Sometimes, the best partners are in your own backyard. That’s certainly true of Brissette Architects. Just miles away from Western Window Systems’ headquarters in Phoenix, the Scottsdale-based firm has worked with the door and window systems manufacturer for over 15 years.

“They take everything into consideration: the environment, the community, the culture,” says Andrew Darr, Western Window Systems’ vice president of custom sales. “And you can see the influence of Frank Lloyd Wright in the work.”

No surprise there. Ron Brissette, who founded the practice in 1994, attended the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture at Taliesin West in Scottsdale, as did partner Jeff Kamtz. The experience helped shape the firm’s design process for custom homes in Arizona.

“As a Taliesin student, I used to live in a tent in the desert. The design principle I learned was that the living experience between interior and exterior space should be nearly indistinguishable,” says Brissette. “Embracing passive design, like broad overhangs, and technology advances, such as high-performance glazing systems, make for great homes in the Arizona climate.”

Darr recalls one of his favorite projects by Brissette Architects: A contemporary home in the Estancia neighborhood of Scottsdale with mountain views.

“The south glazing fully opens and pockets to help create a seamless transition to outdoor space,” says Brissette. “The home was speculative. It sold at near full asking price the first day on the market.”

And on the firm’s partnership with Western Window Systems, Brissette adds:

“Many of the projects we’ve done together have gone on to publication and have won national awards. We look forward to continuing that relationship with projects that advance the industry and bring enjoyment to our clients.”