This summer I had the opportunity to join my Palestinian / Lebanese mother on a trip to Lebanon - first time back to my country of origin in over a decade. When on such journeys, it’s always my preference to share my impressions through photography. So, please enjoy this brief slideshow…
Read MoreMeet Grace Hopperstad - Summer Intern.
This summer, Grace Hopperstad joined SZ Design | Build, as a Summer Intern from Columbia University. She comes to us with enthusiasm, curiosity and willingness to take on a variety of collaborative efforts. Grace’s generous spirit contributes to our positive team and client experiences throughout SZ’s Design | Build process. We’re thrilled to welcome Grace on board!
Get to know Grace through her responses to a few ‘getting to know you’ questions…
Read MoreNW Green Home Tour 2025: Architect's Home + Guest House (DADU).
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.
Read MoreZEYNE - Asli Ana (My Roots)
The lyrics of Zeyne’s Asli Ana are a powerful exploration of decolonial themes. They challenge the Western concept of "civilization," exposing how it has historically been weaponized to oppress, displace, and erase. Zeyne confronts the long-standing colonial narrative, highlighting how it justified the theft of our lands, the erasure of our culture, and the distortion of our history.
The song doesn’t stop at critique; it pushes us to question our internalized colonial norms, even in subtle aspects like dress and self-presentation. The line, “Record, I am an Arab, and I know my origin” moved me to tears. It is a poignant reminder of the resilience required to preserve our identity after decades of diaspora and displacement.
Through poetic verses, Zeyne masterfully encapsulates the struggle to maintain our heritage while navigating a world that constantly demands assimilation.
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