The founder and president of D.H. Ruggles & Associates, Don Ruggles, A.I.A., has been formally recognized for his impact on business and the community in Denver, Colo.Most notably, Ruggles is credited for his efforts to bring sustainable design to the forefront of architecture and his support of architecture students.

Singled out from other nominations, this October Ruggles was recognized in the annual "Power Book" as a top Denver business newsmaker in the architect category by the Denver Business Journal, an American City Business Journals publication. Responsible for more than 600 projects in 15 states and five countries, he has had an unprecedented impact on the built environment in and around Denverover the past 35 years with timeless custom home and commercial design.

Ruggles has designed everything from a 7,000-square-foot home on a private island in the Bahamas, to award-winning family residences in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, to Devil's Thumb Ranch in Fraser, Colo., to the Lawrence Covell showroom in Cherry Creek North. His clients have ranged from the Hearst family to the Bowlens, but also include the younger generation of Denverites who are molding Denver's residential legacy, adding their own families to the future of Denver.

In January 2006, Ruggles developed a plan to ensure the future of the architects working at his company with the creation of ART (Alexis, Ruggles and Terrell). Rebecca Alexis and Ray Terrell have been working with Ruggles for eight years and will be heading up the new division. ART is an extension of D.H. Ruggles & Associates that will give the young designers in his office an outlet for sustainable, yet timeless, design.

Due to his special interest in sustainable practices, Mr. Ruggles donates office space to a budding non-profit named The Denver Sustainable Architecture Foundation. In its emerging stages, the foundation hopes to bridge the gap between good sustainable intentions and actual sustainable practices.

Ruggles is a passionate supporter of the national anti-violence program Bully-Proofing Schools and also supports local architectural students in efforts to further their education.

For more information, please call 303.355.2460 or visit www.dhruggles.com.