Hey there! My name is Dustin Ence. I am the owner, lead designer, and project manager at dustin brent design + build. I have deep and profound respect, passion, and excitement for architecture, design, and quality craftsmanship. I believe that great design, when the opportunity presents itself, should be an extension of the natural environment. It should take cues from the surrounding landscape and promote the unique features of topography, vegetation, solar path, and views that the site has to offer - all the while providing the user with the necessary living spaces. I believe quality design should deliver a cohesive concept from the overall massing and program down to the smallest details, then materialized through impeccable craft.

As the son of a general contractor and developer, I was born into the industry. As a child I would tag along with my father as he visited and worked on his construction projects. I was given the nickname “Hammer” because I would walk around the site, hammer in hand, banging on the nails heads that hadn’t quite seeded all the way - few people, to this day, still use the nickname. Through my teens I gained an appreciation for design and custom homes from visiting the local area parade of homes. Thinking back now, I can still remember the home that deeply resonated with me and subconsciously planted a passion for great design within me.

After graduating high school, in 2004, I entered the construction industry and learned the laborious craft of concrete, carpentry, and tile installation. Over the next ten years I honed my skills within each trade, especially concrete. I became fascinated with concrete and its many different uses and application methods. I studied the material for years, learning new mix designs, forming techniques, and things I could create with the liquid stone. After struggling through the recession, failed businesses, and working away from home for years, I made the decision to start college (as a 29 year old) to pursue an education. I began taking college courses while teaming up with my father to help out and learn the business of general contracting. Four years later, in 2019, I received a Bachelors degree in architecture from the University of Utah and created dustin brent design + build. In 2024, my father retired from the industry and I bought him out of the construction company he started in the mid 80’s, Sagewood Homes, which now operates as a sister company to dustin brent design + build.

I love my family and friends dearly and appreciate spending quality time with them. I enjoy fast motorcycles on curvy roads, live music, snowboarding, summer lake days, hiking around on our insanely beautiful, southern Utah landscapes, and traveling to new places.