Q+A: Architect Mark Jensen

Mark Jensen is the principal of San Francisco-based architecture firm whose work includes projects like the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art’s award-winning rooftop sculpture garden (above) to lovingly detailed hillside homes. Here we take a tour of his homes and learn more about a shift in the way we work that informs his residential designs.

Above: Mark Jensesn at work. Photo: Jensen Architects

You are the principal architect of an 18-person firm that was established in 1990. Can you tell us about what drew you to architecture? Two things: first, my German grandfather hand-crafted a collection of solid maple building blocks for his grandson (thankfully, he didn’t have the tools in his garage-shop to make “blobs”). Second, my high school geometry teacher (a “recovering” architect himself) took one look at my hyper-organized class binder and said to me: “Mark, you are going to be an architect.”

Above: The Kokoris residence. Photos: Cesar Rubio.

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Best Business Hotels?

Many of us travel for work. There’s no getting around that. Some of us may be lucky enough to stay in one of the hotels that made Wallpaper magazine’s Best Business Hotels list. I once did a story for Australian Travel + Leisure about hotels in Los Angeles. It meant I got to stay in a bunch of upscale spots including Sunset Tower Hotel and The Hollywood Roosevelt (pictured below). While the Roosevelt made Wallpaper‘s list, one of the best hotels I’ve worked from is the Westin in New York. As a writer it has all I need: a nice big desk, fast wireless and a great view! We’d love to hear about your favorite business hotel. What makes a good business hotel?

Above: A suite at the Hollywood Roosevelt complete with an Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman.

Above: At the Anantara Bangkok Sathorn you can book a two-bedroom suite and feel like you never left home. You could work at the desk or the dining table.