Paul brings a wide breadth of experience and knowledge to Y.A studio with a familiarity of various project types including corporate interiors, wineries, restaurants, and both custom residential and multifamily housing. He has an understanding of all phases of a project from Programming and Master Planning through Construction Administration and his strength as a project manager ensures that projects come in on time and on budget. Paul speaks Mandarin Chinese and has a deep interest in Sino-American relations. He enjoys exploring cultures through their cities, food, and music.

Since establishing Y.A. studio in 2004, Yakuh Askew, AIA, NOMA, LEED AP, has fostered a collaborative and creative studio that is versatile, efficient and effective. A native of San Francisco, Yakuh is passionate about socially responsible growth and has fought to balance the needs of the community, the environment and individual clients.

Yakuh is a graduate of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, CA and has traveled extensively. Prior to Y.A. studio Yakuh’s portfolio included large corporate offices, restaurant design, and single-family residential work.

Yakuh is a member of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), SPUR, AIA, and sits on the Citizen’s Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC) for the San Francisco School District. He is also an advisory member to the Lick-Wilmerding High School Campus Stewardship Committee. In 2015, Yakuh sat on the Jury for the Alburquerque AIA Awards, and in 2018 sat on the jury for the San Francisco Department of Public Works (SFDPW) Design Competition for public toilets and kiosks in San Francisco. He is also an avid ice hockey player.

An avid traveler and art lover, Martine finds comfort in nature, family time and good design. Born and raised in Montreal, she earned her a bachelors in Environmental Design at Université du Quebec a Montreal (UQAM) and a Masters in Architecture at the Technical University of Nova Scotia (TUNS). As a student, she focused on contemporary design, ergonomics, temporary structures and sustainability. After relocating to San Francisco in 1999, she joined Y.A. studio in 2008 and opened Martine Paquin Design, her interior design focused practice. She is a LEED AP and a CGBP believing that environmentally responsible design is a necessary component to healthy living.