Awestruck by the Grand Canyon, Wupatki Puelblo Ruins & Sedona

March 30, 2020

This past mid-winter break (February, 2020), we joined friends and family on a memorable excursion through Arizona. Thought I’d share a few highlights of this sun-filled, other-worldly experience. I reflect on this visit in complete awe of the vast open spaces, spectacular colors (such a counterpoint to the greens & blues of the Pacific Northwest) and social, in-person camaraderie (as I write this during our 6th week at home during the COVID-19 pandemic). Amazing how the world has changed in the few short weeks after our return.

Featured Retailer: Island Treats

December 4, 2019

One of the greatest joys of being an Architect is helping entrepreneurs bring their creative visions to life. A recent opportunity arose when Ann Peterson of Island Treats approached us with her first retail storefront on Mercer Island. After four years of building her business out of her home, Ann opened her Mercer Island Town Center doors in June, 2018. She is now able to sell directly to customers, in addition to supplying fellow merchants with her sweet treats.

Since then, Island Treats has expanded and is now offering a venue for Kid, Teen & ‘Lucy & Ethel Adult Parties’ in her chocolate shop. This holiday season, we celebrate Ann’s ‘locally made deliciousness’, and encourage everyone to swing by & support Island Treats (and other small business retailers).

For Everything, There is a Season

September 30, 2019

As summer comes to a close and Autumn settles in, the SZ Team is changing with the seasons. With great pride and bittersweet joy, we send Lara Tedrow off to the University of Washington School of Architecture’s graduate program (one of only twenty graduate students selected). We took time out to toast her next chapter with a delicious London Fog Cake from Deep Sea Sugar & Salt - yum.

Lara has been an integral part of the SZ Team for almost five years, and has grown immensely, as a talented Architectural Designer & Project Manager. Thankfully, she will continue on part-time, and as her studies allow. Go get ‘em, Lara!

New York City: High Line & Hudson Yards (The Vessel & The Shed)

May 30, 2019

In a recent trip back East to visit with family & friends, we had the pleasure of exploring NYC’s recent mega-development, Hudson Yards. I was prepared to dislike it, since it’s exposure on social media. I guess I anticipated it being an expensive one-line, architecturally. Must admit, I was pleasantly surprised. The Vessel was pretty interesting in how it reflected back at you and created a hive-effect with people swarming it’s network of stairs. My favorite, though, was the newly opened Shed - fascinating building envelope. To round out our glorious Spring Day, we walked along the Highline to marvel at Zaha Hadid’s 520w28 stunner. If I was given the choice to live anywhere in Manhattan, I’d pick residency in this incredible building. Here are a few visual impressions of our visit - worth checking out in person, if the opportunity presents itself.