Michael Rickman, founder and principal of RAD, spent more than a decade at several Atlanta-based architecture firms before opening his own studio focused on social enterprise. Before starting RAD, Michael’s professional career flourished, yet he was fundamentally unsatisfied. He recognized his work, while good, wasn’t realizing architecture’s potential to bring true value into people’s lives.

In 2016, Michael met several individuals and companies that introduced him to the term “social impact” and “social enterprise”. This new network of people incorporated a “conscious capitalism” approach with their businesses to make an impact on social needs and restore lives. The idea that business can maximize profits while also maximizing benefits to society and the environment sparked a new passion.

Michael wondered, “Why can’t architects operate this way? We have the skillset to be a catalyst for good. People matter. Creative problem-solving through architecture and design can serve others.” From this point forward, he longed to leverage his training and skills for sustainable social good. In 2017, Michael launched RAD and has been striving toward its vision of building a better future ever since.  Michael graduated from the School of Architecture at Southern Polytechnic State University in 2004 and is a registered Architect with the State of Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, New Jersey and Wisconsin.

Taylor joined RAD in 2021 and hasn't left since! She received her Bachelor's in Architecture at Kennesaw State University. She believes design should make a lasting impact to better its users and the community in which it thrives. When she is not spending time with her family, she is studying to knock out her exams! She enjoys traveling, eating brownies, and the color red.

Rachel is the glue that holds RAD together. She maintains all of RAD’s office finances, procedures and even separates our M&Ms into color coordinated jars per Michael’s request. She is originally from Villa Rica, GA and is the only smart one in our company who has not gone through the process of obtaining an architecture degree, instead she is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at Troy University. Over the last 4 years she has moved 4 different times and is ready to stay in one place for a while! We are glad she has decided to stay here! In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband Caleb, two sons Eden and Elias, and dog Olive!

Born in Bogota, Colombia, Julian Leguizamon studied at Southern Polytechnic State University, Atlanta, graduating in 2013. He began his career in architecture at Dwell Design Studio, where he worked primarily in designing and producing multifamily buildings, single residential homes, and retail projects for five years. After that, Julian worked for two firms for another five years before landing at RAD. He is passionate about architecture, thrives for better design, and believes that architecture should be for all and not for those who can afford it. Julian believes architecture should go beyond economic boundaries and be accessible to all. Architecture is not merely about buildings but weaving narratives, uplifting communities, and enhancing the human experience. With each project, he hopes to create spaces that inspire, empower, and embrace the diversity of each community. For him, architecture should be more about the quality of spaces and the relationship between design and humanity.

RAD is built on the partnership of Michael and his wife, Ashlee. Ashlee maintains the business development side of RAD while also managing the busy Rickman household; homeschooling their three beautiful children, Rhyce, Maci, and Jax; and feeding Michael (perhaps her most demanding vocation). She worked in the financial world while completing her degree in education at the University of West Georgia. After graduating in 2006, she worked in the Paulding County School System as a Special Education teacher until she felt called to be a home educator. She is always smiling, making friends, and sharing RAD’s vision of social enterprise.

Hi, I’m Brayden Champ. I currently work at Rickman Architecture & Design (RAD), where my journey began with the Reunification Project, which helped me land my role here in 2024. I’ve been immersed in every Adobe Suite application since 2012, honing my skills in design and architecture. Outside of work, I’m passionate about urban planning and design. My path into this field has been shaped by diverse experiences, including my time as a student teaching intern for Graphic Design at North Carroll College & Career Academy before joining RAD. One thing that drives me is a need for constant creativity. I often find myself starting new projects to keep boredom at bay. This creative streak was evident even as a kid—once, I reverse-engineered a teacher’s key just for fun, which led to an investigation by my school district’s superintendent because they thought my mom was behind it!

Marktavious Zanzabar is a key contributor to RAD. He is everywhere and nowhere at the same time. He graduated from the el Universidad de Zanzibar y Tu Mama Tambien in 2008 with a degree in Fictitious Architecture and has really done nothing in terms of a professional career since. Or has he done everything? He is the architectural equivalent of Schrodinger’s cat. His favorite color is cornflower blue and he constantly naps at work. When he occasionally rouses from deep REM sleep, he has been known to answer emails in a perfectly executed haiku or not at all. He doesn’t believe in Santa or drink water or have a belly button. But he does always smell like fresh Gorgonzola shoved in a gym sock that’s been slowly heating on an exposed radiator all morning (Hunter’s preferred lunch). We love Marktavious of Zanzibar y tu mama tambien, despite the fact that he is not a person at all. Or is he the most human of us all? He currently resides somewhere in our technology as the copier/fax/server/etc. because the rent was too damn high. Due to the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, we’re never actually sure where he is or how fast he is going. We feel pretty certain he’s wearing a tight black t-shirt, though. Feel free to reach out to him and see if he responds with a masterful haiku: mz@radga.com.