Seattle architect builds simple home inspired by own bio

Architect George Suyama wonders if his early years in a Japanese American internment camp led to his love for simplicity. “My theory is that we had nothing there so I became obsessed with little things. I was at a camp in Idaho called Minidoka and it was a tarpaper barracks. They were long shed buildings, I don’t know how many families lived in them, you had one window and a stove area and there were curtains that separated one family from another. Maybe because there was nothing there that I wanted to make everything as simple as I could.“
For five years, he and his wife lived in a tiny 500-square-foot fishing shack in West Seattle. When they bought the narrow lot next door, they wanted to recapture that simplicity.
Determined not to remove a single tree, Suyama designed a home 18-feet-wide. To reduce the visual noise of the home the walls, roof, ceiling, floor are all one color (matching the surrounding trees). The only exception is a white box that runs nearly the length of the home which houses the service elements- kitchen, bathroom, stairs and bedroom- and a loft.
www.suyamapetersondeguchi.com/d
On *faircompanies: faircompanies.com/videos/seat...

[@god-son-love]

His mind is more beautiful than the house. The house kind of tells the owner's personality and life story by itself. What a piece of art.

[@thomastakeshita4979]

I love listening to the actual architect talk about the house instead of some random guy like it usually is on tv. He knows it's not genius, it's just great design.

[@bnv2416]

Since when is great design NOT genius?

[@andreaandrea6716]

@@bnv2416 (exactly).

[@andreaandrea6716]

YES!! I love hearing the architect speak about his design and all the details... enriching the design.

[@Vanilla.coke1234]

KZbin real estate agents are the bane of my architectural existence. So many incredible spaces get covered exclusively by salesman and all they wanna talk about is the imported granite and the investment opportunity. There seem to be so few architect/designer led channels with access to more than just what they stumble across around them. It’s a shame, but the dollar rules and the dollar always flows to the salesman, not the genius.

[@kummer45]

THIS is architecture. This is what architecture SHOULD BE ABOUT. This is why I'm an architect. We live by this. It's not about eating resources, or constructing the grandeur. It's about building a memory with the place we belong. It's more than wholesome seeing videos in KZbin about such events. It's not about the million dollar houses. It is about how WE CHOOSE TO DWELL. I can't express how happy I'm watching these experiences. This must be a THING. The tiny house must BE a thing ALWAYS. I study architecture. Even if I have the capacity to design my own house as an architect I will ask Suyama build my house the way HE sees fit. His mind is beautiful.

[@user-qi2nz8vz6l]

I have been watching this video for at least five years, and never get tired of it. The way he uses space is incredible, the use of materials is perfect and the integration with the building site is masterful it is art you can live in. Best,

[@markkevinbaileyjr]

"We could have made the house longer, but we would have had to cut down this tree."

[@jeffencke]

Bizarre to see this house. George Suyama bought that property from my family, which had previously owned it for nearly a century. I have many, many memories of that dock and the two small houses on the waterfront. I'm glad he kept that old cedar.

[@joeywilson9940]

excuse me sir can I take a photo with you?

[@saschagraubaer]

rlly? He made a beautifull house. Dunno how it looked before

[@monkeyhihi]

@Late to the Game Do you want them to shut up or keep talking?!? lmao

[@lydiarowe491]

A very sensitive build...history does have a big part to play.

[@whatwouldaudreyhepburndo4260]

Cool! Love the history

[@Inanna_estra]

This has become my new dream home. Minimal, sophisticated, open and completely surrounded by green.

[@MiloYellowknee]

Ester Garufi agreed

[@RuffleCoptah]

you look like dillon harper

[@yournameshere]

You had me at green

[@ShadowlordDio]

a shoe box in the middle of a field. simple shit for simple minds. check Log and Timber mansions

[@masterpiecelacquers2766]

No solar, no food gardens, no green power. He just brought a modern loft to the woods.

[@eelexa]

He's like a Japanese-American Jeff Goldblum. Just listen to his voice.

[@Psykel]

That is quite true!

[@camilianSLC]

cant be unheard

[@Charlie1821]

Holy cow, you're not kidding.

[@aitor.online]

@Nick Miller history erasure dont you think. if you say "120k americans were put in internment camps" without mentioning the fact they were targeted for being japanese in heritage, you're essentially erasing history.

[@jackm8663]

omg yes! I was trying to place the voice in my head

[@hiltonwatkins6750]

Organized and clean. "Visual noise " eliminated. The essence of architecture. A restful alternative for the current culture. I love it.

[@davidfuller764]

Dear persons, I'm blown away! Video of most elegant dwelling has blown my cluttered mind clear. Thanks sincerely, DF

[@-fuk57]

I've had the fortune of working on and in some very unique and exclusive homes in the Puget Sound area. Even with all of my experience, I've never seen a home as wonderful as this one.

[@ropeswingify]

my ex wife's father was in Manzanar .. Japanese internment camp.. their Santa Monica family business was taken by the government ect. I have to say our Japanese American's are an amazing people and worthy of much admiration. They are hard working beautiful people.. they have never complained about their internment or carried ill will towards their government or communities.. proud.. self respecting folks .. amazing when you consider what was taken from them and how they went from living in their own homes.. that they earned.. with their liberty one day.. and all of it taken away the next. wow.. unimaginable.

[@tomd3540]

Yes, but I wouldn't go so far as to call it a concentration camp as this guy did. Sure the living conditions couldn't have been easy, but it's a far reach from Auschwitz

[@ropeswingify]

Tom D "concentration camp" is proper usage. I think most of us know what the Jews went through. Japanese internment was different. But it was indeed "according to Websters" a "concentration camp ".

[@shurikengaming1191]

Yes a concentration of one ethnicity in a camp.fits the bill to me.

[@Standbackforscience]

@@justthink5854 There's always got to be one like you, with your whinging whataboutism.

[@wendyweaver8749]

@@justthink5854 - In 1988, President Reagan signed the Civil Liberties Act to compensate more than 100,000 people of Japanese descent who were incarcerated in internment camps during World War II and who had not yet died. The legislation offered a formal apology and paid out $20,000 in compensation to each surviving victim. The law won congressional approval only after a decade-long campaign by the Japanese-American community. Do you really think $20,000 in 1988 to a survivor can really be considered compensation for what those who were interned endured? They were in the internment/concentration camps for more than three years. We are talking about legal residents and American citizens whose property, businesses and personal belongings (except for what fit into a suitcase) were taken from them only because FDR gave into fear and loathsome racism. What does your bringing in the countries of Japan and China have to do with what the U.S. did to its own citizens and legal residents?

[@BrassLock]

He sounded very happy with his creation, and that's a Very Good Thing. He's delighted with his collection, and truly appreciates the way those things are made. Some architects (such as he), would make good philosophers or psychologists, because they can help us to live happily by modifying our lived-in environment.

[@lifeingeneral3974]

dav snow

[@priestesslucy3299]

@@rice83101 Why?

[@tepuntopunto]

@@priestesslucy3299 did you read their name?, theyre obviously a chronically online nihilist child

[@VirginiaRican]

The hosts are killing food and home shows on TV, I love when we get to sit back and just let the creator talk.

[@sandramcdonald3628]

This is brilliant, pure genius. I recommend that anybody who does not understand this, rewatch it. Stop trying to judge it, and just feel it. This space invokes a feeling of calm, serenity, peace. There is a purpose and a reason for absolutely every detail, and to have the opportunity to have the architect (and an articulate and obviously intelligent one at that) explain this to you is a treat. I watched it first, alone, and thought "how interesting". I watched it again with my husband, really saw it, and thought "how brilliant". My husband agreed, it takes a bit of time to wrap your mind around, but once you do.... It's amazing - it's small, yet incredibly spacious; it's open concept, yet has individual closed rooms; it's cold and austere, yet incredibly warm and comfortable. It's wonderful, Frank Lloyd Wright level genius.

[@james5460]

I'm not feeling this "calm, serenity, peace" at all. It's busy, you have to climb stairs, it's dark, and I don't give a flying leap if "that line goes across and hits the middle of that column." The design smacks of a standard beach house, nothing special, but if living in an echoey barn is "calm" to some folks, good for them. I bet that roof makes a racket when it rains, too.

[@NotAnAngryLesbian]

I felt the stairs and the upstairs was a blast to experience. @James Franko

[@youvegoteverything6922]

👉❤️👈

[@jessicawoodmus9048]

Wow from the outside it looks like it's going to be just a block and Tiny and then you go inside gorgeous I liked it all it just shows us you can't judge a book by its cover

[@crouchingwombathiddenquoll5641]

@NEGUS MBARKA I judge you by your racist comments throughout this comment section. You need help finding peace in your mind, and loving yourself. Then you will become more than a hate projector.

[@dugfriendly]

I probably looked at the old place a hundred times while riding that ferry to the other side. Thanks for sharing this beautiful space!

[@elviranow]

dugfriendly me too, I would love to live in the old place or the new place

[@marandamurphy]

@dugfriendly did you live on Vashon?! I grew up on the island! Just moved moved back.

[@q.e.d.9112]

I'm with those who love it, but the comments here show that, in architecture as in everything, it's each to his own. Can't see why anybody needs to diss the guy just 'cos they don't share his aesthetic, though.

[@hhschrader8067]

I Like his attitude: Not cutting the cedar, keeping those useless seed bottles (as the essence of another man's life). It's that unimposing modesty that could lead to a happiness all the amassed statement features cannot provide.

[@masterpiecelacquers2766]

I could care less about its looks. What bothers me is how rich people are ruining the base of what tiny house living is. It started as people living green. Hmmm Did I miss the part where he showed the solar panels and powerwall? Did I miss the part where he showed off the garden? Did I miss the part where any sort of green tech was used? All this guy did was bring a modern condominium into the woods. That's not impressive at all especially considering that most actual tiny houses are 1/5 of the size. No mention of the fact they still own that 500 square foot cabin.

[@crazybob1118]

​@@masterpiecelacquers2766 I know I'm late for the comment but you do realize that the point of his design is for luxury housing rather than a tiny cabin in the woods design right? if you simply do a little bit more research on arch daily you'll find out that the vernacular nature of this architect's house makes up for all of the "green technologies" you mentioned above, which he intended to remove as additional details which can be removed to suit the perspective of home owner and visitors. Sustainability is hence achieved in this simple house design, hope you're getting where am at.

[@fondu5]

@@masterpiecelacquers2766 I really don't think people making designing tiny houses take away from all the other designs and "the base of tiny house living". Sometimes ideas go multiple paths.

[@ironmountain7907]

What an awesome space, I love all these people who own their environments.

[@devinmichaelroberts9954]

no one owns their environment.. the government does.. its called property tax

[@flyingaviator8158]

Would be very interesting and usefull to get some numbers tho!

[@Gumdaar1]

Extremely beautiful home - uncomfortable furnishings. The side space air gap throughout is genius.

[@lelandeggleston1041]

I love the idea of the "core" of the house with the negative spaces around it.

[@Hollyfae]

This blows my mind. I love love love the way he used the space in this house.

[@-fuk57]

I love how warmly he presents the features of this house.

[@LetoZeth]

Such a tiny calm place feels incredibly larger when everything inside is connected. Incredibly well designed.

[@christycritser2819]

The creativity is marvelous. Beautiful, open, calming. I like it very much.

[@ideoformsun5806]

I like how he transformed memories of a tough but loving time for his family into a peaceful place where he can build beautiful new memories. He mentions peace a lot. It's like forgiveness. It seems like he needs to feel protected from all sides, like a fortress or compound. And unobtrusive. Though I don't blame him one bit. I love the natural materials and colors and metal roof, and that he saved the big old tree. When it's too open, the sounds bounce around too much for me. Architects are so visual, but maybe they could work more with sound. I know someone who was in those camps as a child. He was a good friend of my father. He became a dentist and helped a lot of people quietly for free, for many years.

[@NotAnAngryLesbian]

Your insight concerning his need for protection is very keen. Because he is such a gentle soul I might go with cocoon rather than fortress. A place for him to continue to grow. I never would have had that thought without your insight, so thank you. It gives me ideas about the small home we are designing ourselves in our amateurish way.

[@hikingmarie9]

Absolutely gorgeous! I am so glad that you were able to find this architect and his abode. Thank you!

[@MossPalone]

Holy shit, very rarely I see an original architecture. This is so original. Don't think I have ever see something like this.

[@mleolahi80]

You often hear its all about the view but this house has the sense of it just in the simple design. What a great space!

[@warsameadam5572]

Most of architects designs reflect their life style as well as their past. This is great example.

[@leotheangrylion]

Having followed your channel for a few years now and I still come back and rewatch this video and still find this house's simplicity amazing and his concern about reducing "visual noise" in the architecture.

[@anonmiss2112]

I love that he based it all on the grid. Makes my design heart flutter. he did a good job of combining the humanist and geometric.

[@freelancelife6704]

After viewing so many videos of Architects displaying there homes and personal spaces; those with the greatest design esthetics and minimal ego also tend to create living spaces with a small foot print yet are very open and minimalist, and making the most effective use of the land they are on.

[@Terryminion]

Magnificent! This has to be the most inspiring house I have ever seen. What a brilliant design and execution. I absolutely love it and love that you and George shared it with us. Thank you!

[@fourmacs8167]

I find this home very attractive in many ways. And, the architect has communicated very well his ideas, reasoning and love behind all things with this build. Beautifully done!

[@kajakkille]

This is one of the more interesting houses of American architecture that I've seen. Thanks!

[@jennyB07]

The living room area with the super high ceiling is GORGEOUS

[@MaxamillianStudio]

Kirsten, I absolutely love the way you encourage your interviewees to share their thought process.

[@shortsinportugal7963]

This house was truly inspiring. The guy seems like an artist. I love it. Thanks for sharing the inspiration

[@cartograp]

I'm usually not attracted to this kind of aesthetic but this is beautiful.

[@cityofplant]

That is my dream house right there. Minimalist and modern looking design.

[@ags1370]

It's amazing how as Japanese-Americans he and his wife retain so much of the Japanese aesthetic in their design and living sensibilities. Negative space is more important in the Japanese arts than "filling space with things." When he said his wife has a "moon viewing" area, I smiled. That is so Japanese. Being close to nature, really appreciating it, building a house while considering a tree. Having a gap that runs through the house (negative space), and using curtains instead of doors (flexible space, less obsessed with privacy). Even wanting to live in a small dwelling on what some might see as an award, hidden lot (very common in Tokyo). It always interests me how people retain their heritage while being full members of the American community. It is part of what makes this country great. I wish more people would appreciate it.

[@gwin8463]

Who else did not find the house exciting, until he starts to talk, so much passion in his explanation

[@zorro8410]

this place is amazing..this old man is super swagged out..great video. cool grandpa .great house..2 thumbs up..def love to live like this one day in the hills of colorado

[@KingBobIsHere]

Extremely beautiful home. I also wish I was this mans neighbour.. I'd bring him food and just want to talk about his life, seems like such an interesting down to earth person and clearly talented architect.

[@tutubedo]

The connection with the outdoors is so serene in this home, whether you are on the main floor or the mezzanine. The moon watching deck has a jewel quality I would love to experience in my home. Superbly zen. Bravo!

[@ymyone]

I really love the play of lightand darkness, i think most people don't unedrstand and appreciate the calming effect that darkness can convey.

[@11perception]

Beautiful thank you so much for the tour really appreciate it

[@Guitar.Rookie]

I like how Personal a persons Home can be. Their decisions, placements and reasoning behind the build extending from their own Character. They are Treasures of insight thankfully Shared openly. 🙄👌🏡

[@Anthony22491]

I can listen to this guy talk for forever

[@suziperret468]

The house and nature blend seamlessly. Beautiful geometric lines define the large space vertically. Bravo.

[@ecostudio1044]

I have seen pictures of this house b4; your video and his narration are much appreciated. The Japanese aesthetic shines thru.

[@thejmrexperience2349]

I actually said WOW out loud when you showed that upstairs room. Really loved this house!

[@briancarson68]

This is beautiful architecture for a basic purpose -living - but there's nothing basic about living. It makes living beautiful, peaceful and practical.

[@vivienchong5172]

Wow..... I never thought a small sliver of space can serve such a HUGE function! Thats genius!

[@teddyfist1475]

In love with this one! So calm and relaxing

[@akeemrichards770]

Beautiful, I'd love to build something so simple, functional and peaceful.

[@adityawaglearch]

Simply Brilliant...Love to see this house..and hear him all over again and again

[@timf4015]

Notice the small details... all the wood joinery is impeccable (e.g. the apex of the wood ceiling; the joint where the wall meets the stone floor in the hallway; the specular reflection in the ceiling planks entirely devoid of distortion). NO trim to cover sloppy construction. Immaculately clean design, skillfully executed.

[@veramentegina]

really beautiful.. Kudos to Mr. Suyama and his vision.. !!!

[@nicktorres4044]

In love with this man and house

[@northtexas4110]

The architecture is wonderful with the trees figured in. Living with less clutter free up stress for sure!

[@_DanielSinclair]

Love this house. Amazing to see the designer walk through every detail - it was like walking through his mind.

[@adclunn10]

I'd like a moon viewing porch...

[@ehllyINTHEYEAR8642]

Yeah this is inspiration, he put his own personal experience in account very beautiful unbelievable unique it looks like art to me.

[@keanmolinyawe]

I like how the darkness inside feels so relaxing. It feels so calming. Beautifully done.

[@moua0067]

I truly love listening to architects and how their minds think.

[@paulalusk5586]

What a beautiful & and calm home. It is structurally amazing.

[@elizdonovan5650]

Love it. Beautiful. However, it's unlike any small house I've ever seen. Would like to live in a space like that. 🙂☘🌲

[@paranoidhumanoid]

Love the warm darkness of this home. Also the Japanese elements like the antique tansu and lighting shades really liven the space.

[@trudytucker7240]

This looks ideal for a small house. Everything in its place, built in, eliminating clutter. The upstairs room is perfect for guests or office space. The face that there is only one bathroom would make it so people don't stay too long. Just beautiful.

[@chezmoi42]

There is another room, bathroom, and laundry on the lower level, which they didn't visit.

[@JIROHirokawa]

It's dark inside. But if you are there i think you wouldnt even mind because it is part of the character of the house. And it would be relaxing. I like the small space in the side where the rooms share 1 big window. Sometimes its not just about the space efficiency. You also have to factor in the connection of the rooms of the house.

[@Henrywildeberry]

I like the wooden house in the beginning, it's beautiful!

[@jenislavant8469]

He is brilliant but so down to earth. Love his design.

[@f0t0b0y]

Brilliant design. As a photographer, I love the balance of dark and light.

[@jenniferh.7219]

6:02 I like the upstairs "room" it just needs a skylight or two

[@404BOOMER]

It certainly opens your mind up to be creative. I think it is just awesome. Much better than some of these homes that are made out of shipping containers. Although I do like some of those too. This has opened my mind up considerably. Thanks for the ideas and a wonderful videos.

[@teamhunley]

that tree is gorgeous, they were wise to keep it

[@treespirit2000]

I believe that in public discussion we often confuse minimalist SIZE with minimalist STYLE. This architectural beauty has minimalist genius, but I well understand the consternation of those people who have a hard time wrapping their heads around this home with its high ceiling and enormous walls of windows which, IMHO, challenge the idea of a minimalistic home. Thanks for sharing, Mr. Suyama!

[@mamavixiii3507]

Such a beautiful house. It makes my heart happy.

[@ChrisLawley43]

Starting to feel like this guy already with my tiny house project I'm working on. I love this design you would never think it's that narrow with the high ceiling.

[@yuukihoffner8433]

A great and outstanding architect. Thank you Mr. Suyama!

[@simonasarlovska2242]

UNBELIEVABLE BEAUTY!

[@kismetau]

A beautiful home! It's interesting that even though he grew up in America his aesthetic really reminds me of other videos shown by Kirsten of minimalist homes in Japan.

[@wendyweaver8749]

kismetau - Minor, maybe pedantic, correction. The architect did not grow up in the U.S., he was born in the United States in 1942.

[@bottegaarchitecture7826]

What a great simplistic design and life style. Great job with the filming of this house, it really does relate to nature in a very intentional way. I love your work, keep up the great topic choices.

[@timm6112]

I'm crying. What a calm and beautiful house.

[@georgettagancarz1798]

This isn't only a home but an environment. The light and shadows are amazing. A minimalist dream. Love his collection of antiques. The energy of this house paints pure peace. Composition is flawless. Great artist. This house is a poem.

[@nadiaprater4645]

Clever, beautiful, stunning

[@alvageffenblad8293]

This is such an inspiring place! Thank you!

[@alimoyano8104]

So I got here because I got tired of all those small apt videos and needed to find some substance, and I absolutely did. Wonderful mind and life story told through architecture.

[@jizbotika]

I love to listen to that man. This is one of my favorite of your interview/tour videos, Mike Oehler is also up there because he was ahead of his time. Thank you Kirsten Dirksen for your service to helping share the possibilities. I have been "following" your work for years, I'm a huge fan.

[@andye5851]

Very interesting home. I wonder if the white structure of the home is a memory of the tarp internment camp bungalows. They look similar (rectangular.) Maybe the nook represents his yearning to be released from the camp or an exit. Very inspiring home and person he is. He is a survivor and has a warmth about him.

[@dawnsmith4157]

I'm so surprised by all the negative comments. So much negativity, so unnecessary. If you don't like it, don't look. No one is making you live here, and everyone has their own idea of what's beautiful and what's comfortable. Many believe in having space just for the sake of enjoying space. Clear space makes room for energy movement. I was just wondering if birds fly into the glass?

[@iiatargetanalyst3046]

I love living room space. Large loft style. Very beautiful

[@renatedebruyn9612]

It's just beautiful. It's perfect. It's a calming sanctuary. Thank you for sharing your lovely home. ❤️

[@MrMindful22]

Great video... and subject matter. Your use of filmography and shots, especially the 'Bauhaus'-like angular vignettes, make this video delightful. I couldn't help but imagine the house as a metaphor for his mind. Hungry for more... that's why i clicked on the subscribe button...

[@scdobserver835]

He says small house without a trace of an irony.

[@siuoldub]

SCD Observer Everything is relative, this house is tiny if you compare it with ... an aeroplane hanger.

[@nordfresse]

Exactly, and also there is nothing simple about it. Its trying really hard to pose as simple while being very complex and complicated.

[@thomaschristopherwhite9043]

nordfresse I don't understand what's complicated about it. The whole thing is probably 12-15 meters long and maybe 8 meters in width. If that. The box is probably 10 meters long with the rooms having a 4x3m in dimension. Leaving you with a 2x3 bath which is enough. A space up top for work and a combined kitchen and living space. The box is offset to the right of the house, barely touching the east wall opening each room to a gap so that it wouldn't feel claustrophobic. I don't understand you people... Were you expecting a box with a table in it?

[@nordfresse]

@James Franko Sure the layout is simple and everything looks like its coming together naturally and effortlessly. But the construction and design process behind it was very complex for sure. And also quite costly I would assume. But I like it as a house.

[@SamsungKE]

He said small house, not ‘tiny’ this channel does explore ‘tiny’ spaces but this IS small but LONG. It’s 18feet wide and probably 80feet long.

[@ACoupleStoners]

This is the greatest thing I've seen in a long time. Me and my wife are converting a 40 foot greyhound to live in and travel the country and this is so much of what we're going for! Thanks for the inspiration.

[@dshares]

From the outside it looked like he lived in a small white box inside of a home shaped building. Then they showed the inside. Wow. Nice! 👍🏼👍🏼

[@sxscustom]

Beautiful home