Collection by Aaron Britt

Architect Matthew Hufft

Matthew Hufft is the principal and founder of Hufft Projects and the fabrication stuido MAKE, both young Kansas City, Missouri, firms that we've been keeping an eye on here at Dwell. After a phone conversation he and Senior Editor Aaron Britt had before the holidays, we figured we'd put a few more questions to him and share the result, and some of his work, with you.

To see images of Hufft's work, visit the slideshow.

Ideal working environment:My home office, in my slippers, 10 pm, jazz playing, dogs (Blue and Coltrane) at my feet.Lucky break:My parents commissioning me to design their house - The Line House.Dream commission:Our own home, which we are just now starting to design.Hero:My Miele coffee machine at the office - it greets me with a perfect cup of coffee every morning. Anti-hero:Petroleum Addiction and those that are in a position to help the world but choose profit instead. Irritating buzzword:Green.Highest compliment:Being asked to build someone’s home. A home is where you eat, sleep, make memories – it’s the most intimate space. I never get over being entrusted with that responsibility. A book:Hot, Flat and Crowded by Thomas l. Friedman.A film:The Right StuffAn album:Yankee Hotel Foxtrot by Wilco.Eureka moment:My son, Rock's, birth.Worst ever idea:A third martini.Best advice:With passion and perseverance you can do anything.When not designing:This means I would be sleeping.Best seat in the house:Balcony, front row, aisle with Jesse, my wife, seated next to me.I wish I had:More time.Looking forward to:The launch of my new outdoor furniture line Edwin Blue, which is set for this year, but in the short term, a martini... I never learn.

Dubbed "Modern with a Side of Ranch," this house in Leawood, Kansas, marries a modern addition to an existing ranch style home.
Dubbed "Modern with a Side of Ranch," this house in Leawood, Kansas, marries a modern addition to an existing ranch style home.
The Curved House in Springfield, Missouri, offers a cozy fire pit in an interior courtyard.
The Curved House in Springfield, Missouri, offers a cozy fire pit in an interior courtyard.
Hufft designed the Line House for his parents, many an architect's good first client.
Hufft designed the Line House for his parents, many an architect's good first client.
The Green Circle Shopping Center in Springfield, Missouri, has a green roof for customers and employees to use, saved a myriad of trees in how it was sited and makes use of geothermal energy. Hufft expects it will get a LEED Platinum certification.
The Green Circle Shopping Center in Springfield, Missouri, has a green roof for customers and employees to use, saved a myriad of trees in how it was sited and makes use of geothermal energy. Hufft expects it will get a LEED Platinum certification.
R.B. Murray and Co's office in Springfield, Missouri, is defined by its butterfly roof and a large brick box.
R.B. Murray and Co's office in Springfield, Missouri, is defined by its butterfly roof and a large brick box.
The Bent/Sliced home's form mirrors a bit of Japanese origami, with its canted angle and high clerestories.
The Bent/Sliced home's form mirrors a bit of Japanese origami, with its canted angle and high clerestories.
This is one of our favorite details of the Bent/Sliced house. The wooden slats with vertical house number feels quite modern and very sophisticated.
This is one of our favorite details of the Bent/Sliced house. The wooden slats with vertical house number feels quite modern and very sophisticated.
The Aperture, installed at the Curved House, was fabricated by MAKE Studios and frames the view of the nearby landscape in hot and cold rolled steel.
The Aperture, installed at the Curved House, was fabricated by MAKE Studios and frames the view of the nearby landscape in hot and cold rolled steel.
The Hill House's kitchen door has a cleverly recessed pocket to house a chalk tray and eraser. The adjacent fireplace is faced in slate and doubles as a drawing wall for the kids.
The Hill House's kitchen door has a cleverly recessed pocket to house a chalk tray and eraser. The adjacent fireplace is faced in slate and doubles as a drawing wall for the kids.
One of our favorite MAKE-made details in the Hufft catalog is this screen in the "Modern with a Side of Ranch" house. Made of walnut plywood, steel rods and 3form, the the shape and materials are echoed later in the dining room credenza.
One of our favorite MAKE-made details in the Hufft catalog is this screen in the "Modern with a Side of Ranch" house. Made of walnut plywood, steel rods and 3form, the the shape and materials are echoed later in the dining room credenza.
Here's another view of the entry screen. We love the cubby just at shoulder level, perfect for storing your keys and such.
Here's another view of the entry screen. We love the cubby just at shoulder level, perfect for storing your keys and such.
The credenza by MAKE, at left, in the "Modern with a Side of Ranch" house gives the dining room a somewhat rustic, industrial feel, and is made of walnut plywood, steel rods and brushed aluminum.
The credenza by MAKE, at left, in the "Modern with a Side of Ranch" house gives the dining room a somewhat rustic, industrial feel, and is made of walnut plywood, steel rods and brushed aluminum.