R squared specializes in a single source design build approach that streamlines the process of any project and combines it with open book accounting to ensure transparency. On some projects the spreadsheet is a powerful design tool. 

Other clients are more concerned with a custom product that exactly fits their needs. Our interior design process listens first and presents ideas that fit the precepts and needs of the client.


  • Interior Designer

    Liz has been a creative since childhood.  Her many artistic passions were channeled into an Art History degree from Santa Clara University and broad travel pursuits.  An impressionable year of living abroad with Rome as a home base further fueled her appreciation for cultural diversity.  Next was forays into Santa Francisco and Chicago Auction House Employment.  First in Estate Appraisals and then as Administrator of Fine Paintings.  Once landed in Denver, an Interior Design degree from The Art Institute of Denver added to her caché of skills.  Not long after a marriage with Tom was another joint venture starting R Squared (Restivo & Restivo) Design Build.  R2 emerged into the Denver Residential construction world in 2004. Queue into the present and this small firm with a big heart and grit to match has skillfully willed into being personal showcases for their endearing clients.


  • General Contractor

    Tom Restivo has spent his entire career practicing design and construction and sees the two as inherently linked. In the College of Architecture at the University of Arizona he first saw the value of understanding means and methods as a sure path to better design and construction. With a degree in Architecture completed in 1992 he began working in Colorado for various builders. At Palace Construction there were residential and commercial projects of all scales, at the Collaborative Group in Beaver Creek he gained experience working directly with architects as partners working for the same company and supervised the construction of very complex custom homes. This experience cemented his understanding of and belief in the design build process. After a couple of years working for Esprit Homes back in Denver building over 30 semi-custom homes, he returned to the design build ethos at Buchannan Yonushewski Group. There the design build process fit urban infill and adaptive reuse projects elegantly. The inevitable change that occurs when working with an existing building was managed efficiently in house with a direct line of communication to the architect. 

    A partnership at Solid Architectural Design proved irresistible with speculative new construction of single and multi family projects and partnership with licensed architect Owen Beard. Simultaneously, R Squared design build was formed with Liz Restivo for smaller interior projects and some interior design consulting for  Solid Architectural Design. In 2008 speculative work became impractical and to address lean times Tom devoted all his professional effort to R Squared.

    With a long list of happy clients R Squared design build has successfully designed and built kitchen and bath remodels and large addition projects throughout Park Hill, Crestmoor Park, Bonnie Brae, Country Club, Hilltop and Washington Park. Partnered with several local architects R Squared has also done interior design specification and construction of new homes and large additions and remodels. The design build process has proven very successful.

    Please take a moment to look at some of our adventures.