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 MoreWhile July is “Plastic-Free” month, SweisKloss has always been committed to sustainability and resiliency. Our designs incorporate thoughtful solutions from electric heat pumps and installing HydraLoop graywater systems, to specifying reclaimed materials and locally sourced products, to incorporating compost receptacles in kitchen design. But our commitment goes beyond our architectural designs – we are proud to be a Santa Monica Certified Green Business since 2018.
Read MoreWith the weather heating up many of us are spending more time in our front yards, back patios and public parks. These spaces provide a connection to nature, tranquility, and shade! More than just plants, ponds and bridges, Japanese gardens provide serenity and inspiration, and these hidden gems can be found throughout southern California.
Read MoreFourth of July means fireworks, parades, picnics and barbecues (oh and independence and freedom and patriotism and sacrifice for all those things we hold dear). We thought we would share some of our staff’s favorite dishes and drinks to bring to your July 4th gathering.
Read MoreIn theory, not too much has changed in theater design since the 5th Century BC when the Theater of Dionysus was built in Athens. The fundamentals have remained the same - an arc shaped raised seating area and a stage. Sure, we’ve made some adjustments -- movie theaters have replaced the stage with a screen and our seating is decidedly more comfortable than stone.
Read MoreWith the official start of summer this Friday, there’s no better time to highlight the timeless Bel Air pool and pool house SweisKloss created for this Paul Williams designed home.
Read MoreJune gardens are in full bloom with purple flowers bursting from Jacaranda trees, roses spilling over fences and star jasmine perfume filling the air. But not everyone has the luxury of spacious front and back yards. Cities are becoming denser with outdoor space at a premium. Enter the rise of the living roof industry of green roofs and rooftop gardens. From quiet meditation spots to sensory and herb gardens to stargazing spaces, green roofs provide precious outdoor spaces in the concrete jungle.
Read MoreWho can forget Roy Scheider’s famous line from the movie Jaws? This June, the iconic summer thriller turns 50. This got us thinking about boats and boat design, specifically large, luxury boat design. And wow, they sure are big!
Read MoreYou don’t need to be a “Top Chef” to enjoy this kitchen recently designed by SweisKloss. Light and airy, the space perfectly balances style and function.
Read MoreA robot with a giant arm, smoothly and methodically twisting and turning, concrete oozing out of its nozzle. This isn’t a Buck Rogers sci-fi episode; it’s 3D printing. Since its inception in the early 1980’s, 3D printing has been used in a variety of industries from healthcare to automotive, and it is on the rise in construction.
Read More“In nature, there is no landfill. Nature is circular, everything has a meaning and everything is recycled,” explains Danish recycle artist, activist and Troll creator, Thomas Dambo (nwtroll.com).
Read MoreTeaching goes beyond facts and figures, numbers and textbooks. Weather in the classroom or on the job, our teachers, employers and mentors can have a meaningful impact on our outlook that transcends our professions and shapes our humanity. In celebration of teacher appreciation week, SweisKloss’ Anthony Aguilar pays tribute to a professor that inspired him professionally and personally.
Read MoreFrom the Golden Gate Bridge to the Brooklyn Bridge, bridges from coast-to-coast showcase advancements in engineering, innovative design and striking architecture. Weather they are transforming a city’s skyline or blending effortlessly into nature, these US bridges push the boundaries in terms of scale, materials and aesthetics.
Read MoreIn celebration of Earth Month, we are highlighting the importance of composting organic waste. Organic waste consists of “material that comes from living organisms such as, … food, food scraps, … yard or green waste, wood, waste manure,” according to FightFoodWatse.com. Composted organic waste, often referred to as “black gold,” gets its colorful name from the dark brown or black nutrient rich soil that is as valuable as gold to gardeners, farmers and vintners.
Read MoreFrom the backs of closets to hidden shelves in the panty to junk drawers in the kitchen, spring cleaning season is upon us. This year don’t just discard your unwanted items in the trash. Plenty of recycling options and locations make donating and rehoming easier than ever.
Read MoreA tiny flowerpot house, a spaceship rental and a home in the shape of a shoe. We thought theses designs were April Fool’s jokes. But these topsy turvy designs are actual properties.
Read MoreAfter months of cooler temperatures, we’re all craving a taste of nature. The solutions: head outdoors or take on a little biophilic design.
Read MoreToday may be the first official day of Spring, but we still love getting cozy in front of this fireplace in a Spanish Colonial Revival recently remodeled by SweisKloss.
Read MoreWomen comprise nearly 47% of the national workforce according to the US Chamber of Commerce, yet they make up only 10% of the construction industry (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023). This means that “for every 10 people in a construction-related role, [only] one of them is a woman.” But those numbers are on the rise! In honor of Women’s History Month, we celebrate one of our own.
Read MoreCritic’s choice, fan favorite, and BAFTA, Golden Globe and Oscar winner, “The Brutalist” is a fictional story about a Hungarian architect and Holocaust survivor who emigrates to America where he is commissioned to design a monumental modernist project for a wealthy industrialist. While the film delves into a variety of themes including art, capitalism, and the complexities of the American Dream, among other topics, it has sparked an interest in Brutalist architecture. But what is Brutalist architecture?
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