blessed to teach as an assistant professor in Interior Design at Private University of Science and Art in Syria. Supervised by an Italian designer created not only an appreciation for beauty, but a need to express it and create it as well.

I joined the Design first family more than ten years ago. Fueled with the most important ingredients – imagination and discipline. The ability to develop a relationship based on trust by truly listening to my client’s ideas, needs, and concerns, allows me to translate the clients desire and needs into unique and compelling interiors. I enjoy providing the client with a positive and enjoyable remodeling experience!

Outside of art and design, I enjoy spending time with my husband and kids Sophia & Daniel, and love creating enjoyable new experiences through traveling.