Nugent Design Build began in 1985 in Alexandria, Virginia focusing on fine woodworking, cabinetry, and detailing – which remains the hallmark of our custom designs & construction. Licensed in Maryland and Virginia, we are experienced in all facets of homebuilding as well as being exceptionally creative problem solvers. Our headquarters are located in the top floor of Nugent Marina in Deale, MD along the Chesapeake Bay – just South of Annapolis. Although our office is within Anne Arundel County, we service many areas in Maryland and Northern Virginia.
What makes us unique? We offer exceptional levels of both design and construction. The design of your home or renovation and the construction of it are all done by one company. This allows for more collaboration before and during the process, ensuring the design vision for the home matches what is possible through construction.
Our specialty is waterfront homes. Our experience in designing and building custom waterfront homes has resulted in our ability to optimize our home designs for waterfront living. We are very knowledgeable of the complex codes and regulations of building along the Bay. Our waterfront home designs maximize waterfront living in every way and are built to withstand the elements.
John Nugent was born and raised in McLean, Virginia. The eldest son of eight children, John soon learned the values of patience and leadership. He studied education at George Mason University but after three years grew rather tired of it. It was in 1980 that John decided to spend all of his savings on a small sailboat and a solo mission to Freeport, Grand Bahama Islands. At the time he boarded his vessel, John had little to no knowledge as to how to man a sailboat but gradually taught himself throughout his journey. Upon reaching his destination, he became a dive instructor pursuing this career as well as the laid-back Bahamian lifestyle for a number of years.
John did finally sail back and upon his return, he began design classes at the University of Maryland. After two years of study, John traded his sailboat for a small carpentry shop in Alexandria, Virginia. It was here in this tiny workshop that Nugent Design Build was born. The company started off with custom cabinet building, working on various shops and bars in Old Towne. Over the following years, the company expanded into home restoration, home additions, and finally custom home building and design. Nugent Design Build has certainly come a long way since its humble beginnings, working successfully with clients to conceive, draft and build custom designed homes throughout the Greater Washington Business area.
John now lives and works out of his home offices, which in 1999 he designed and built, in West River, Maryland. John has a love for the water and boating and takes advantage of every opportunity to sail the Chesapeake Bay.
Nick Devereux is a lifelong Alexandria resident and twenty-year employee of Nugent Design Build. When he first came to Nugent, the company specialized in cabinet design and production. As the company moved into renovating and building additions to homes, many of them in historic Old Town, Nick took on project management duties in addition to building.
Over the years, Nick has been responsible for a wide range of projects, from small bungalows to large contemporary homes, from properties in urban neighborhoods to houses on the Chesapeake Bay. In his role as Operations Manager, Nick is responsible for ground-up construction, managing the various teams necessary to complete a home, from the ground breaking to the moment the owners move in.
Nick lives with his wife Laura and four children in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria. He recently embarked on his most ambitious project yet – a large two-story addition to the family home.
“I enjoy the start of every new project, because you have a fresh slate. Each job has its own unique challenges. Every building is a new learning experience.”
Alex Devereux is a lifelong resident of Alexandria, Virginia. He has been an employee of Nugent Design Build since its beginnings as a cabinet design and production company in 1984. Starting off as an assistant, Alex’s skills and duties grew as the company expanded into building renovation and finally custom home building. He now specializes in all areas of carpentry from framing houses to cabinetry and holds the official title of Project Manager.
Alex has worked for Nugent Design Build for over 20 years. He has experience in nearly all fields of custom home building including landscaping and water conservation.
Over the years, Alex has developed a passion for music. He has played trumpet, drums, and piano for various bands. Though not currently involved in a musical group, Alex still finds time to practice and develop his musical skills.
Alex lives with his wife Vickie and their three rescued dogs, Krumpy, Bobo and Goliath in Alexandria, down the street from the house in which he grew up.
Our Financial Administrator, Vanessa, was born in Washington, DC and raised in Southern Maryland. She began working for Nugent Design Build in 2006 after 20 years in public accounting. That experience has made her an integral part of the Nugent team.
Vanessa currently lives in Deale, Maryland with her husband, Joe, of 25 years, and their menagerie of dogs, cats, and woodland creatures.
A Maryland native, Alex has worked with Nugent Design Build since 2010 after graduating with a Bachelor of Architecture from Virginia Tech’s nationally-ranked College of Architecture and Design. He has additional experience in both interior design and engineering-focused architecture firms in Washington, DC. Currently, Alex is our primary designer and is responsible for generating permits, preparing budgets, and managing construction projects from the office.
Alex respects the home as a place of comfort and support, which he strives to convey in every residential project through a variety of styles. Each home has its own set of challenges and barriers; Alex likes to leverage these as opportunities to create dynamic design and character. “Obstructions must not be seen as limiting to creativity, but as opportunities that would not have been found otherwise.”
Alex now lives in Riva, Maryland with his wife, Sarah, and their two cats.