About Us
Learn about who we are
My name is Dustin Ence, and I am the owner, lead designer, and project manager at Dustin Brent Design + Build and Sagewood Homes. With a deep respect, passion, and excitement for architecture, design, and quality craftsmanship, I strive to create homes that reflect both beauty and functionality.
I believe that great design, when the opportunity arises, should be an extension of the natural environment. Architecture should take cues from the surrounding landscape, emphasizing the unique features of topography, vegetation, solar path, and views. It should harmoniously blend with nature while providing the necessary living spaces. I am committed to delivering design that flows cohesively from the overall massing and layout down to the smallest details, brought to life through impeccable craftsmanship.
Established in 2019
As the son of a general contractor and developer, I was born into the construction industry. From a young age, I accompanied my father to his construction sites, where I earned the nickname "Hammer" for walking around with a hammer in hand, tapping in nails that hadn’t fully seated. That nickname stuck, and a few people still use it today.
In my teens, I began to develop an appreciation for design and custom homes, often visiting the local area’s Parade of Homes. One home, in particular, left a lasting impression on me, planting a subconscious passion for great design that would shape my future.
After high school, in 2004, I entered the construction field, learning the laborious craft of concrete, carpentry, and tile installation. Over the next decade, I honed my skills, particularly in concrete. I became fascinated with the material, studying its many uses and applications. I experimented with mix designs, forming techniques, and exploring the creative potential of what I call "liquid stone."
Despite facing the challenges of the recession, failed businesses, and working away from home for years, I made the decision, at 29, to start college. I enrolled in architecture courses while also working with my father to learn the business of general contracting. Four years later, in 2019, I earned a Bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Utah and founded Dustin Brent Design + Build.
In 2024, after my father’s retirement, I bought him out of the company he founded in the mid-80s, Sagewood Homes. The company now operates as a sister company to Dustin Brent Design + Build, allowing us to offer a full design-build service with a legacy of quality craftsmanship.
My family helped settle some of the southern Utah cities, bringing irrigation water in via canal. This legacy gives me a major sense of responsibility to ensure that, even with growth and development, the beauty and character of the land are preserved and translated into the built environment.
I love my family and friends dearly, and I cherish spending quality time with them. I’m married to my beautiful wife, Melanie, and we have four amazing children: Bryn, Crew, Arlo, and Jude. Outside of work, I enjoy fast motorcycles on winding roads, live music, snowboarding, summer lake days, hiking through the stunning landscapes of southern Utah, and traveling to new places.