Getting to the Getty
Getting to the Getty

Getting to the Getty

Who would ever think that “seeing red” would be a good thing? Moving from the Covid-19 purple tier to the red tier for Los Angeles is, in fact, a very good thing for many reasons. Most important, cases are going down. We will have some sense of normalcy once more places open including our amazing museums. Announcements are coming out that a few museums are opening, with limited capacity, as early as April 1. One of our favorite museums is the Getty Center, which is slated to open in phases starting mid- April.

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SK StaffComment
Head for the Hills and Tour Stahl House
Head for the Hills and Tour Stahl House

Head for the Hills and Tour Stahl House

Stahl House (Case Study House #22) is synonymous with iconic Los Angeles homes. The Stahl House photograph taken by legendary Julius Shulman is one of the most published and recognizable architectural photos. The mid-century modern home, beautifully built into and around the topography of the Hollywood Hills, was designed by prestigious California architect Pierre Koenig. But who were Buck and Carlotta Stahl? According to them, nobody famous.

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SK StaffComment
What to Consider Before Building an ADU
What to Consider Before Building an ADU

What to Consider Before Building an ADU

California is a popular place to build ADUs (accessory dwelling unit). Perhaps the state legislative changes that occurred in 2020 incentivized homeowners to take the ADU plunge, or maybe the pandemic prompted people to create a separated work-at-home space.

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SK StaffComment
Only 502 are Black Women
Only 502 are Black Women

Only 502 are Black Women

Out of 116,000 architects in the United States, only 502 are Black women. What a staggering statistic. That is only 0.4%. And this number is up ten times from where it was 30 years ago, which one could say is certainly progress. But is slow progress enough progress?

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SK StaffComment
Our First Eugene Kinn Choy Project
Our First Eugene Kinn Choy Project

Our First Eugene Kinn Choy Project

Signing on to a new design + construct project is always exciting. Signing on to a Eugene Kinn Choy designed home, and we have to admit, we took an extra minute to let it fully sink in that such an opportunity was ours. Architects and designers revere history-rich homes and buildings.

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SK StaffComment
State of the Arts District in Los Angeles
State of the Arts District in Los Angeles

State of the Arts District in Los Angeles

From an architectural standpoint, urban development and revitalization in the Los Angeles area is of great interest to us. We also see the importance in staying informed on the current direction of design and construction around the city. To be completely biased, LA has some of the best creative thinkers when it comes to innovation, and the architectural design community is no exception.

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SK StaffComment
“The View From Here” is Quite Impressive
“The View From Here” is Quite Impressive

“The View From Here” is Quite Impressive

Last summer we heard that the A+D (Architecture + Design) Museum was closing their physical location in downtown LA and moving to a hybrid model of virtual programming and pop-up exhibits in different cities. A museum that “explores the definitions of architecture and design, from the conceptual to professional practice,” A+D has become well known, especially to those of us in Los Angeles.

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SK StaffComment
Top 5 SweisKloss Blogs of 2020
Top 5 SweisKloss Blogs of 2020

Top 5 SweisKloss Blogs of 2020

As we embark upon a fourth year of writing the SweisKloss blogs, we reflect back on past blogs and how much we’ve enjoyed writing them. We were curious to know what our readers gravitated toward the most in 2020 and thought we’d share them with you. Here are the top five blogs to revisit or see for the first time if you are new to our newsletters.

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SK StaffComment
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Heart and Goal
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Heart and Goal

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Heart and Goal

Holidays from the Heart is a program near and dear to my, well, heart. This charitable initiative supports the most vulnerable and financially challenged patients at the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). I have been involved with this cause for the last seven years when my brother first introduced it to me.

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SK StaffComment
5 Countertops to Consider
5 Countertops to Consider

5 Countertops to Consider

When designing and renovating a space that includes a countertop, it is smart to weigh all the options. A countertop should provide a captivating focal point and complement the materials and colors that will surround the surface. Equally as important is selecting one for daily functionality that works with the homeowner’s lifestyle and needs. Consider the durability, maintenance, and porosity of the countertop material.

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SK StaffComment
From Our Home to Yours…Have a Happy Thanksgiving
From Our Home to Yours…Have a Happy Thanksgiving

From Our Home to Yours…Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving

Even in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, I am certain each of us could still list off many things we are grateful for. Our list may look a little differently this year, but finding something to appreciate each day has helped me get through this unprecedented year.

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SK StaffComment
Doughnuts and Architecture?!
Doughnuts and Architecture?!

Doughnuts and Architecture?!

Doughnut aficionados near and far will tell you that Sidecar Doughnuts + Coffee is hands down the sweetest establishment in Southern California for ridiculously-mouth-watering doughnuts, avid community giving, and that’s right…award-winning architecture.

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SK StaffComment
Rising to the Challenge
Rising to the Challenge

Rising to the Challenge

“What if a single act of design and construction made the world a better place?” This is the first sentence you read when you go to the International Living Future Institute’s (ILFI) site page about the Living Building Challenge (LBC). How could a line like that not resonate with us or with others in the field of design, architecture, and construction?

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SK StaffComment
The 5th Anniversary of The Broad Museum is Celebrated with an Architecture Film
The 5th Anniversary of The Broad Museum is Celebrated with an Architecture Film

The 5th Anniversary of The Broad Museum is Celebrated with an Architecture Film

After only five years, The Broad Museum is already becoming an iconic, recognizable Los Angeles structure. And we love how they are celebrating their fifth year as a renowned museum. In honor of the anniversary, Brazilian-born, LA-based visual artist Clarissa Tossin created an eleven-minute film on the beauty of The Broad’s architecture.

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SK StaffComment
AIALA Student Exhibition in Architecture and Design Goes Virtual
AIALA Student Exhibition in Architecture and Design Goes Virtual

AIALA Student Exhibition in Architecture and Design Goes Virtual

I’ve been teaching in architecture and design programs at universities for many years, and it is something I love doing. I especially enjoy guiding students to further their creativity and think beyond the norm. I love how each one of them can come up with a unique solution for the same building.

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Guest UserComment
Do You Know Esther McCoy?
Do You Know Esther McCoy?

Do You Know Esther McCoy?

If you have a passion for architecture, then the name Esther McCoy would be well known to you. For those who can’t quite place her, then allow us to share how meaningful she was to the architecture community of Southern California, especially during the mid-twentieth century.

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SK StaffComment
Smart Home
Smart Home

Are Smart Homes a Wise Decision?

One does not need to geek out on technology to know that smart homes will not only continue into the future but will become even more advanced. That’s right, even smarter. In fact more smart cities will be popping up in addition to smart home automation. And what exactly is a smart home?

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SK StaffsustainabilityComment