Zema remains one of the Pacific Northwest’s most recognized and distinctive architects. A graduate of the University of Washington, he made his aesthetic mark on buildings and homes throughout the Seattle area. His iconic residential designs incorporate a keen artisan’s sense of beauty and style. Zema’s works also include many commercial structures, including iconic buildings on the UW campus. Zema, an inveterate world traveler, was heavily influenced by Japanese design. He regularly incorporated natural elements from this region to create a look that is often called Northwest modernism. The Asian and modernist influences combined to create a preference for simplicity in materials and look. Zema’s love of Japanese art was so great that he operated a Japanese antiquities shop for many years on Eastlake. Eclectic in tastes, he was also very interested in the art of the area’s indigenous peoples and his projects often contained motifs from the heritage of these groups. His interiors often reflect his refined appreciation of dramatic, geometric spaces. Zema paid particular attention to making certain his homes blended seamlessly with their physical environments, allowing the surrounding natural ecosystems to thrive. He was the architect of a home in Sheridan Heights that was awarded a Home of the Year prize from the AIA (American Institute of Architects). His designs enhanced the innate beauty of this region for many years, and he was truly one of the city’s most beloved artists.