Design-Build Firm Birmingham, AL

Birmingham's architectural landscape deserves more than fragmented services. River Brook is as much a philosophy as it is a firm, performing a singular, uninterrupted process where architecture, construction, and interiors are not separate entities, but artful movements within a whole composition. Many firms design. Others build. Few do both, and even fewer with complete cohesion in the Birmingham area.

Highlights

  • Architecture, interiors, construction all in one

  • Award-winning craftsmanship

  • Focus on Birmingham's architectural character

Why Choose Us for
Design-Build Services
in Birmingham?

Founded by husband-and-wife team Kevin and Leigh Misso, River Brook holds an Alabama Home Builders License and is licensed to build in both Alabama and Tennessee. Our craftsmanship has earned national recognition, including HGTV Designer of the Year (2023) and features in Architectural Digest and Southern Living, establishing River Brook among the best companies in the design-build space.

What sets our company apart is our refusal to fragment the process. Our team owns every aspect, from foundational decisions to furniture selection, ensuring exceptional results through clear communication and intentional foresight. With Kevin's construction expertise and Leigh's building science background from Auburn University, form and function work in concert throughout your project.

Our Design-Build Services

Architectural Design & Planning

Architectural design at River Brook delivers custom home and addition planning tailored to Birmingham’s neighborhoods, including Mountain Brook and Homewood. We create cohesive, thoughtfully planned spaces that respect local character, reduce construction changes, and bring your vision to life with lasting style and functionality.

Construction & Project Execution

River Brook’s construction services deliver seamless execution from foundation to final finishes. With one dedicated team overseeing every phase in Birmingham projects, we ensure consistent craftsmanship, clear cost control, and smooth timelines. By combining design and construction under one roof, we eliminate handoffs, reduce surprises, and bring your project to completion with exceptional quality.

Interior Design, Finishes & Furnishings

Interior architecture and design at River Brook goes beyond decoration. We plan millwork, finishes, lighting, and furnishings from the start, creating spaces where form and function work seamlessly together. With materials selected for Birmingham’s climate and lifestyle, every detail is curated to deliver a home that feels refined, comfortable, and truly complete.

Our Process:
What to Expect

  • Based on your feedback from our initial "this or that meeting", we'll then curate a mood board that solidifies the overall style and direction of your project. This includes color palettes, textures, and inspiration images to establish a cohesive vision.

  • This is where your project starts taking shape! We'll develop preliminary floor plans and layouts to illustrate space planning, flow, and functionality.

  • With your feedback from the schematic phase incorporated, we'll then create a full set of construction documents. These plans serve as the detailed guide for your build. We'll review the finalized plans together with you before moving forward.

  • At this stage, we dive into the details of cabinetry, ensuring the layout, storage solutions, and functionality meet your needs. We'll provide elevations that outline cabinet placement, materials, etc. You'll have an opportunity to review cabinet shops and make adjustments before finalizing.

  • Now for the finishing touches! We'll guide you through selecting lighting, plumbing fixtures, flooring, countertops, paint colors, appliances, and more. This step brings the design to life with personalized details. You'll approve each selection, ensuring every finish aligns with your vision (and budget) before orders are placed.

  • A full-service approach to ensure your space is beautifully and thoughtfully finished. From selecting durable, family-friendly fabrics to curating furniture, rugs, and accessories, our team will craft a cohesive and functional living environment. We provide full presentation boards with 3D visualizations so you can see the complete scheme. You'll review and approve the furnishing selections before any purchases are made.

Common Design-Build
Challenges in Birmingham

Birmingham's mix of historic neighborhoods and new construction creates unique considerations. Working with a trusted partner who understands local challenges makes all the difference in delivering a successful project on schedule and within budget.

Challenge

Historic District Requirements


  • Navigating design restrictions in Redmont Park, Highland Park, and Forest Park while achieving modern functionality.

  • Our deep understanding of Birmingham’s architectural standards ensures designs honor tradition while meeting contemporary needs through careful planning and local expertise.

Challenge

Site Topography & Drainage


  • Hillside properties in Homewood and Mountain Brook requiring specialized foundation work and water management.

  • We plan for elevation changes and drainage patterns specific to Birmingham terrain, preventing future issues through intentional structural design.

Challenge

Climate Considerations


  • Alabama's humidity and temperature variations affecting material longevity and interior comfort.

  • We specify materials and systems proven to perform in Birmingham’s climate, from moisture-resistant finishes to efficient HVAC solutions.

Challenge

Coordinating Multiple Vendors


  • Homeowners managing separate architects, designers, and contractors, creating communication gaps.

  • As a design-build firm, we handle architecture, interiors, and construction under one roof, eliminating middlemen and preventing delays.

Challenge

Budget Transparency


  • Projects exceeding initial estimates due to poor upfront planning and scope changes.

  • Our integrated approach vets costs early, providing clear budget projections and real-time tracking to prevent surprises.

Challenge

Timeline Uncertainty


  • Project delays caused by disconnected design and construction phases.

  • Seamless coordination between our teams ensures realistic timelines and smooth execution from start to completion.

Local Design-Build Firm in the Birmingham Area

River Brook offers tailored custom home building services to Birmingham and nearby communities with a focus on attentive, personalized support. Our local expertise helps ensure each home complements its surrounding community. Contact us to start the conversation about your project.

We Serve:

Birmingham

Homewood

Mountain Brook

Vestavia Hills

Hoover

Cahaba Heights

Crestline

Edgewood

English Village

Forest Park

Highland Park

Redmont Park

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Design-build project costs vary based on scope, finishes, and site conditions. Because we integrate architecture, interiors, and construction, you receive transparent pricing from the beginning. Our process includes detailed cost vetting during design phases, preventing budget overruns common in traditional models. Contact us for a consultation to discuss your specific project and explore options that fit your vision and budget.

  • River Brook performs true design-build integration under one roof. Unlike firms claiming full service while outsourcing components, our team owns architecture, interior design, and construction completely. Kevin and Leigh Misso bring complementary expertise combined with passion for creating exceptional spaces. We've earned national recognition including HGTV Designer of the Year and features in Architectural Digest. That combination of local Birmingham knowledge and national excellence defines our work, making us a trusted partner for clients throughout Alabama.

  • We handle everything in-house. Our architects, interior designers, project managers, and superintendents work as one unified team. There are no handoffs to external general contractors or separate design firms. This mastery without fragmentation means you work with professionals who share the same vision throughout your project, from initial concepts through final details and completion. Our business model ensures seamless coordination at every phase.

  • Custom home projects typically require 12-18 months from initial design through completion, while renovations and additions vary based on scope. Birmingham permitting timelines and seasonal weather can affect schedules. Our integrated process often progresses more efficiently than traditional models because design and construction coordination happens seamlessly. We'll provide a realistic timeline during your initial consultation based on your specific project, with clear expectations set from the start.

  • Our services encompass architecture, interior design, and construction as one cohesive composition. That includes site planning, structural design, custom millwork, fixture and finish selection, furnishing curation, construction management, and quality control. You receive complete project delivery from one team with one point of contact, eliminating the coordination burden of managing separate companies for varying aspects of your house or facility. Every step is handled with professionalism and attention to detail.

  • You approve selections at each milestone while we handle the execution. During design phases, you'll review mood boards, floor plans, and 3D visualizations. Throughout construction, you'll receive regular progress updates. Our process invites your input where it matters most while streamlining decisions through expert guidance. All that's required of you is to settle in and trust a process defined by clarity, creativity, and clear communication. We listen carefully to your ideas and turn them into reality.

  • We specialize in custom homes, whole house renovations, and additions throughout Birmingham and surrounding communities. Our work spans new construction in Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills, historic renovations in Highland Park and Forest Park, and lakefront homes at Lake Martin. Whether you're building a new facility, transforming an existing space with updated kitchen and dining areas, or expanding your current house, our design build approach delivers exceptional results through intentional planning and masterful execution across projects of varying size.

  • Our superintendents maintain daily presence on active projects, conducting systematic quality inspections at every phase. Because our construction team collaborated on the design, they understand the vision intimately. Trade coordination happens seamlessly, and any field challenges are resolved quickly through direct communication. Final punch list management ensures no detail is overlooked before you take possession of your completed space. This commitment to quality is held throughout every aspect of the build.

  • Absolutely. Our integrated process allows real-time budget management and realistic schedule setting from the start. During design phases, we vet costs against ideas, preventing scope creep and unexpected expenses. You'll understand financial commitments before construction begins. We create detailed project timelines accounting for Birmingham permitting, material lead times, and seasonal considerations. Our commitment to efficient delivery means meeting expectations, not just setting them. Time and resources are managed with the same attention we bring to design.

  • While based in Homewood, we serve the greater Birmingham area including Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills, Hoover, and communities throughout Jefferson and Shelby counties. We're licensed to build in both Alabama and Tennessee, with construction projects extending to Nashville and Lake Martin. Our design services are available nationwide. If you're considering your next project in the region, contact us to discuss how our team can bring your ideas to life with the same excellence we've delivered to clients throughout AL.