Our studio’s work is rooted in placemaking. We design well-crafted buildings that evoke a quiet, emotional response. We believe in architecture with nuance, depth, and richness that provides calming relief from the busyness of everyday life.

Craftsmanship and making are fundamental to our work. We practice hand-drafting and continue making physical models as tools for design – thinking by drawing and making.

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SPD was founded by George Suyama FAIA in 1971. We specialize in northwest contemporary design and offer a comprehensive range of services from architecture and construction to interior and furniture design.

The hallmark of our internationally published work is our mastery of scale and proportion, sophisticated detailing, and restrained material palettes. Our pursuit of timeless and elegant design has earned us numerous awards and established our reputation as a leading architecture firm in the Pacific Northwest.

 

Partners

George Suyama, FAIA

George loves to collect beautiful objects, from antiques and handcrafted artifacts to driftwood and rocks. His appreciation of craftsmanship, simplicity and nature informs all of his designs whether they are for private residences, art galleries or theatre renovations. “Our goal is to create an ambiance of place,” says George. In recognition of his design excellence and contributions to the profession, he received the AIA/Seattle Medal of Honor and is a member of the American Institute of Architects’ College of Fellows.

Jay Deguchi, AIA

Jay’s design focus is on the spatial experience of architecture. “We put a lot of credence in a client’s state of mind when they reach the front door,” says Jay. “We believe in creating transitions that help people decompress.” After graduate school at UCLA and practicing in California, Jay joined the firm in 1992 and became a partner in 2002. In addition to modern houses, Jay’s work includes retail and office spaces, as well as art galleries and civic projects.

Chris Haddad, AIA

Chris draws from his background as an artist for inspiration. He enjoys the process of articulating spatial ideas through the rigor of details. “In all of our projects, we strive to make places that are respectful of their context, timeless, and beautiful.” His experience includes custom residences, office spaces, restaurants, and multi-family housing projects. Chris joined the firm in 1997 after re-locating to Seattle from New England, and became a partner in 2014.

Staff

Ahmad Tahir  
Anna Perez  
Brenden Bjerke  
Davis Hammer  
Evan Doty  
Greg Gartrell  
Jennie Gruss  
John Kucher  
Lisa Groene  
Matthew Stark  
Natalie Farness  
Peter Durrant  
Steven Nielsen  
Yuko Kunugi