The most effective way to promote energy efficiency is to design a house that takes full advantage of natural light, passive solar energy, shading, cross-ventilation, and efficient space planning. Doing so — by studying sun angles, prevailing winds, and general site orientation — reduces the overall energy load required to live comfortably.
Read MoreAccessory Dwelling Unit, or ADU for short, can be a great addition to your property. There are two variations: attached (ADU) and detached (DADU) and both offer many benefits to the owner. To inspire you for your own DADU, above is an SZ fly-thru rendering, featuring a SIRE (Structurally Insulated Rammed Earth) wall.
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When considering whether to remodel or rebuild your home, several factors come into play: How old is the property? What other additions have been done to the home? And most importantly, how do you envision living in your dream home?
We began working with our clients in the Leschi neighborhood of Seattle in the Fall of 2016, and the project morphed from what was originally a remodel into a remodel, rebuild, and addition.
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Ever wondered if it is better to substantially remodel and/or add-on to your existing home, rather than sell & buy another? Real estate values have gone up considerably, and in our current seller's market it's the buying-back-in that could be costly, if not timed just right. Considering the resources involved in the design, permitting & construction process, is it worth it to leverage the appreciation gained in your current house and transform it into your dream home? The simple answer is, it depends. Each property is unique, and each family is different. Best thing to do is explore all options and make informed decisions with the help of your professional real-estate, design & build community.
We recently ventured down this decision-making process with our Mercer Island clients, Nicole & Chris Niederman. They purchased a lovely 1,800 SF lakefront home a few years ago, but it didn't meet their family's personality & lifestyle. They selected Suzanne Zahr as their Architect to help lead them down the path of discovery that would ultimately result in an informed 'go / no-go' decision.
With each phase of the design process, new insights were creatively explored & considered. Here's a brief summary of our collaborative journey with the Niedermans in creating their 4,500 SF dream home.
Read MoreDesign, art, and architecture are central to Suzanne Zahr's firm Keith Imper, from the local arts organization Mercer Island Center for the Arts (MICA), sat down with Suzanne Zahr to talk about her Architect-led Design-Build firm, and they discussed several key aspects about this intersection of disciplines.
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