Why are accountants always so calm, composed, and methodical? They have strong internal controls. Any good accountant interview needs a good accounting joke. Kim Benjamin has been working with the SZ Team since May of 2017….
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French Polynesia: Earth, Water, Air, Fire & Mana
Halfway between California and Australia, French Polynesia isn’t a singular sensation but a mosaic of moods spread across 118 small islands and atolls (67 inhabited) and more than a thousand miles of ocean. It’s not a place of museums or hot spots, but rather an elemental destination of earth, water, air, fire, and something else even more elusive that I felt but can barely explain in words; mana.
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Material Spotlight: Shou-Sugi-Ban (charred wood)
Shou-Sugi-Ban or yakisugi is the traditionally Japanese technique of charring cedar boards for use in siding, decking and fencing projects. Modern applications of the centuries old craft are making a resurgence in the US and strong statement in the Pacific Northwest. This process of burning and wire brushing wood planks was originally used to replicate the natural weathering process of driftwood in Japan. Dating back to the 18th-century, the Shou-Sugi-Ban method enhances the materials performance and beauty by sealing the woods pores and deepening the color.
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Multidisciplinary Architecture: Construction Management
One of our values at SZ is to employ a multidisciplinary approach to architecture and the build environment. As a design-build firm, we see immense value in the collaboration of design and construction and encourage each team member to be fluent in both languages. That is why we are excited about the Certificate in Construction Management offered by the University of Washington. One of our designers, Lara, is currently enrolled in the certificate program and is working to apply that knowledge to streamline processes and enrich the communication between the design and construction teams.
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