Is one of your New Year’s resolutions to be kinder to yourself? To do better to nurture your body and mind? January is a great time to focus on wellness, so we thought we’d do our part and share some ideas on achieving wellness through design.
Read MoreDecorating the exterior of our homes with festive displays and lights has become a national obsession with contests, television shows and online posts. How did this lighting design craze start?
Read MoreThis month the bulldozer turns 100 years old. From its humble beginnings as an attachment on a farm tractor, the bulldozer has become a sophisticated machine with hydraulics and GPS technology, sound systems and air conditioning, and has revolutionized the construction industry.
Read MoreFrom a bathroom remodel or a kitchen upgrade to a backyard addition or whole house constructionrenovation, SweisKloss’s designers blend current trends with timeless creations and emphasize the client’s experience, comfort and personal preferences. As this is the end of the year, we thought we’d take a moment to share some of our favorite design trends of 2023.
Read MoreThe scent of pine needles, twinkling lights, dangling ornaments – for many, the Christmas tree is the hallmark of the holidays. We joyfully found some sustainable Christmas tree options that are environmentally friendly and festive.
Read MoreThis year let’s make Black Friday a Green Friday by supporting local shops and purchasing sustainable gifts. To that end, we have some suggestions:
Read MoreWith the abundance of e-zines, online newspapers, and e-readers, there is still something magical about wandering the aisles of a bookstore, sliding into a cozy chair and holding a book in your hands. Los Angeles has an abundance of eclectic and independent bookstores that offer readers everything from the latest bestsellers to rare finds and are also architecturally intriguing. In this article we highlight some of LA’s coolest independent bookstores.
Read MoreStanding approximately 45 feet high on the hills overlooking the city, the iconic Hollywood Sign is recognized around the world. Those nine white letters have become a symbol of the entertainment industry and evoke images of the glamourous lifestyles associated with it.
Read MoreDesign exerts a monumental influence over our well-being. We spend most of our time inside buildings that have been designed; designed with important physical life safety and comfort features such as smoke and fire detection, heating and cooling, and adequate egress. But what about mental health safety?
Read MoreSouthern California is known for its abundant sunshine, beautiful landscapes, and mild climate. The region has emerged as a hub for environmentally friendly architecture and planning. Among the most efficient methods in this pursuit is passive solar design. In this article, we'll explore some tailored passive solar design ideas for the Southern California climate, ensuring year-round comfort and a reduced carbon footprint in your home.
Read MoreIn today's rapidly evolving world, architecture stands as a testament to both our history and our future. Recent years have seen the emergence of design trends that reflect our changing lifestyles, technological advancements, and commitment to sustainability. This post will delve into some of the most significant architectural design trends currently shaping our built environment.
Read MoreIn the heart of the arid Jordanian desert lies a breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage site known as Petra, often referred to as the "Rose City." Its iconic rock-cut architecture and intricate carvings evoke a sense of wonder and amazement. Yet, beyond its artistic and historical significance, Petra also stands as a remarkable example of how ancient civilizations mastered the art of water preservation and sustainability in an unforgiving environment.
Read MoreFraming. It is the infrastructure, the skeleton, or the bones, of most residential and low rise construction in the United States, and it has been made of wood for a long long time. An exhibit currently at the Palm Springs Art Museum's Architecture and Design Center examines what the curator's refer to as "one of the country's most overlooked yet common construction systems." They refer to framing as "underappreciated."
Read MoreIf there were an election, I would vote for birds as Earth Day’s mascot. We have food because birds are pollinators and seed spreaders, we are not entirely overrun by insects because birds are predators, the forest and the fields are clean because birds are scavengers, and music fills the air because birds are musicians. Birds are amazing creatures we should be enjoying more and protecting better. To do this we need to be encouraging bird-friendly design.
Read MoreOur design team has proven that many materials that are non-combustible can be warm, inviting and still feel like home. We have made beautiful use of stucco, tempered glass, aluminum, steel, fire rated wood and native landscapes to create environments that are both fire-resistant and aesthetically stunning.
Read MoreLast week we discussed making fire resistant building envelopes.
This week we share a few things that involve the home surroundings.
Building for fire resistance is about safeguarding your home and buying time. Time to gather loved ones and pets, time to get out of the space and to safety, and time for firefighters to respond and protect our homes and businesses. The following are key for structures to remain standing, and at a minimum, hold together for hours rather than minutes during a fire. In the next 4 weeks we will share with you some of the things that must be considered when designing a new home. Some of the items shared can also be done to retrofit an existing home and grounds.
Read MoreWhat inspires one to become an architect? Ask Abeer Sweis, and she’ll tell you about a time when she was nine years old. On a Sunday afternoon drive with her family through the countryside of her native Amman, Jordan, she noticed a building unlike anything she’d ever seen. Set into the side of a hill with nothing but a glass front looking out at the world, it seemed as though the roof was built into the hill and nature had been undisturbed—as if it were meant to be and belonged.
Read MoreThe scarcity of water in California and many other regions around the world is a serious issue. We have all heard of ways that we can change our daily habits to save water and while we can certainly implement all of those, there are many other things that can be done beyond our waterwise behavior.
Read MoreLast night the Kiwanis Club of Santa Monica held our 73rd Annual Music Awards Ceremony at the Santa Monica Bay Women’s Club.
Awards were presented to 28 incredibly talented music students for various categories from the Santa Monica middle school and high school choruses, bands, and orchestras. The first-place recipients from each division and instrument category then performed for the audience.
Read More![Designing with Wellness in [Body and] Mind – Natural Materials](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8f52b99d5abb5d34bb70d3/53a98b0e-b9c6-4176-b95b-3fbd89cfcb72/image001-1.jpg)
