Today we’d like to introduce you to Zach Rynders.
Hi Zach, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey into the world of architecture actually began in a completely different sector: corporate wealth management. However, like it did for so many others, 2020 changed everything.
My wife, Anna, is a licensed architect who was furloughed from her role at Life Time during the pandemic. We decided to turn that challenge into an opportunity, launching R2 Studios Architecture as a freelance venture. Through a connection from her previous manager, she began taking on design work for businesses in New Jersey. For two years, we operated in that freelance space, eventually adding two drafters to the team to keep up with the workload.
Life threw us another major curveball in 2023. We welcomed our first child, and just six months later, our primary contract in New Jersey was cut off overnight. That was the moment we stopped “freelancing” and started building a true company.
We shifted our focus entirely to the Minnesota market, leaning heavily into residential remodels and new builds. The timing was providential: in August 2023, the State of Minnesota adjusted regulations for residential assisted living facilities. Suddenly, anyone opening a new facility was required to have plans completed by a licensed architect.
That regulatory shift became the single largest event in our company’s history. Over the last two years, we have evolved into a specialized leader in this niche, helping create the plans for over 200 residential care facilities across the state.
Today, we do much more than just draw plans. We act as a “brutally honest best friend” for investors, operators, and owners. We evaluate potential homes to flag items that will not pass city or state inspections, create the stamped plans required for licensing, and guide our clients through the complex applications needed to open their facilities. We have turned a season of uncertainty into a mission to help Minnesota care providers open their doors with confidence.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I think anyone who says building a business is easy is probably kidding themselves. For us, it has been a series of reality checks that forced us to grow up fast. The biggest one was back in 2023 when we learned a brutal lesson about relying too much on one client. We had a major contract in New Jersey that basically made up our entire income. When that ended out of nowhere, our revenue hit zero overnight. It was a terrifying moment, especially since we had a six month old at home, but it is the reason we stopped playing it safe and started building a real, diversified firm here in Minnesota.
Beyond the finances, navigating a business as a married couple is its own unique challenge, especially because our roles are so intertwined with the success of our clients. That partnership is what allows us to stay on top of the regulatory side of things, which is where the real pressure lies. In the assisted living world, the rules change constantly. There is a lot of weight on our shoulders to stay ahead of every state update because our clients are counting on us to lead them through a really complex licensing journey.
The ultimate turning point for us was actually a personal one. Last year, I was hospitalized for ten days, which made us realize the business was far too dependent on us personally. It was the catalyst we needed to stop doing everything manually. It forced us to build out the automated systems and project roadmaps we use now so that the business can take care of our clients even when we have to step away. Every one of those struggles has just made us a more reliable partner for the 200 plus owners we have helped since we started.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about R2 Studios Architecture?
While we still take on the occasional residential or commercial project for our existing clients, we have become known as one of the only architecture firms in Minnesota that truly specializes in converting existing houses into Residential Assisted Living Facilities. There are plenty of firms that can design a new building from the ground up, but we are one of the very few that keeps everything in house. We do not outsource the drafting or the architectural stamping of our projects, which allows us to maintain complete control over the quality and speed of the design work.
What really sets us apart is that we do not just hand over a set of blueprints and walk away. We act as architectural consultants who stay on top of the ever-changing state regulations so our clients do not have to. We are often right there in the dirt, walking properties with owners and pointing out exactly what will fail a city or state inspection before they even buy the building. We do the “dirty work” to educate our clients, remove expensive surprises, and make the application process much easier. Because we handle city permit applications and consult on Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) requirements, we can guide a client all the way through the licensing process from start to finish.
I am incredibly proud of the fact that we are evolving into a full-cycle partner for our clients. Big things are on the horizon for R2 Studios as I have officially begun the process of obtaining my real estate license. Over the next year, we are integrating property acquisition into our consulting services. We want to be the partner who ensures the facility you buy is actually a facility you can open without renovation nightmares. We are also launching a local community for our clients and anyone else in Minnesota interested in this industry. Our goal is to create a space for networking and information sharing that helps everyone in our network become a better, more successful operator for their residents.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
One thing people might not realize is that I am not just a consultant in this space. One of my own personal goals is to eventually build and operate my own residential assisted living facility, just like the clients we work for every day. I look at all of our projects through the lens of a future owner and operator.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://r2studiosarchitecture.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/r2studiosarchitecture
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/r2studiosarchitecture
