ABOUT US

About Art Of Structure

Art Of Structure was born during the great housing recession. The idea was to develop a brand that was unique to the building industry in the local market. Ocala has some of the best builders in the state, however when looking outside in, all of the homes were similar in design and construction. Not to say that any of them were bad, as each builder brought something unique to his or her own home, but they all felt the same. 

The idea with Art Of Structure was to push the envelope in design and construction. To embrace influences used throughout the world, and build houses that would be recognizable as the brand, that is Art Of Structure. Think different. Think outside the box. Think Art Of Structure.

About Fred Rust-

Fred Rust was born in Miami and moved to the Ocala Marion County area in 1985. Construction has been in Fred’s family for over three generations. Fred’s grandfather was in excavating business, digging many miles of drainage canals in Homestead Florida. Fred’s father was a union crane operator, who was part of building Miami’s skyline down Brickell Ave. Eventually he too was back in the excavation and site development industry, becoming the second largest excavating company in Miami-Dade County. With the rise of drug related crime in the 80’s, Fred’s family decided to move north, and settled in Ocala. 

Fred went on to finish high school, and graduated from North Marion High. Like his father and grandfather, he immediately joined the family business. The business had evolved as the market had as well, and now the primary focus was on environmental remediation and gas station construction. With projects ranging from south Florida to the panhandle, Fred gained valuable experience in many different aspects of construction. Fred was involved in the fuel tank removal and remediation of contaminated soil in almost every state prison in Florida. Fred worked inside of many industry giants such as Georgia Pacific, Tampa Electric Co Op, Tropicana Juices, Pepsico, and many more. Of most personal interest, was being involved in the remediation of both St. Pete and Clearwater Beaches during the Exxon Valdez oil spill.

In 1999 Fred and his wife Lydia started a brick installation business, Florida Hardscapes & Design. They also began construction on their own personal home in Fellowship Florida, the heart of horse country. The business grew as Lydia was actively selling projects with their first child in tote. In 2003 they moved into The Villages market, completing over 45 recreation centers, The Villages Charter School, Library, Hospice, and many more commercial projects. 

In 2005 Fred picked up Roberts Quarter Horse Farm, Golden Ocala, and most of the contractors building in there at that time. The company completed many roadways throughout the development, The Golden Ocala Spa and Fitness Center, and over 90% of the residential driveways and pool decks. While the installation business was going strong, Fred and Lydia opened a retail hardscape supply business in the Magnolia Business District, downtown Ocala. The business known as Bricks & Stone’s, focused on outdoor living, stone veneer, retaining walls, and brick pavers. With over 80,000 sf of material in the yard at any given time, and utilizing their own delivery trucks, tractor trailers, and dump trucks, Bricks & Stone’s was on the way to expansion in neighboring markets. 

Enter the 2007 housing recession. The biggest housing decline in history. Some 1100 jobs were lost with just one company in Ocala. Construction all but stopped. Business were closing, as people were moving out of the area. The struggle to stay afloat went on for about two years, at which point Fred and Lydia decided to close the doors to their companies. Like the many businesses in Ocala, Fred and Lydia lost most of their assets in the process. 

It was decided in 2010, that Fred would fulfill his longtime dream of building custom homes, and after completing the State Exam, Fred became a State Certified General Contractor. In 2012 Art Of Structure was officially born. Now Fred had to go out and compete with the many contractors that he has subcontracted for. He knew he had to be different. To offer a product that the market wasn’t embracing locally. Risking it all, will it work? Time will be the judge, and Art Of Structure will be the brand.

Personal Life-

Fred married Lydia in 1996. Together they have four children, two boys, and two girls, from 21 years in age to 13 years in age. Lydia is Owner/ Broker of 55th Lane Real Estate. They call Ocala home, and are busy with their family and pets. Fred holds a state general contractors license, state home inspector license, and is a licensed private pilot.