Our Portfolio
Residential Architecture Projects
From custom homes to renovations and ADUs, each project reflects a collaboration between Rachel and her clients to create spaces that are both beautiful and functional. Her work spans Columbia, SC, and beyond, always with a focus on intentional, livable design.
Project Details
Old Shandon New Build Custom Home
Location: Columbia, SC
RDA design in 2025
Construction in 2025
Rendering credit, RDA
Single-family spec home for developer
2-story, ~2,200 square feet
4 bed, 4.5 bath
Rachel was commissioned to design a spec house with four bedrooms, four en-suite baths, and one half bath in the Old Shandon neighborhood. To follow the Design District Review Council (DDRC) process, Rachel worked with Columbia City staff to design an updated Craftsman foursquare-style house that met the guidelines for the historic, urban neighborhood. The design was approved by the DDRC at the staff level, avoiding the client from incurring costly back-and-forth at a council meeting. This house seeks to embody the character of the neighborhood while meeting the client’s need to provide housing in the area.
“We worked with Rachel on a primary bathroom renovation in our home. It was our first experience with renovating, and we couldn’t be happier with our choice to use Rachel’s talents. We had a very unique and unconventional space to work with, and Rachel delivered designs that checked all the boxes of what we were hoping for. I’m still delighted every time I walk into our one-of-a-kind space. We absolutely recommend Rachel to anyone looking for design services and will certainly be calling on her for future projects!”
Project Details
Lake Murray Lakehouse
Location: Prosperity, SC
RDA design completed 2025
Construction anticipated 2026
Rendering credit, RDA
Single-family home for a young family
2-story, 3,000 square feet
4 bedroom, 3 bathroom, plus unfinished basement
Lakeview property
Rachel designed this house to be the forever home for a young couple and their new baby. The house is two levels and situated on a sloping, wooded lot, angled towards serene lake views. While most of the living space is laid out on the main level, the plan is for the family to be able to expand to the lower level in the future. The house has been designed to make use of the lower level and sloping topography of the site. The clients wanted the mix of indoor living, outdoor views, and controlled access to the property. The result is a floor plan that optimizes the efficiency needed for modern living, along with the comfort they will require for a lifetime.
Project Details
Hilltop House in Rural
South Carolina
Location: Pickens, SC
In Design Development phase
Construction anticipated Summer 2026
Rendering credit, RDA
Single-family home design for a couple preparing for retirement with a desire to enjoy their rural property.
2-story, 3,600 square feet
4 bedroom, 3 bathroom, including walkout
Rural property
RDA designed this house for a couple preparing for retirement who desire to enjoy their rural property. For a couple who loves to cook and entertain, they wanted a floor plan that would allow them to enjoy their home on the main level regularly, while hosting guests on the lower level with additional space for lounging and working out. The house features a sunroom just off the main living space, as well as a screened-in porch accessible from both the kitchen and prep kitchen. There is an additional outdoor kitchen deck for grilling and smoking, and the garage will have a flex space above for a home office. All of these plan details were refined with the client during the programming phase, so the home is completely customized to the clients’ space requirements and preferences.
Project Details
Shandon New Build
Location: Columbia, SC
Completed in 2022
Rendering credit, RDA
Single-family home design for an active family.
2-story, ~3,500 square feet
4 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom
RDA designed this house in an established neighborhood with historic homes, old-growth trees, and sidewalks. The goal was to create a modern house that could meet the space requirements of a family of four and sit quietly among the neighboring houses. With its proportions and placement, it seeks to respect the surrounding homes while remaining distinct enough to have a modern edge. The ground-level rooms are organized to prioritize natural light throughout the day, and a central skylight brings light into the center of the house and down through the vertical circulation. Access to the exterior, both visually and physically, is a key design feature allowing the clients full use of the site. The results are warm and inviting spaces where it’s a pleasure to live, work, and play.
Every project tells the story of a home designed with care and purpose. If you’re ready to start your own, Rachel will guide you through a creative, collaborative process from concept to completion.
Architectural Renovation Projects
Project Details
Forest Acres Renovation
and Addition
Location: Columbia, SC
RDA design in 2025
Construction completed in 2025
Rendering credit, RDA
Existing house ~ 1,300 SF,
Addition 1,068 SF + 665 SF back porch
2-story, 2,300 square feet
4 bedroom, 3 bathroom
For clients with a growing family, Rachel worked for several months designing a home addition and renovation that would meet their needs in terms of layout, site conditions, and budget. We worked together to optimize the space for entertaining, dining, and cooking, and expanded their bedrooms and bathrooms. Now the house is ideal for them to grow into, and they can stay in the Forest Acres neighborhood they love.
“We worked with Rachel on a primary bathroom renovation in our home. It was our first experience with renovating, and we couldn’t be happier with our choice to use Rachel’s talents. We had a very unique and unconventional space to work with, and Rachel delivered designs that checked all the boxes of what we were hoping for. I’m still delighted every time I walk into our one-of-a-kind space. We absolutely recommend Rachel to anyone looking for design services and will certainly be calling on her for future projects!”
Every project tells the story of a home designed with care and purpose. If you’re ready to start your own, Rachel will guide you through a creative, collaborative process from concept to completion.
COMMERCIAL ARCHITECTURE PROJECTS
Project Details
Home Team BBQ, Columbia LOCATION
Location: Five Points, Columbia, SC
Project Manager: Rachel DeBacker
Project Architect with Studio 2LR
Photo Credit, KickStand Studio
Restaurant, renovation
Completed April 2019
Single-story restaurant design in the Five Points neighborhood
6,000+ square feet
Rachel worked with Studio 2LR as the project manager during the renovation of the original Harper’s restaurant, which transformed into Home Team BBQ. This involved understanding the owners’ vision for the location and updating the front-of-house layout, patio space, kitchen layout, and bathrooms, and bringing everything up to current building code standards. This relationship with Home Team went so well that Studio 2LR and Rachel were asked to work on their new location in Greenville, South Carolina.
“The results have been transformative. Our home feels like a true reflection of who we are, effortless, soulful, and deeply functional. Every space flows with purpose, and we find ourselves falling in love with it over and over again.”
Project Details
Home Team BBQ, Greenville, SC
Location: Greenville, SC
Project Manager: Rachel DeBacker
Project Architect with Studio 2LR
Rendering credit, Studio 2LR
New construction, completed May 2021
Single-story restaurant design in Holland Park
7,500 square feet
The Greenville location is Home Team’s first ground-up, new-construction restaurant building. After our experience in Colombia, we had a good design rapport and worked with the owners to create the spaces that are part of their restaurant’s brand and unique to the Holland Park location. Having a screened-in patio space right at the front, a long bar run, as well as plenty of space for all the pit-barbeque equipment are just some of the challenges we worked through in programming and planning. We also worked closely with Greenville County for their approval of the project.
Project Details
Learning Lab building at the Montessori School of Columbia
Location: Rosewood neighborhood,
Columbia, SC
Project Architect with Studio 2LR
Rendering credit, Studio 2LR
New construction, single-story school
Completed August 2021
~1,600 square feet
Rachel worked with Studio 2LR and the Montessori School of Columbia to master-plan their campus and design a new art- and science-focused building. Called the Learning Lab, this roughly 1,600 SF building allows for flexible classroom space for the school and is purpose-built for the Montessori curriculum. The design leaves the truss structure exposed, an object of beauty and a teachable moment. The building is energy-efficient, powered by solar panels on the roof and receiving ample daylight from north-facing skylights and windows in the classrooms.
Every commercial project begins with a vision for how people will work, connect, or engage in a space. Rachel designs with both function and character in mind, helping business owners bring their ideas to life with clarity and purpose. If you’re ready to explore your next project, she’ll guide you through a thoughtful, collaborative design process from concept to completion.