Spotlight of the Month: A Cozy Firepit

Spotlight of the Month: A Cozy Firepit

As temperatures drop at night this time of year, it becomes the season of gathering around the warmth and glow of an outdoor fire. This patio space designed by SweisKloss for this Bel Air estate is perfect for the season.

Read More
Laura McMahon
A Paw-sitively Wonderful Time of Year

A Paw-sitively Wonderful Time of Year

Tis’ the season for gift giving to all family members, including the furry ones! Here at SweisKloss we love our four-legged pals and have put together a list of unique presents for pets and their owners.

Read More
Laura McMahon
Get Your Kicks On…

Get Your Kicks On…

From giant green dinosaurs in Holbrook, AZ, and a 170-foot Catsup bottle-shaped water tower in Oklahoma City to kitschy general stores and vintage diners, Route 66 has quirky landmarks and peculiar roadside attractions that make taking a break well worth the trip.

Read More
Laura McMahon
Speakeasys and Hidden Gems

Speakeasys and Hidden Gems

Hidden in backrooms and behind concealed doors, Los Angeles boasts speakeasys that serve crafted cocktails in cool settings. With the holiday season upon us, look for cheer in some of the city’s hidden gems.

Read More
Laura McMahon
Spooky Sites

Spooky Sites

An abandoned amusement park, a floating prison, a ghost church. These deserted sites leave behind architectural, historical and cultural mysteries. Just in time for Halloween, let’s visit these creepy locations.

Read More
Laura McMahon
When you gotta go, you gotta go… Public Restroom Design

When you gotta go, you gotta go… Public Restroom Design

Commuters to Santa Monica can now enjoy the royal treatment. Throne Labs’ recently installed a high tech and eco-friendly public restroom at the Downtown Santa Monica Metro Station. ADA compliant, Throne toilets are designed to serve a wide range of people from providing a baby changing station to offering complimentary menstrual products, with hands-free operations for most functions. To access the free restrooms, users scan a QR code and then have 10 minutes to do their business.

Read More
Laura McMahon
Preserving Latino Architecture

Preserving Latino Architecture

Up and down the coast of California, sites showcasing Hispanic heritage are in danger of disappearing. Latinos in Heritage Conservation, a nonprofit organization committed to the “preservation of Latinx places, stories and heritage,” compiled a list of sites around the country that reveal a rich history, cultural influences and architectural significance, and are in danger of destruction

Read More
Laura McMahon
Spotlight of the Month: Zaid Soudani

Spotlight of the Month: Zaid Soudani

This month’s spotlight shines a light on one of SweisKloss’ newest team members, designer and project manager, Zaid Soudani. Born in Amman, Jordan and raised in Los Angeles, Zaid’s love of design and art began at an early age, with a high school course in graphic design sparking his interest in cutting edge technology.

Read More
Laura McMahon
The Fall Equinox & Sacred Architecture

The Fall Equinox & Sacred Architecture

This coming Monday is the Fall Equinox, marking the day when we experience roughly the same amount of daylight and darkness. In ancient cultures this was a powerful reminder of the deep connection between nature, time and human, and it had a profound impact on the built environment.  Many of these extraordinary ancient structures exist today (in partial ruins) displaying architectural ingenuity and yet still holding mysteries after all this time.

Read More
Laura McMahon
Hip to Venice

Hip to Venice

From the craftsman cottages on the canals, to colorful beach houses on the oceanfront walk, to warehouse conversions on Abbott Kinney, Venice Beach architecture is an eclectic mix of styles that reflect its bohemian spirit. This summer, Venice Beach celebrated 120 years as a vibrant seaside neighborhood.

Read More
Laura McMahon
The Sea Ranch

The Sea Ranch

Set on a 10-mile windswept stretch of the Pacific coast in Northen California lies a community dedicated to living in harmony with nature and preserving the area’s rugged beauty.  Welcome to The Sea Ranch, an idyllic community of more than 2,000 homes on 7,000 acres interspersed among cypress hedgerows, redwood forests, sprawling meadows and the majestic ocean (thesearanchlodge.com).

Read More
Laura McMahon
Birdbrain Solutions

Birdbrain Solutions

Last night, 23,100 birds were in flight according to BirdCast.  While we tend to think of autumn as the avian migratory season, many birds begin their trek south to warmer climates in August. 

Read More
Laura McMahon
Dog Days of Summer

Dog Days of Summer

This Tuesday, August 26, is National Dog Day. At SweisKloss, we love our four-legged friends who frequently can be found roaming the office looking for belly rubs, treats and attention. And many of our clients are dog lovers too.

Read More
Laura McMahon
Go Back to School with Companies that Give Back to School

Go Back to School with Companies that Give Back to School

Notebooks, pencils and pens, backpacks… The list of back-to-school items is endless and increasingly costly.  While we always recommend reusing and recycling items from last year, but if you are in the market for some new supplies, try making purchases with companies that also give back to schools, students and teachers in need through product donations.  

Read More
Laura McMahon
Before They Were Famous

Before They Were Famous

Before they created LA’s Walt Disney Concert Hall, Sao Paulo’s Ibrapuera Park or London’s Gherkin building, these famous architects spent their early years at internships, pursuing various (non-architectural) professions, and working in diverse fields.

Read More
Laura McMahon
Santa Monica Celebrates 150 Years

Santa Monica Celebrates 150 Years

Santa Monica is celebrating 150 years with festivities kicking off this month and continuing through the end of the year.  The city has a rich history, a lot of which is reflected in its striking and diverse architectural styles.

Read More
Laura McMahon