--- title: "Sarah Susanka, FAIA — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/sarah-susanka-faia-pfvwus-pf~1954669449 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1954669449.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Sarah Susanka, FAIA" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/588344610ed519b1_2575-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "Raleigh, North Carolina 27613, United States" latitude: 35.8949 longitude: -78.7051 phone: "(919) 841-0124" website: http://www.susanka.com rating: 5 review_count: 1 best_of_houzz_awards: 2 followers: 946 last_updated: 2026-09-05 --- # Sarah Susanka, FAIA Original Houzz profile: [Sarah Susanka, FAIA](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/sarah-susanka-faia-pfvwus-pf~1954669449) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Raleigh, NC - **Serves:** Raleigh - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (1 review) - **Best of Houzz:** 2 awards (2014–2015), for Design. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Houzz Influencer - 100,000 Ideabook Saves Sarah Susanka’s “Not So Big” message has become a launch pad for a new dimension of understanding—not just about how we inhabit our homes, but also about how we inhabit our planet and even our day-to-day lives. As a cultural visionary with an incredible ability to understand the underlying structure of the American lifestyle, Susanka is providing the language and tools that are redefining how we live. Thought leader, inspirational keynote speaker and acclaimed architect, Susanka is the author of nine books that collectively weave together home and life design, revealing that a “Not So Big” attitude serves not only architectural aims, but life goals as well. Her books have sold well over 1.5 million copies. Join her online at www.notsobig.com. ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Custom Homes - House Plans - Universal Design ### Areas Served - Raleigh ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Sarah Susanka, FAIA | | Address | Raleigh, North Carolina 27613, United States | | Phone | (919) 841-0124 | | Website | http://www.susanka.com | | License Number | 30046828 | | Followers on Houzz | 946 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/SarahSusanka - X (Twitter) — http://www.twitter.com/sarahsusanka - LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-susanka-faia-46958b11a/ - Blog — http://www.notsobighouse.com/ ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Sarah Susanka, FAIA](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/sarah-susanka-faia-pfvwus-pf~1954669449) - **Website:** http://www.susanka.com - **Phone:** (919) 841-0124 ## Credentials - **Best of Houzz:** 2 awards (2014–2015), for Design. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 1 review** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 50.0 - Communication: 50.0 - Value: 50.0 ### All 1 review **★★★★★ — HU-567909737, Sept. 2022** > Lived in her best ever home design in St Paul MN - moved out in mid-1990’s and have missed the beautiful designs throughout the house - including smart built-ins and natural light in every room - on all three levels. We need you here in Denver!!! ## Selected projects - [Original Not So Big House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/original-not-so-big-house-pj-vj~481228) - Location: St. Paul, MN - Photos: 17 - Description: Plans available for sale at https://bit.ly/3A9zOZh Sarah Susanka designed and built her own home as a Not So Big House prototype. The plans for this famous house contain most of the concepts described in the Not So Big books. It can be built either as a two story home without basement, or as shown in both books, with a lower level. - [Mendota Heights House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mendota-heights-house-pj-vj~2355496) - Location: Mendota Heights, MN - Photos: 19 - Description: This original Sarah Susanka designed house may be recognized by its round picture window, as featured in Sarah's first book, The Not So Big House. - [Excelsior House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/excelsior-house-pj-vj~2356225) - Location: Excelsior, MN - Photos: 27 - [Deephaven House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/deephaven-house-pj-vj~2412708) - Location: Wayzata, MN - Photos: 29 - Description: Built in 1991, this original Sarah Susanka designed house was recently up for sale. - [Home By Design Original](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/home-by-design-original-pj-vj~485651) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 29 - Description: Plans are available for sale at http://www.notsobighouse.com/plans/ssplans.asp This home embodies the principles of Not So Big® House design. It is a model for key principles related to the use of Space, Light and Order as outlined in Sarah Susanka's fourth book, Home By Design, and is also featured in both the last chapter of Inside the Not So Big House and the first chapter of Outside the Not So Big House. - [NC Lake House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/nc-lake-house-pj-vj~708770) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 40 - Description: Plans available for sale at http://www.notsobighouse.com/plans/ssplans.asp Sarah Susanka and NC architect Tina Govan collaborated on the design of this lakeside home. Primary goals were to capture water views, embody the sense of peace and serenity that derives from a rural setting, and make the home work as well for just a few people as for a large extended family. In essence, it needed to function as two houses in one. A series of connected buildings, with wide eaves, generous porch and breeze… - [Libertyville Not So Big Showhouse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/libertyville-not-so-big-showhouse-pj-vj~207664) - Location: Libertyville, IL - Photos: 20 - Description: Plans available for sale at http://www.notsobighouse.com/plans/ssplans.asp This home was built originally in Libertyville, IL, as a showhouse to exemplify Sarah's Not So Big design principles. An ideal choice for a long, narrow lot (the lot in Libertyville was just 29' wide), this house is designed to be highly energy efficient, to encourage a sense of community, and to allow its owners to age in place. - [Breezeway](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/breezeway-pj-vj~482619) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 23 - Description: Plans available for sale at http://www.notsobighouse.com/plans/ssplans.asp This prairie style home designed by Sarah Susanka projects horizontal, clean lined elevations that mimic a prairie landscape. The home features voluminous light filled spaces and rich exposed beam woodwork that reflect craftsman influences and draw you in, while letting you glimpse into one area from another at all times. The openness and clean architectural lines characterize Susanka's designs, providing volume and light… - [Big Island Prairie House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/big-island-prairie-house-pj-vj~481665) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 20 - Description: Plans are available for sale at http://www.notsobighouse.com/plans/ssplans.asp This house, which was first featured in the annual Houses issue of Fine Homebuilding in 1994, and which also appears on pages 134 and 160 of The Not So Big House, is the ultimate expression of Sarah's use of continuous trim bands. This house is one of the best examples of Susanka's meticulous attention to detail. - [Home By Design Showhouse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/home-by-design-showhouse-pj-vj~511708) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 13 - Description: Plans available for sale at http://www.notsobighouse.com/plans/ssplans.asp The design of the Home By Design Showhouse is based on the Home By Design Original plan. The showhouse was first built on the parking lot of the Stardust Hotel for the 2004 International Builders Show in Las Vegas. This beautiful and uniquely designed 3 bedroom/2.5 bath home was built to exemplify many of the Not So Big principles featured in Sarah's fourth book, Home By Design. Luxurious in feel, the home includes abunda… - [Prairie Ingenuity](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/prairie-ingenuity-pj-vj~511682) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 7 - Description: Plans available for sale at http://www.notsobighouse.com/plans/ssplans.asp This home is featured in The Not So Big House, and was designed originally to embody many of Sarah's "not so big" principles in a house that is "not too expensive" to build. PRAIRIE INGENUITY illustrates how a few simple design decisions can keep costs in check without sacrificing space and detailing. The form of the house is a simple rectangle with a bump-out at the stairway. Unlike a house with a more complex exterior,… - [Not So Big Showhouse 2005](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/not-so-big-showhouse-2005-pj-vj~481544) - Location: Orlando, FL - Photos: 17 - Description: Plans are available for sale at http://www.notsobighouse.com/plans/ssplans.asp This home was originally designed and built as a walk-through demonstration of Sarah Susanka's Not So Big® House concepts for the 2005 International Builders Show in Orlando, Florida. The Not So Big® Showhouse 2005 sports a welcoming wrap around veranda, spacious screened porch, long breezeway, and pool changing area. Plans are also included for a second floor "gazebo" above the garage, though Sarah recommends keeping… - [Prairie Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/prairie-home-pj-vj~511549) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 10 - Description: Plans for this home are available at http://www.notsobighouse.com/plans/ssplans.asp Featured on pages 164 and 172 of The Not So Big House, the design for this PRAIRIE HOME was inspired by traditional Japanese Architecture, the same source that informed the work of Frank Lloyd Wright and the Arts & Crafts Movement of the early 20th Century. Interestingly, when Sarah designed this house she had not yet studied Prairie School design, though after the house was published and a reporter noted the Pra… - [A Good Neighbor](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/a-good-neighbor-pj-vj~482875) - Location: Minneapolis, MN - Photos: 14 - Description: Plans available for sale at http://www.notsobighouse.com/plans/ssplans.asp This home was featured in the first chapter of Sarah Susanka's fourth book, Home By Design, and was designed to blend into a 1920's inner ring suburban neighborhood. The hipped roof with large projecting overhangs, horizontal trim bands, contrasting brick base and two story form add a sense of the past to what is in reality very contemporary detailing. The interior is open, spacious and filled with light, with well-placed… [See all 14 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/sarah-susanka-faia-pfvwus-pf~1954669449) ## Ideabooks - [Accessible Design](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/125021189/list/accessible-design) — 14 ideas - [Interior Views](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/29047564/list/interior-views) — 17 ideas - [Attention To Detail](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/114317101/list/attention-to-detail) — 5 ideas - [Shelter Around Activity](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/29046380/list/shelter-around-activity) — 33 ideas - [Built-ins](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/31527994/list/built-ins) — 20 ideas - [Stairs](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/139278551/list/stairs) — 3 ideas - [Small retreats](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/130864927/list/small-retreats) — 32 ideas - [Timber Frame Structures](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/125018009/list/timber-frame-structures) — 58 ideas - [Composition](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/29047744/list/composition) — 52 ideas - [Entering](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/30351936/list/entering) — 34 ideas - [Ceiling Height Variety](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/29047414/list/ceiling-height-variety) — 60 ideas - [Inside Outside](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/29046502/list/inside-outside) — 34 ideas - [Window Composition](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/86082817/list/window-composition) — 6 ideas - [Window Seats](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/30627645/list/window-seats) — 19 ideas - [Openability](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/29047618/list/openability) — 30 ideas - [Window Positioning](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/29047676/list/window-positioning) — 25 ideas - [Not So Big Houses](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/91253309/list/not-so-big-houses) — 33 ideas - [Over-Under](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/71222878/list/over-under) — 4 ideas - [Visual Weight](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/29047491/list/visual-weight) — 10 ideas - [Doing Double Duty](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/31527517/list/doing-double-duty) — 53 ideas [See all 41 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/sarah-susanka_faia) ## Community Q&A **Q: Is there a downsized version of this home?** *(in Photo Questions)* This home is amazing, but too much house for us. We would love a downscaled version with the main full amenities. Is this a possibility? Thank you A: There are currently no downscaled versions of the plan developed, but others have asked before, so it's a possibility. Can you tell me what features you would want to keep, and which you could do without? Also, about what square footage are you aiming for? **Q: What is the lower color?** *(in Photo Questions)* Looking to replicate the color scheme, what is the lower color? A: Hi Chris. It's Sherwin Williams 7635, "Palisade". **Q: Love the stools-wondering who made them...** *(in Photo Questions)* This is such a beautiful house! I am wondering if the counter stools are custom made and if so, by whom? It is our goal to build our retirement home in 2-3 years. We are planning on purchasing these plans and making a few modifications to the lower level (smaller) but love, love the rest of the plan. I have been a fan since I purchased your books when they were first published many years ago!:) Appreciate any advice on stools. A: Thanks for your question. I believe they are custom made, but I am not sure by whom, unfortunately, so I'm afraid I can't help you in that regard. I'm so glad to hear that you're planning to build a version of this house. You will love it. **Q: What is the color of the vanity and chair rail?** *(in Photo Questions)* I'm just wondering if you can give me the paint name of the color of the vanity (so that I can reuse the one I already have) and also of the chair rail. Thank you very much. A: That's the same as the main wall color throughout the rest of the house - Sherwin Williams 7527, "Nantucket Dune." **Q: such a nice bathroom! Can you tell me the faucet model/manu please?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: I'm not sure of the model, but the manufacturer is Moen. Thanks for your question. **Q: I would love to know where lighting was purchased.** *(in Photo Questions)* A: If you're referring to the pendant lights, they came from Contrast Lighting (http://www.contrastlighting.com/) and in my records I have them as PS 027GKEN/p205BKO11A. That is what is on the lighting schedule, but that doesn't mean that's what ended up going in. I would double check that, or contact Contrast Lighting. Thanks for your question! --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-05.*