SZ: On the Boards | End of Summer 2024

DESIGN

ORIGIN Salon Spa.

Ana Judeh, owner of Origin Salon Spa, reached out to Suzanne Zahr to help envision the full potential of her new location. Located in the heart of Redmond, Washington, Origin proudly serves their thriving city and the communities around it since 2005. They pride themselves on bringing out the inner beauty in every guest who comes through their door. In the same spirit, SZ explored ways to manifest health and well-being throughout their built environment.

Stay tuned for progress updates!

In the interim, please enjoy this recent blog post by ORIGIN Salon Spa:

COMPLETE GUIDE FOR TRANSITIONING FROM SUMMER TO FALL

As summer fades into fall, the change in weather can significantly impact your hair. The sun, chlorine, and saltwater of summer might have left your locks dry and damaged, while autumn’s cooler, drier air brings its own challenges. Here’s how to transition your hair care routine from summer to fall to keep your hair healthy and vibrant.

MATERIAL SPOTLIGHT

CEDIT Compatta Collection.

The COMPATTA collection, designed by Federico Peri, combines a passion for earth as a natural material and an interest in a very ancient construction technique. This unique catalog of porcelain stoneware slabs is created using the very latest ceramic product techniques, in which the “profoundly ancient” dialogues with the “state of the art.”

The primary inspiration derives from close observation of the many strata within the ground and the mixtures of elementary particles of which it consists. The design concept is completed by reference to the age-old rammed earth construction technique, used in northern Jordan since the eighth millennium BCE and widely applied in Yemen in many other desert or rural settings until the mid 19th century.

In this method, the raw earth is compacted inside wooden formwork to construct continuous structural walls, bearing walls or partitions inside homes, with a natural decorative effect due to the layering of the different shades of clay used.

When creating his project for CEDIT, Peri was also influenced by several design inputs: from rural African homes to the clear, simple geometric forms and curved lines typical of the work of Gio Ponti, the curves central to the modernist gardens of Brazilian landscape artist Roberto Burle Marx, and the three-dimensional mosaics of English sculptor William Mitchell. In his murals in concrete, glass and recycled materials, Mitchell seems to combine some of the typical features of a variety of artistic movements, from Modernism to Brutalism, and also shows awareness of the issues concerning the structure of the landscape and the relationship with nature at the heart of Land Art. COMPATTA thus embodies strong links to the world of art and architecture, while bringing natural impressions with a remote, primitive flavour into modern living-spaces.

ART

CONTROL ANATOMY by Mahmoud Alhaj

SZ Gallery presents Control Anatomy, an exhibit curated in collaboration with the Zawyeh Gallery in Ramallah, Palestine. This solo exhibition by Palestinian artist Mahmoud Alhaj explores colonial violence and the architectural mechanisms of domination and control over Palestinian geography witnessed by Alhaj who was born in Gaza.

Akin to a forensic investigator, Alhaj meticulously gathers traces of evidence left by colonial strategies that have distorted the landscape and delineated control and domination. Through his artwork, he layers photographs taken over the years and compares them to uncover changes over time. He discovers evidence in the wall, sewage dumps, military barracks, watchtowers, streets, roundabouts, and borders. Through the examination of the oppressive tools employed in the ongoing genocide and atrocities committed in the Gaza Strip, Alhaj reveals how the instruments of violence and control have shaped the day-to-day lives of those living in Gaza and subjugated Palestinians for decades.

OPENING NIGHT: Friday, September 6, 5 - 8PM
during Mercer Island Art Walk

Suzanne Zahr, a Palestinian-Lebanese-American Architect and owner of SZ Gallery is providing an outpost for Palestinian voices in the United States, and the first to represent Mahmoud Alhaj in the The Pacific Northwest for The Zawyeh Gallery.

“I continue to feature Palestinian Artists to amplify their distinct and diverse voices, putting their humanity on display through an artist's lens.  It's important that I showcase the Palestinian experience authentically, in order to dispel dangerous stereotypes and dehumanizing propaganda. My hope is for viewers to not only take refuge in the beauty, resilience and strength of the work, but to also offer prompts for empathetic and meaningful conversations about the art and culture of Palestine.”

“Mahmoud Alhaj's stunning collection struck me both personally and professionally.  As an Architect, I'm fascinated by his meticulous research and visualizations, demonstrating ways the built environment is designed to control, subjugate and oppress an entire population.  I am taken back by the historic use of Architecture and Civil Planning as tools of violence, witnessing its degrading impact on the daily lives of Palestinians in Gaza and throughout the Occupied Territories. This engineered control over basic human rights is in stark contrast to our ethical duties 'to protect the public's health, safety and welfare', as design professionals. I commend Mahmoud Alhaj for his rigorous techniques and arresting artistry, expressed in each masterful work of art presented within this exhibit, 'Control Anatomy.'”

Suzanne invites the community to view this unique collection in the spirit of empathy and curiosity, drawing their own artful interpretations.

Meet Delaney - Architectural Intern.

Earlier this summer, Delaney Carmen joined SZ Design | Build, as an Architectural Intern from the University of Washington - College of Built Environments. She is currently completing her summer internship before her new academic year begins later this month. During these very busy months, Delaney assisted in recording as-built field measurements, project programming, code research, space planning and schematic design presentations. As part of a Design | Build team, she also observed construction progress on various jobsites. In addition, Delaney has played a pivotal role in curating and installing artwork for our upcoming exhibition, Control Anatomy by Mahmoud Alhaj.

Delaney’s attention to detail, creativity and collaborative spirit contribute to our positive team and client experiences throughout SZ’s Design | Build process. We’re thrilled that Delaney has agreed to stay on part-time as our architectural intern, while back to school. Can’t wait to see what she accomplishes next.

Get to know Delaney through her responses to a few ‘getting to know you’ questions…