Bishop’s Lodge Resort is a 66-acre parcel situated along valleys and ridges in the high New Mexican desert, four miles from downtown Santa Fe, known for its history, natural beauty, outdoor activities, and isolated location. The core of the resort is composed of a number of individual lodge-style buildings, along with the historically significant 150+-year-old Lamy Chapel. SWA’s renovation includes remodeling the resort’s buildings and the addition of 20 new units. The site is complex, consisting of ridges, valleys, floodplains, and thickets of natural vegetation.
Before renovation, this beloved destination had suffered the decline of its usable exterior spaces, failing hardscape, patchwork grading solutions, and numerous drainage issues. The renovation included preserving and maximizing native vegetated areas and linking exterior functional spaces to their surrounding context. New landscape also incorporates drought-resistant native species, reducing the resort’s need for irrigation – which is supplemented by water harvested from the roofs. Permeable pavement will be used for hardscape areas.
Grand Mansion Hotel
The Grand Mansion Hotel sits atop a historical museum on the site of a former palace, the ruins of which have been preserved and are now an extension of the main museum exhibit, with parts that can be seen across the street. The overall design concept was to reinterpret a traditional leisure garden featuring Japanese cherry, bamboo, and maple trees, and the gr...
Hyatt Gainey Ranch
The 28-acre site is part of an existing master planned resort community. The golf course and lake were existing. The owner wanted water gardens and had in mind tropical gardens with artificial rocks and rope bridges. The designers convinced the owner that a concept that recalled ancient South American themes was more appropriate for the desert. Lines of date p...
Hanwha Yangpyeong Resort
SWA won a master plan competition for this 900-hectare resort focused on the beauty of the forest and mountains, preserving and enhancing creeks, expanding trails, and experiencing nature. Five villages are proposed within five separate valleys, connected by a common trail system, ponds, and gondola. Existing hot springs will anchor a five-star, Korean-themed ...
La Cantera
Perched atop one of the highest points in San Antonio, this luxury resort was designed around its unique views of the city and its own golf course. SWA’s renovation of this striking hotel’s landscape included terracing down over 10 feet of the San Saba courtyard, expanding the resort’s many hospitality venues. Within San Saba, guests are invited to explo...