Rob Livingston
Expert Home and Log Home Designer, Developer & Entrepreneur
It’s been nearly 30 years since Rob Livingston first picked up a hammer and began framing a home for the first time. Today, with a distinctive portfolio including earth shelter homes, custom log homes, ‘green’ homes, commercial buildings and numerous bed and breakfast inns, he has become one of the country’s prominent log home crafters. Rob credits his success to not only hard work and undying family support, but to the luck of finding his natural ability for architecture and design at an early age.
Called a visionary by some, Rob takes an organic approach to building a home. “After listening to my description he picked up a pencil and sketched the home, right then and there,” recalls a client. “He asked if that’s what I had in mind and I told him it was perfect. In the course of a few days they were building, and in a matter of months his sketch had come alive—and I don’t recall ever seeing any plans!” he jokes. “It was simply amazing to witness.” His passion, drive, and ability are palpable when first meeting Rob. This is often why he is so popular among his clients.
In 1978, Rob founded RL Construction & Design with his wife and two employees. They started first with remodeling projects and room additions, and shortly expanded into full service home design and construction outfit. Over 15 years ago, Rob began exploring the artisanship of log home design and it was there he discovered his true craft. After moving to the Black Hills of South Dakotand value their work as much as I do.”a, he began specializing in post beam and log home design and construction. RL Construction & Design now employs 42 and offers complete home design services including design, construction, handcrafted logs and interior design. Rob attributes the company’s success to their ability to meet the clients’ needs with quality and one-of-a-kind craftsmanship. “Our staff have impressive skills and great attitudes,” he contends, “but each also has a great sense of teamwork and pride in building dream for our clients.”
Rob has learned to face challenges by implementing his own experiences into problem solving for his clients; some say that’s one of his strongest assets. “Designing someone’s custom home, often their dream home, that match their needs to their bank account takes more than just the ability to play with numbers,” explains Rob. “It’s out of the box thinking that has become so valuable to my clients and me.” In the course of devising ways to help his clients to stay on budget, Rob began using trees and rocks from the property as a result he has now evolved into an eco-friendly, ‘green’ builder.
Though Rob has extensive education and experience in mechanical drafting, architectural design, framing and construction, he continues to stay apprised of the industry’s ever-changing trends and innovations with continuing education classes and builder conferences. Rob is a graduate of John Mackey School of Log Smith and Home Design Classes, at Denver University. He is an active member of the Hill City Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Committee of Hill City, Black Hills Builder Association and the National Homebuilders Association.
Rob lives in one of his own spectacular log homes overlooking Mt. Rushmore and Harney Peak with his wife Kim and their kids. An avid hunter, golfer and overall outdoorsman, Rob values spending time with his family above all.
