Suma Design & Construction
Modern Contemporary Builder
Story by Ann Butenas / Sponsored Content
Mark Sumada, owner of Suma Design & Construction, started his journey in architecture at the University of Kansas back in the 1970s. There, he learned from Curtis Bessinger, who had spent 20 years working alongside Frank Lloyd Wright. The contemporary architecture program exposed him to visionaries like Wright and Antoni Gaudi, a 19th century Catalan architect and designer, setting the foundation for what would become his life’s work.
In the early 80s, Sumada tackled his first contemporary home design. The project centered around passive solar design – a hot topic at the time. Since then, he’s watched the field of energy conservation transform, giving his team more freedom to blend efficient materials with creative design solutions.
His design inspiration comes from decades of global travel. Walking the vibrant streets of Spain, Greece, and Thailand showed him how different cultures create and use living spaces. These international influences pop up in his work, much like how American architecture itself reflects our melting pot of cultures.
When asked about his creative process, Sumada explains how designs often appear in his mind as basic shapes – squares, triangles, circles – that he plays with until they click into something unique. His clients jump into this creative mix too, bringing their own ideas that help make each home special.
Nothing beats the moment when clients see their finished home, Sumada expressed. Recently, a homeowner texted him after living in their house for a year and a half, just to share how much they still love it. “They become friends, not clients,” Sumada noted, “We take care of them long after the project wraps up.”
These days, his designs focus heavily on openness. Modern families want to be together – cooking, hanging out, celebrating holidays – without walls getting in the way. His team takes this concept further by adding features like scissor doors that extend living spaces onto decks and patios, and even front porches.
Looking ahead, Sumada stays grounded in quality while keeping an eye on innovation. He’s seen countless new materials and technologies emerge over the years, but his core belief hasn’t changed: a well-built home never goes out of style. It earns respect and appreciation that last generations.
Fresh View
The father-son duo believes quality construction speaks for itself. While trends come and go, their focus remains on creating spaces where families can grow, entertain, and build memories. Each project challenges them to think differently, but the goal stays the same: design homes that inspire and stand the test of time.
After more than 50 years in the business, Sumada’s son Ben has joined the family legacy, bringing fresh energy to their work. Ben introduced interactive design technology that lets clients see and modify their future homes in real time. This blend of old-school craftsmanship and modern tools keeps Suma Design & Construction pushing forward.
