Spotlight of the Month: A Fireplace with Flair
Today 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.
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Celebrating Women in Construction: SK’s Cynthia Salah Kraus
Women 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.
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Brutally Honest Architecture
Critic’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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Celebrating Midcentury Modernism
A sideboard, an Eames chair, a Noguchi coffee table… Icons of Midcentury Modernism design.
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Rammed Earth
Rammed earth is a timeless construction method that offers a modern solution to fire resistance. The ancient technique utilizes raw natural materials such as earth, chalk, sand, gravel, etc. which are compacted to form the building’s structure including the foundation, floors, and walls.
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Lighting Trends We Love
From jewel inspired chandeliers to organic shaped floor lamps, lighting can really set the mood. Whether you’re planning a dinner party with friends or a romantic evening, this Valentine’s Day consider some of these lighting trends that are lighting up 2025.
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Stadium Design Scores a Touchdown
This coming Sunday is Super Bowl LIX. While fans will be scrutinizing the Chief’s passes and analyzing the Eagles’ defensive line, here at SweisKloss we’ll be checking out New Orleans’ newly renovated stadium. In the last few years, stadium design has evolved to incorporate advances in technology, sustainability, and above all improvements to enhance the fan experience.
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2025 Design Trends
New Year, new trends. Stark white is out, earth tones are in. Minimalism is out, layered is in. The design trends for 2025 cultivate a sense a well-being, create a connection to nature, and reflect the homeowner’s personality.
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Designer Year in Review
From sunken bathtubs to seamless corner windows, SweisKloss has designed challenging and exciting builds throughout 2024. The team has tackled strategies for energy efficient systems and sustainable homes, incorporated a “part water slide - part statement piece in the shape of a high heel shoe” into a backyard and aced designs for a kindergarten.
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Spotlight of the Month: An Entertaining Kitchen
With the holiday season upon us, entertaining is easier than ever in this contemporary kitchen that combines style and function.
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Gifts that Give Back
Tis’ the season to give, but this year why not give a gift that gives back? Pay it forward with presents that support worthy causes, save animals and protect the environment. For the foodie to the domestic goddess to your four-legged bestie, we’ve uncovered presents that give twice the joy.
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Design + Construct Spotlight of the Month: Elegant Dining, Just in time for the holidays
Earlier this autumn, SweisKloss finished construction on this SK-designed home in Westchester. Sophistication meets comfort in this modern space.
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Planes, Trains & Automobiles
“Train don’t run out of Wichita unless you’re a hog or a cattle. People train runs out of Stubbville,” Owen explains to Neal and Del in the Thanksgiving classic Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Airplanes get diverted, trains breakdown and cars ignite in Steve Martin and John Candy’s 1987 comedy, making travel a nightmare during the holiday season. However, these train stations make traveling a pleasure – you may even want your train delayed so you can enjoy their unique amenities ranging from a planetarium to a museum or simply to marvel at their glorious architecture.
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Skyscrapers Aim High
November marks the 10th anniversary of the opening of NYC’s One World Trade Center. At 1,776-feet, it is the tallest building in the United States. Skyscrapers not only shape and define a city’s skyline but are an expression of architectural innovation and technical prowess. Recent skyscraper structures have aimed high in their creativity, sustainability and bold designs.
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Design + Construct Spotlight of the Month: Stylish Contemporary Library
When SweisKloss was tasked with constructing a new home for a family of four in Sunset Park, dedicating a space where the adults could find serenity and quiet elegance was crucial. The result was this contemporary and stylish library.
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“Darkness and Claustrophobia are Your Friends” – Leonard Pickel
Creepy ghouls and goblins, spooky skeletons and frightening jump scares may sound like just some Halloween fun – but designing a truly scary haunted house is serious business. According to the Wall Street Journal, “haunted houses are a $500 million industry” visited by 46.5 million people last year in the U.S.
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SK’s 2nd Annual Guide to Independent Bookstores
October is National Book Month and that means it’s time for SweisKloss’ 2nd annual guide to independently owned bookstores in the Los Angeles area. From a store brimming with plants to a club dedicated to YA selections to a haven for Spanish children’s books, this year’s list of independent bookstores offers something for every type of reader and for those who just like to soak in the ambiance.
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PSL Season
All over social media, enthusiasts are celebrating “PSL” this autumn season. At SweisKloss, PSL isn’t about our favorite Pumpkin Spiced Latte. In architectural terms, PSL, or parallel strand lumber, is when parallel wood strands are joined together using structural adhesive. A timber revolution is sweeping the construction industry as wood’s sustainability and environmentally friendly attributes become a key tool in reducing waste.
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Spanish Colonial Revival Architecture
From terra-cotta clay tile roofs and white stucco walls, to soft arches and carved wooden doors, the Spanish Colonial Revival style is prevalent throughout southern California. In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept 15 – Oct 15), we thought we’d showcase this early twentieth century style that, “represents an adaption of Spanish missions and Mediterranean-style homes, … while also [takes] inspiration from Mexican, Pueblo and Moorish design styles” (masterclass.com).
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Design + Construct Spotlight of the Month: Window with a View
Blurring the lines between the indoors and outdoors is a SweisKloss’ design ethos and these massive windows in the primary bedroom of our recent new build showcase that philosophy.
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