Lisa Wellman: DETRITUS - Opening Night Event Photos

July 8, 2017

With a summer breeze in the air, we swung open our doors to welcome art, wine & food lovers during the Mercer Island First Friday Art Walk. Sen. Lisa Wellman's striking exhibit, DETRITUS, was warmly received with intrigue and accolades. To learn more about Wellman's creative inspiration, check out her one-on-one interview with Keith Imper of the Mercer Island Center for the Arts (MICA), filmed live just before our art opening.

In artistic compliment to Wellman's photography, Lisa Caruccio laid out an impressive culinary spread. In anticipation of Caruccio's - Culinary Event Center grand opening by end of August, we all enjoyed a taste of what's to come. Platters of seasonal bites welcomed revilers along with a local selection of Coach House Cellars wines, sponsored by Bell-Anderson Insurance.

What a wonderful way to kick-off the Mercer Island's Summer Celebration!

UPDATE: Since Lisa's art opening, SZ has incorporated one of her photos into a Corporate Interiors project. Can you tell where the architecture ends and the art begins?

First FRIDAY: State Senator Lisa Wellman – DETRITUS [07.07.17]

June 27, 2017

Friday, July 7th marks a new tradition on Mercer Island: the First Thursday Art Walk will now be on the First Friday of the month! After a long work week, Friday evenings are the perfect time to relax and unwind, and there’s no better way to relax than to go for an evening stroll and visit Mercer Island’s unique art spots, all within walking distance of each other. It’s perfect for a Friday date night out on the town! Mercer Sources, Clarke + Clarke Art + Artifacts, and SZ Gallery will be participating. First Friday Art Walk begins at 5PM.

SZ: Paper (one-year) Anniversary on Mercer Island!

April 9, 2017

Suzanne Zahr, Mercer Island Architect and General Contractor, invited her personal & professional community to celebrate the one year (paper!) anniversary of her design/build firm and art gallery on Thursday, April 6th. Over the last year, the SZ Art Gallery has featured the work of thirteen local and international artists, helped re-launch the first Thursday Mercer Island Art Walk, and hosted events for community organizations such as MICA, SJCC, FASPS, Art With Heart, and Washington State Senator Lisa Wellman’s election campaign.

SZ has also kept busy working on homes, apartments, retail spaces, and corporate interiors, often handling the full lifecycle from design through construction (not to mention the creation of Business Plans, Style Guides, and Marketing Strategies).

The event was catered by one such lifecycle client, Caruccio’s, which will open its culinary event center in August of 2017.

Thank you for joining the SZ Team, featured Artists, Donatella Lombardini, Laurent Bourscheidt & Joe Iano, along with Lisa Caruccio to celebrate all things creative!

Suzanne Zahr would like to send a heartfelt thanks to:

The SZ Team (Ed, Emily, Lisa, Lara & Paul) for your stellar creativity & collaboration
Our extended team of Consultants, Artists, Sub-Contractors, Collaborators for your virtuosity
Our beloved Clientele for entrusting in us with your dreams & ambitions
Lisa Caruccio of Caruccio's for your friendship, courage & artful catering
Cecilia Whatley of Bold & Fancy for the knock-out paper flower wall
Annabella Chiocco of Sprinkles & Sweets for the delicious logo cookies
Nancy Wennekers of Mercer Beauty for styling my hair & make-up - va-va-voom
Alice Kalis for the gorgeous photos, commemorating a wonderful evening
Mike Donnelly of Bell-Anderson Insurance for pouring the wine tastings & sponsorship
The Islander for the bubbles and being our happy hour reprieve
Mercer Island for your patronage, support & warm welcome this past year
Our friends & family for their unwavering love & encouragement

First Thursday: Art & Wine [09.01.16]

September 3, 2016

Since we launched this monthly tradition in May, each event has been special in its own way. This past gathering had a more intimate tone, rooted in a well-rounded appreciation of good wine, music, visual & wearable arts.

Victoria Johnson's artwork is both formal & lyrical. Free-flowing, organic forms drift in and out of her canvas' planes, creating enticing visual rhythm & movement. A perfect pairing with 12-year old harpist, Carla Mory's performance of 'Les Adieux du Menestrel au Pays Natal' by John Thomas, in our very first Living Room 'concert'.

Jennie King of J|King Styling introduced her Fall Collection of ASH + AMES Jewelry - simply stunning. Mary Herzog of The Paper Beadery presented her unique, handmade statement necklaces out of paperbeads - gorgeous. Both have generously offered to donate 10% of sales to Art with Heart.

Isaac, The Islander's Sommelier, once again introduced a wonderful selection of wines for tasting, all available for sale by the bottle or case at wine club prices.

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June 29, 2026

Do you DADU? | Podcast Series with Shakiba Ahmadi, Architect.

June 29, 2026

Across the Greater Puget Sound region, communities are evolving towards greater density, flexibility, and multigenerational living. One emerging housing type that is gaining traction but still remains shrouded in mystery for many homeowners is the Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (DADU): an independent, self-contained residential structure located on the same lot as a primary single-family home. As interest in DADUs grows, so do questions about zoning, site conditions, cost, design decisions, and overall feasibility. SZ Design | Build is dedicated to helping homeowners navigate this shift with clarity, design intelligence, and care.

We are excited to announce our new summer podcast series “Do you DADU?”, hosted by SZ Architect Shakiba Ahmadi. This 8-episode series offers a detailed breakdown of the entire DADU process and timeline to answer some of the most common questions faced by homeowners. Each weekly episode will tackle a specific aspect of DADUs, with a dedicated field professional serving as a guest speaker to share their expertise on the subject - ending with the SZ team’s unique approach to DADU design and construction. With these series, we hope to give homeowners a deeper insight into the DADU typology and the confidence to explore their property’s potential to create a home that aligns with their future, families and lifestyles.

The series will release every Thursday at 10 AM, launching July 9 on the SZ Design | Build website, as well as on our YouTube channel. See below for a sneak preview of the episode schedule and be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel below for series updates.

June 29, 2026

Summer Sahras at Suzanne's with Ya Hala!

June 29, 2026

Not every gathering is about the occasion. Sometimes it’s about the stories shared with an old friend or someone new, or the simple comfort of being surrounded by people who make a house feel like home.

In a heartbreaking world that moves quickly, gatherings remind us to slow down, regroup and create moments to hold on to.

Summer Sahras (gatherings) at Suzanne’s home on Mercer Island will be Fridays, July 10, 17 & 31, 6-9PM. Bring a plate to share, clippings from your garden for a centerpiece bouquet and/or an instrument to play. Suzanne has a piano & darbuka!

Ya Hala will be serving refreshing Spritzers for suggested donations. Will have cards, backgammon sets, and dominoes on hand, along with a houka or two…

Goal is to pause, breathe and be together. Yalla, join us!

June 29, 2026

Catalog of Art | We Are Palestine.

June 29, 2026

Delaney's Back!

June 29, 2026

After three long but rewarding years, Architectural Intern Delaney Carmen has finally graduated with a Master’s Degree in Architecture at the University of Washington and has returned to SZ Design | Build to kick off her professional career.

I feel very lucky to have been a part of UW's Master's of Architecture program. Architecture is an ocean of knowledge an inch deep, and I feel that I've at least got a sea's worth by now. Through this program, I've come to understand the things I'm passionate about: craft, storytelling, and intentionality. In an age where AI, corporate greed, and conformity dictate so much of our lives (and consequently, our built environment), I have used my education to learn how to actively fight complacency and ensure that my work as an architect is purposeful and authentic. A few of my favorite works throughout the program have been largely driven by those same passions.

Get a glimpse into her experience at UW through her reflection below.

June 29, 2026

March 5, 2026

PICHA - Women Shaping Creative Spaces

March 5, 2026

SZ Gallery has had the distinct pleasure of collaborating with Josiane Faubert, Artist and Photographer, born in Gabon. She is also the Founder of PICHA, a stock photo agency that brings curated, diverse visuals to brands and business looking to tell richer stories, inclusive of Afrocentric communities. Together, soulful exhibitions ranged from showcasing talented photographers selected during PICHA’s annual call to artists, Afrofuturism and SKIN, to a presentation of Weaving Stories, a visual storytelling book that celebrates the beauty, reslience and vibrancy of Afrocentric communities across the globe.

For International Women’s Day on Sunday, March 8, PICHA is preparing a special series highlighting women shaping creative spaces. It’s their way of not only celebrating creative talent, but also leadership, influence and impact. Suzanne Zahr has been invited to participate. She was asked these very thought-provoking questions below. How would you respond?

Who are five women who have shaped the way you see, build, or create?
How does your identity as a woman influence the way you work?
What is one structural change you would love to see in your industry that would meaningfully shift access or equity for women — especially women of color and intersectional voices?
What do you believe is your creative superpower?
What would you tell your younger self — or a young woman entering your field today?

March 5, 2026

How to care for your diasporic and immigrant friend…

March 5, 2026

This is a care guide for people who are still protected by some form of privilege, and who have immigrant and diasporic friends, partners, colleagues, employees, neighbors, etc. who are cut off from their home and support systems, and who are forced to navigate normality while being torn apart on the inside.

Experiencing war and disaster while in the diaspora is isolating, distressing and harrowing. Watching horror unfold back home while people around you fall into silence without extending actual care is also traumatic.

Care is deeply political. We know this because care can be commodified, weaponized and withdrawn as a form of punishment. If care is political, then choosing not to care is also political.

This is a care guide to make sure you don’t cause more harm.

March 5, 2026

January 28, 2026

Should I Stay or Should I go? Design & Permitting Process.

January 28, 2026

Ever wondered if it is better to substantially remodel and/or add-on to your existing home, rather than sell and buy another? Real estate values have gone up considerably, and in our current seller's market, it's the buying-back-in that can be costly if it's 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. The 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. 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 a 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 and considered. Here's a brief summary of our collaborative journey in creating their 4,500 SF dream home.

January 28, 2026

December 16, 2025

Tour: Architect's Home + DADU on Mercer Island

December 16, 2025

Enjoy a sneak peek into an Architect’s new home on Mercer Island. Perched uphill from her recently built 750 SF Guest House, Suzanne Zahr’s beautiful 3,300 SF family home is organized around a featured ‘spine wall’ running North-South, paying homage to an indigenous rammed earth building methodology. A split ridge roof with clerestory windows is seated above, allowing for natural light to travel through the main living areas from dawn to dusk. Thoughtful site orientation and efficient space planning enable passive solar design to maximize heat retention and minimize energy use, which ultimately offers a general sense of ambient well-being. Taking advantage of the sloped site, the stormwater gravity flows into an on-site detention tank, minimizing the impact to municipal stormwater drainage system that flows into Lake Washington.

December 16, 2025