Michael Rust’s Biography, Green Architect Phoenix

Wright Legacy:

Prior to starting his own firm, Michael D. Rust worked for Taliesin Architects, the successor firm to Frank Lloyd Wright, which started in 1893. The Taliesin staff included engineers, certified planners, landscape architects, interior designers and an ADA consultant. Committed to creating visionary buildings based on the organic principles first espoused by Wright, Taliesin Architects completed more than 2,000 projects throughout the United States and abroad. Projects included religious facilities; mixed-use master plans; civic and governmental facilities; community centers; arts, education and healthcare facilities; industrial, corporate, retail and commercial buildings; clubhouses; resorts; hotels; restaurants; and residences.

Taliesin Architects achieved an unparalleled reputation for designing innovative buildings in harmony with their sites; aesthetic as well as functional for their users, and contextually appropriate to the culture in which they reside. The firm's professional design services included architectural project programming, master planing, landscape architecture, interior design, feasibility studies, environmental studies, structural engineering, graphic and product design, and iconographic development. From 1964 to 1998 Taliesin Architects were the recipients of more than thirty distinguished awards for their work including numerous American Institute of Architects' Special Recognition Awards and Certificates of Honor from the Structural Engineers Association.

While enrolled in the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture, Michael Rust worked on many of the above mentioned building types while serving on architectural teams managed by John Rattenbury and William Wesley Peters, both original apprentices of Mr. Wright. With registrations to practice architecture in Arizona and California, Michael Rust has focused his private practice on designing custom residential and commercial projects for the past 12 years.

Michael Rust's Education:

Michael Rust’s interest in organic architecture evolved directly from his training. After attending Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio, he joined the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture in 1982. Michael worked on more than 300 projects during his nine-year apprenticeship. In 1989, Michael was the third person to receive an accredited degree from the school, and a year later he became the youngest person invited to join The Taliesin Senior Fellowship staff. Today he provides Frank Lloyd Wright plans for clients that are serious about building an organic, Wright-inspired structure.

Architectural Experience:

Michael Rust Architect LLC was formed in 2001 as a Chandler, Arizona-based architectural design company committed to providing custom design work and delivering Frank Llyod Wright plans that result in amazing Wright inspired residences and commercial building. Michael previously headed RDS (Rust Design Services), which was founded as a division of Nesco Mfg. Inc. Michael provided several custom residential and commercial designs and was actively involved as a project manager for large subcontractor design and installation projects contracted by Nesco Mfg. Inc. RDS was purchased by Taliesin Architects in 1998.

Registered Architect:

Michael Rust is registered as an architect in Arizona, and California. Since most states do not require a licensed architect within the state to design residential and small commercial structures, Michael, as a green architect can work with clients nationally. If licensing is needed, Michael provides this requirement through his partnering architects.