Our team at Durant Design & Construction is made up of experienced builders, architects, designers, project managers, office staff, and skilled craftspeople who all share a commitment to thoughtful work and strong relationships. With six job foremen, a dedicated in-house field crew, and a collaborative office team, we approach every project with care, communication, and pride in the details.

What truly sets Durant apart, however, is the culture behind the work. As a family-founded company, we believe the best projects are built through trust, respect, and genuine collaboration — both within our team and with our clients. Many of the relationships formed throughout the design and construction process continue long after a project is complete, creating a sense of connection that feels deeply personal and lasting.

From the earliest design conversations to the final walkthrough, our goal is simple: to make clients feel supported, heard, and proud of the spaces we create together.

 
 

Design Team

 
 

  • With 27 years of experience in residential design, Ruben brings thoughtful creativity and technical expertise to every Durant project. His interest in architecture began in a seventh-grade wood shop class, where students were challenged to draft, build, and assemble structural models strong enough to stand on. That early hands-on experience sparked a lifelong passion for design and construction.

    As a designer at Durant, Ruben focuses on project feasibility, space planning, and design development for both ground-up custom homes and large-scale renovations. He particularly enjoys residential projects in modern, Spanish, and Craftsman styles, where thoughtful detailing and architectural character play a central role in the design process.

    Ruben is especially skilled in 3D visualization and modeling, using these tools to help clients better understand a project while identifying design opportunities and construction conflicts early in the process. He believes successful projects begin with understanding a client’s true needs first, then layering in creativity and innovation through collaboration.

    His favorite part of the job is seeing clients respond positively to the team’s ideas and knowing they feel genuinely excited about the final result.

    Outside of work, Ruben enjoys one very important thing: tacos.

  • Jessie Artigue is an interior designer with a background in visual storytelling that spans from branding to fashion to product design. Since joining Durant in 2025, she has helped expand the firm’s interior design offerings, focusing on material selection, finish coordination, furnishing concepts, and creating spaces that feel both elevated and deeply personal.

    Before transitioning to interior design, Jessie spent years working in creative strategy and brand development for a number of companies including Vogue, Airbnb, Nordstrom, Gap, Sprint, and Harper’s Bazaar. Drawn to the emotional impact of thoughtfully designed spaces, she shifted her focus to interiors and completed her schooling through Rhode Island School of Design.

    At Durant, Jessie collaborates closely with both clients and the construction team to guide projects from early concept development through final selections and styling. She is especially passionate about historic homes, layered materials, and preserving the character of a space while bringing warmth, functionality, and modern livability to the design.

    Outside of work, Jessie enjoys many creative pursuits and if she's not sourcing art and decor for her local vintage shop, she is probably sewing, exercising, or spending time with her friends and family. Jessie Artigue is an interior designer with a background in visual storytelling that spans from branding to fashion to product design. Since joining Durant in 2025, she has helped expand the firm’s interior design offerings, focusing on material selection, finish coordination, furnishing concepts, and creating spaces that feel both elevated and deeply personal.

    Before transitioning to interior design, Jessie spent years working in creative strategy and brand development for a number of companies including Vogue, Airbnb, Nordstrom, Gap, Sprint, and Harper’s Bazaar. Drawn to the emotional impact of thoughtfully designed spaces, she shifted her focus to interiors and completed her schooling through Rhode Island School of Design.

    At Durant, Jessie collaborates closely with both clients and the construction team to guide projects from early concept development through final selections and styling. She is especially passionate about historic homes, layered materials, and preserving the character of a space while bringing warmth, functionality, and modern livability to the design.

    Outside of work, Jessie enjoys many creative pursuits and if she's not sourcing art and decor for her local vintage shop, she is probably sewing, exercising, or spending time with her friends and family. 

  • With more than 30 years of experience spanning construction and architecture, David brings a uniquely well-rounded perspective to the Durant team. After working in concrete construction and serving in the Army, he began his architectural career in 1998, later becoming a licensed California architect in 2006. His background in both hands-on building and architectural design gives him a deep understanding of how thoughtful ideas are successfully brought to life in the field.

    Since joining Durant in 2024, David has focused on architectural design, construction documentation, project coordination, and cost estimating for custom residential projects. Over the course of his career, he has specialized in high-end custom homes along the California coast and within golf course communities, while also contributing to select commercial projects including breweries, auto dealerships, and tenant improvements.

    He particularly enjoys the collaborative nature of Durant’s design-build process and values the strong relationships formed with both clients and teammates throughout a project. Inspired by the character and craftsmanship of Long Beach’s historic homes, he thrives on the creative challenges that come with designing spaces that feel both timeless and deeply personal.

    Outside of work, David enjoys spending time with his children and grandchildren, playing billiards and recreational sports, woodworking, working on cars, and practicing kenpo.

  • Daniella is a licensed California architect with more than 25 years of experience in residential design and construction. She collaborates with the Durant team on architectural design, project coordination, permitting, and construction administration, bringing a thoughtful and multidisciplinary perspective to each project.

    Drawn to architecture by its ability to shape and enhance everyday life, Daniella is passionate about creating homes that are both beautiful and deeply functional. In addition to her architectural background, she is also trained in interior design, landscape and hardscape design, and has extensive hands-on construction experience — allowing her to approach projects with a holistic understanding of how spaces are designed, built, and experienced.

    Daniella especially enjoys residential work and values the collaborative process between clients, architects, and builders. She believes the most successful projects emerge when talented teams come together with a shared investment in creating something meaningful and well-crafted.

    Outside of work, Daniella enjoys reading, attending art and music events, and kickboxing.