As designers we appreciate walking into a space and immediately getting a sense of the architectural design approach. As foodies we love when a well-designed restaurant is paired up with a thoughtful menu, which is why when we saw that AIALA awarded 2021 Restaurant Design Awards (Merit and People’s Choice) to LA Puglia of Santa Monica, we were compelled to interview the owner and find out more. And we loved her story.
Read MoreWe tend to avoid the word “trend” around here at SweisKloss. Instead, we strive to use design elements that fits within the architectural style of a home and captures the homeowner’s lifestyle. Yet without question, design should always be beautiful and successfully blend modernity and timelessness. So, when it comes to incorporating one of the most widely used home materials, such as wood, choosing the right type should fall within this blended realm of design.
Read MoreFor most people, when one thinks about football, architecture isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. But for us if architecture can be applied in some way, then hey, why not. Therefore, football + architecture (+ SoCal) = the Rose Bowl. With college football season off to a start, we thought it would be fun to write about this iconic stadium.
Read MoreThere are quite a few advantages to having an outdoor water feature. No matter how big or small, water features add a lovely aesthetic appeal as well as creating a serene atmosphere through sight, sound, and even scent. It’s a proven fact that connecting with nature has therapeutic effects on your senses and wellbeing, so it is something to consider when planning an outdoor space.
Read MoreOne of our current renovation projects is in the Hollywood Hills near Griffith Park with a clear view of the Griffith Observatory. This got us thinking about the history of the area and the widely recognizable landmark of the three-domed observatory, which has welcomed over 85 million visitors since its opening night in 1935.
Read MoreWhere has the summer gone? The start of school is a yearly indicator that the summer is nearing its end. Being in sunny Southern California is somewhat of an endless summer to begin with, but nevertheless, there’s a shift that happens. The beaches and oceanfront areas get quieter, even the famous Santa Monica Pier is a little less bustling. But when we say less bustling, it’s still filled with a good amount of people at seemingly any given time.
Read MoreFeeling blue, green with envy, and tickled pink are just a few idioms we use to express a mood related to a certain color. So, it would make sense that there is such a thing as color psychology—the theory of assigning emotions to colors—when it comes to designing a space and why choosing colors for a home should be a thoughtful exploration of palettes.
Read MoreVisionary. Theorist. Luminary. These are just a few words to describe Ray Kappe, a forward-thinking architect who made an indelible imprint on architecture. His award-winning designs can be spotted in a multitude of areas throughout Southern California. When we think of Ray Kappe, the first thing that comes to mind is the impact he made as an educator in the field of architecture and design.
Read MorePalm Springs is the hottest place to see the largest concentration of preserved mid-century modern homes by a who’s who list of prolific architects from that era. Architectural design so revered that not only is there an annual celebration but a preview event leading up to that celebration.
Read MoreA call came in a few months back from one of our clients—we have been designing their new home in Malibu. After catching up for a bit, our client surprised us with why he called; the conversation went something like this...
Read MoreOne of our earlier blogs, when we started writing these three years ago, was about the Sheats-Goldstein Residence designed by one of our favorite architects John Lautner. The blog goes into how early on in her career and prior to SweisKloss, Abeer toured the Sheats-Goldstein Residence and found it to be a defining moment, realizing how special and extraordinary architecture can be. With this week’s blog, we find ourselves coming full circle as we write about another Lautner home, the Tyler House.
Read MoreOne of our earlier blogs, when we started writing these three years ago, was about the Sheats-Goldstein Residence designed by one of our favorite architects John Lautner. The blog goes into how early on in her career and prior to SweisKloss, Abeer toured the Sheats-Goldstein Residence and found it to be a defining moment, realizing how special and extraordinary architecture can be. With this week’s blog, we find ourselves coming full circle as we write about another Lautner home, the Tyler House.
Read MoreSanta Monica has been teeming with tourists once again, and what a welcome sight it is because their presence brings back some normalcy to our neck of the beaches. Given that we live + work here, we often forget how much of a vacation destination SM is for lots of people. With the last year behind us, the energy is back, and the streets are filled with those looking to enjoy their downtime.
Read MoreImagine if there was social media in the early years of the 20th century. French architect and design icon Charlotte Perriand would have blown up Instagram like nobody’s business. She had personal style and a bold personality. Combine that with her incredible design of furniture, interiors and architecture, and she would have been a clear influencer of her time. She was definitely a pioneer for women in modernist design.
Read MoreWe all loved LEGO® bricks as a kid…and without question still do. It’s a classic toy treasured by the most avid of fans, and LEGO Architecture has a serious following. There are websites and blogs devoted to “brick architecture” written by self-declared “brick geeks.” One can easily find sites listing which architecture sets are coming out and which are retiring. ArchDaily, AD, and Dezeen —to name a few publications—did articles highlighting LEGO sets that have taken brick architecture to great heights.
Read MoreSome of you may be asking “What’s a lookbook?” The short answer: a lookbook is a collection of photos done in a nicely designed format to show images and convey a style, theme, or brand to a select audience. They are quite useful for those who appreciate having a visual, which is why we created a new one for SweisKloss last year. So, when Dezeen started publishing lookbooks a couple months ago, we were really excited. Since then, we go to their website each week to see what’s new.
Read MoreWe all love (and sometimes hate, right?) the digital world, especially this past year. There are incredible software programs for design and architecture that can render 3-D images to perfection and others that can create drawings down to the tiniest of details from every angle possible. But there is something to be said for the tactile quality and visual artistry of putting pen to paper, which is why many from our design + construct team sketch out on paper before turning to the computer.
Read MoreDead Ringer (the Bette Davis version). The Fabulous Baker Boys. There Will Be Blood. The Social Network. What do these films have in common? Architecture. Specifically, Greystone Mansion. Celebrity sightings are kind of a given in LA, but one notable Hollywood star should be Greystone Mansion, which has served as the cinematic backdrop and setting for a countless list of films, tv shows, commercials and photoshoots.
Read MoreThere are a ton of places to admire in Southern California. We have the coast, the mountains, the best weather, not to mention an amazing amount of historic architecture and landmarks. Without question, a favorite city to visit, live, and work is Santa Monica, which is why Abeer chose it as the location for the SweisKloss office—we’ve been in the Central Tower building in DTSM for 20+ years. Many of our staff live here, and if given the chance, they will tell you how much they love it.
Read MoreWhen it comes to hiring, we are always on the lookout for good people. We welcome someone who is not only creative, talented, skilled, etc. but those who have a sense of humor and a positive outlook, both of which go a long way in work and life. So, when Ernie Samudio came along, we couldn’t have been more thrilled to bring him on board as our foreman and in-house electrician. His infectious laughter and energetic spirit are appreciated by all.
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