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"Modernism, Innovation, and Tradition meaningfully Come Together in Our Work"
Widely recognized as among the contemporary virtuosos of modern architecture and design, SWATT+PARTNERS masterfully orchestrates a symphony of architecture and topography within its wide-ranging body of work. The studio's portfolio, which includes more than 200 luxury residences and estates across California, Hawaii, Canada, India, and Spain is unique in its focus on structures that poetically embrace the land on which they sit, often seeming as though they were always there.
Moss Rock: Supported by two cast-in-place concrete core elements, the new structure is a crisp wood-framed glass box that hovers just above the flat portion while it soars above the down-sloping topography on the south-west corner of the building.
Photo credit: Jason Liske
Kojima House: The interior design by Momo Wong Design features an understated palette which complements the architecture.
Photo credit: Nils Timm
Kojima House: Materials such as wood, concrete, glass and travertine are composed to create an elegantly modern aesthetic.
Photo credit: Nils Timm
SWATT+PARTNERS' one-of-a-kind commissions can be described as hand-crafted from start to finish: At the onset, a 3-D computer modeling study provides unparalleled information about architecture and its relationship to a site. The 3-D computer modeling process is then translated into physical design study models—a design tool which borrows from the sculptural tradition. The scale and complexity of the studio's work means that the construction period can be lengthy, and intensely collaborative among the studio, client, builder, and the rest of the project team.
Kojima House: Floor-to-ceiling glass walls invitingly connect interior spaces to the outdoors.
Photo credit: Nils Timm
Kojima House: Like the main structure, the pool and adjacent pool house are surrounded by lawns, gardens and nature.
Photo credit: Nils Timm
Kojima House: A koi pond adds a welcoming touch to the entry.
Photo credit: Nils Timm
The studio's characteristically expansive architectural volumes are thoughtfully "knitted into the land," as Swatt sees it. Whether the setting is a European cliffside or the lush wine country, the result is architecture that feels embodied by and reflective of the surrounding landscape. This is most evident in three of the firm’s most recent projects, including:
Kojima House
The team melded influences from the American Midwest, as well as East and Southeast Asia, with mid-century modern architectural iconography dialogs to transform this residence situated amongst a lush, Northern California valley, surrounded by bay and mountain views.
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- Kojima House: The existing 1950s home was renovated and expanded to include two volumes which contain delineate shared areas and private spaces. Photo credit: Nils Timm
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- Kojima House: The mature landscape offers privacy, while connecting architecture to nature. Photo credit: Nils Timm
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- Kojima House: In the living room, the serene atmosphere is enhanced by contemporary furnishings in neutral tones. Photo credit: Nils Timm
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- Kojima House: The luxuriously fitted primary bedroom overlooks relaxing nature views. Photo credit: Nils Timm
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- Kojima House: To reflect the influence of the 20 years that the homeowners spend in Japan and Singapore, Asian touches, such as this master bathroom screen, are deftly incorporated. Photo credit: Nils Timm
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- Kojima House: The setting is a clearing on a 1.5-acre site in Kentfield, California. Among the site’s surrounding views is the Kent-Woodlands valley to the south, and Marin Hills, a mountain range which includes the highest peak in Marin County, Mount Tamalpais. Photo credit: Nils Timm
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- Kojima House: The project team for this 6,500 addition to an existing home was led by Swatt + Partners (architects), and also includes, Kasten Builders, Huettl Landscape Architecture, Provest Structural Engineering, Philip Neumann Energy Design, Momo Wong Design, and Kim Cladas (Lighting Designer). Photo credit: Nils Timm
Moss Rock
Taking their inspiration from a rocky ridge overlooking an undulating wine region, the team created strikingly minimalist architectural forms for this home office that is surrounded by untamed nature, and refined, man-made landscapes.
Moss Rock: Ground Studio Landscape Architecture’s rigorous design pairs seamlessly with nature and the beautiful simplicity of Swatt + Partners’ architecture to exquisite effect. The rest of the project team includes Jamba Construction and Yu Structural Engineers.
Photo credit: Jason Liske
Moss Rock: Nature is reflected in the pool which is the centerpiece of the garden.
Photo credit: Jason Liske
Moss Rock: The structure was designed for net-zero energy consumption and is off-the-grid.
Photo credit: Jason Liske
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- Moss Rock: Supported by two cast-in-place concrete core elements, the structure features floor-to-ceiling glass walls from Quantum Window. Photo credit: Jason Liske
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- Moss Rock: Concrete vertical elements punctuate floor-to-ceiling glass walls. The materials palette—consisting of concrete, steel, glass and wood—comes together simply but expressively, creating a “warm modern” aesthetic for which Swatt + Partners is sought after. Photo credit: Jason Liske
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- Moss Rock: This accessory building and studio also functions as a home office. The floor and roof planes are clad in Western Red Cedar horizontal boards. Photo credit: Jason Liske
Casa Athena
Consisting of a new home and two levels of an adjacent four-story apartment building, the team designed this residence to sit atop a steep cliff and purposefully connect blue sky to the deep sea.
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- Casa Athena: For this elegant hallway, Swatt+Partners created a movable wall that hides portions of the built-in library from view. Photo credit: Jose Hevia
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- Casa Athena: Breathtaking views of the ocean and nearby island can be enjoyed from the master bedroom suite and bath on the upper level, as well as from the kitchen, dining and living spaces on the lower level. Photo credit: Jose Hevia
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- Casa Athena: The narrow and relatively flat site is bordered by a four-story apartment building on the west; a heavily wooded agricultural preserve on the east. Photo credit: Jose Hevia
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- Casa Athena: Located on the top of a steep cliff in the Balearic Islands, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, this residence consists of the design of a new main house, and two levels of an adjacent four-story apartment building. Photo credit: Jose Hevia
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- Casa Athena: The entrance is approached from a long, open covered walkway that runs parallel to the landscaped entry courtyard. Photo credit: Jose Hevia
Despite the analogousness to large-scale sculpture of many of SWATT+PARTNERS' work, Swatt considers the studio's work "comfortably livable." He emphasizes that it is the human activity of the people dwelling within these spaces that will, over time, give the studio's work the beautiful patina of structures that are not only well-lived in, but which stand the test of time.
SWATT+PARTNERS
SWATT+PARTNERS is an award-winning architectural firm with a special focus on creating unique, one-of-a-kind custom homes, carefully tailored to their sites and to the dreams of the families they design for. Robert Swatt, FAIA, with partners Miya Muraki, AIA, and Phoebe Wong-Oliveros, AIA, along with a talented team of architects and designers, bring a wide range of experience to SWATT+PARTNERS. With dedication to their clients, they provide the highest levels of design and management for each project.
