About Hufft

Who We Are

Hufft is an architecture and interior design studio dedicated to creating meaningful concepts inspired by people and places. Throughout our 20-year history, Hufft has grown by deeply understanding the people and places that shape each project. Our forward-thinking approach results in innovative applications of form and materials with a thorough understanding of site and context.

We specialize in projects that require distinctive solutions to complex challenges, regardless of scale or project type. Whether crafting a one-of-a-kind piece of furniture or reimagining city blocks, we are guided by the people, places, and concepts that shape each project.

Founded in 2006 by Matthew and Jesse Hufft, and joined in 2023 by partners Brad Kingsley and Jeff Kloch, our team of 35+ architects, designers, artists, and administrators work collaboratively between offices in Kansas City, MO, and Bentonville, AR. Our work has been widely published and routinely recognized for design excellence by the AIA and IIDA.

People. Places. Concept

We work in diverse locations, across a broad range of project types and scales. However, we approach each project through a consistent framework: People, Places, and Concept. This simple structure negotiates the complex relationships between building and site, program and budget, users and the environment into a cohesive whole that transcends mere problem-solving. This approach is tailored to the needs of each project, helping our clients identify and realize their goals and aspirations, while simultaneously uncovering the specific characteristics that make each project unique.

People

Buildings play an integral role in creating strong human connections. We believe that all people deserve access to well designed, healthy, and inspiring environments that are specific to the needs and values of their community.

Starting with a deep understanding of client, community, culture, and program, this human-centered approach drives the physical development of our projects. The result are buildings that are appropriately scaled and spaces that are comfortable and delightful. Our focus on people considers all scales, from planning to developing details that are functional, elegant and playful, bringing utility and joy to the people who use them.

We consider how people interact with buildings at all scales, from site planning to the details and interiors we use every day. Stair railings, door handles, tabletops, material connections…these elements bring richness to everyday experiences. The result are details that are elegant and playful, bringing utility and joy to the people who use them.

Places

We believe that buildings have a unique ability to strengthen the connection between people and the landscape, creating a sense of place that adds to our collective identity. Our approach explores the distinct characteristics of a place, highlighting the uniqueness of a geographic region, or the beauty of a specific view. From rural sites to urban environments, a thoughtful choreography between building and context creates meaningful, connected experiences between people and places.

We strive to make buildings that are not only culturally, but environmentally sensitive by responsibility utilizing our natural resources and thoughtfully considering the impact each project has on the environment.

Concept

Our process brings the exploration of people and places into a cohesive, meaningful concept for each project. This concept gives the project clarity and establishes a formal and material logic that drives design decisions, from organizing principles to details and connections. The concept for a project is informed by a collaborative exchange of ideas between the client, architect and builder.

The concept is the catalyst for design. Leading to the innovative use of form, materials, color, texture and pattern to create rich and unexpected environments that bring joy to the people who use them.

At the core of this process is exploring the potential of digital design and fabrication. We utilize a range of design tools, both analog and digital, 2 and 3 dimensional. Project concepts are explored in 3D massing studies, computer-generated environmental analysis programs and simple hand drawings and sketches. This allows us to test multiple concepts, at varying scales, uncovering unique formal, spatial and programmatic relationships of a given project.