Originally published on CaliforniaHomeDesign.com

Hulett Jones started the SF-based studio jones|haydu with his business partner Paul Haydu in 2004, and since then he has been involved in some of our favorite architectural projects in recent Bay Area history. jones|haydu have completed commercial and residential architecture and design projects that range from a charming Castro remodel to full-scale commercial store-fronts, handling both with huge creativity, creating visual interest and major impact without ever erring on the side of too flashy. Their overall structural style is modern and clean, but no two projects look alike. We appreciate how each home or business seems to have its own heart and soul, and love how they rely on a genius master floor plan and well thought out architectural details instead of gaudy interior design to make their spaces truly unique. We would happily live or work in any of their designs. Race you to the sunny roof deck!

1. Where do you currently live in CA and what's special about how you've designed your personal space?

I live the quintessential example of "the cobbler's children wear no shoes." I recently moved from a rental in the Mission (San Francisco) to a rental in Piedmont. I tend to experiment in these spaces every way I can, primarily with furniture arrangement, color, and organization.

2. What's your dream design project? Who would it be for (dead or alive)?

Dead: I would love to design anything for Marcel Duchamp. His conceptual work was very spatial, exploratory, sensory, humorous. I would have loved the chance to find that expression in architecture.

Living: The architect Samuel Mockbee started an amazing program at Auburn University that he called "Rural Studio". In short, the program designed and built a myriad of housing and community buildings while teaching architecture students about the social responsibilities of the profession. I would love to do the same thing, but on an urban scale. It would take an enormous amount of funding. In San Francisco, it would take Herculean efforts with the Planning process. Perhaps a dream. Perhaps not.

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