Gotham West is a residential development west of Times Square that nearly encompasses a full city block. The space between two mid-rise buildings and a market-rate tower forms a signature courtyard accessed from the tower’s lobby. A sculptural Japanese maple, floating within a reflecting pool, serves as a focal feature. Other courtyard elements include illuminated resin benches, a bamboo grove, seating nooks under ribbed trellises, a social terrace and a berm planted with pines and cherry trees. The courtyard is softened by plant materials and organized by a series of striated gardens. The lines of these gardens respond to the club room geometry, which implies the courtyard as an extension of the club room. Above the club room roof is a private lounge deck that is surrounded by bamboo and flowering shrubs where club members can look over the courtyard. A “sky terrace” on the tower’s 31st floor extends the view from a lounge toward the skyline. A stone path extends from the lounge out into the terrace as a central spine from which various spaces can be accessed, such as an entertainment deck and bar, lawn panel, and lounge sun terrace. An iconic white illuminated resin wall helps divide the terrace uses and provides a sense of privacy between the two main lounging spaces. A water wall and misting station on axis with the central spine terminate the central terrace walk.
Larkspur Courts
SWA was hired to help reclaim an abandoned quarry into an attractive residential village. The program called for 256du on 12.5 net acres, a density of 2.5 du/acre. The City of Larkspur required that 97 of the total units be family units. They defined family units as residences with two or more bedrooms and located not more than one level above grade. The City ...
Stanford West Apartments
SWA placed a special emphasis on maintaining the riparian corridor with native planting, using consideration when dealing with the archaeologically sensitive areas of the site, as well as existing recreation trails and landscape amenities such as parks and play areas. The internal street grid and architectural and landscape elements are designed to recall the ...
Stanford Toyon Hall
Toyon Hall, a significant historic building originally designed by Bakewell and Brown Architects in 1922, is a three-story structure centered around a magnificent formal courtyard with arcades and arches. The purpose of the project was to preserve, maintain and enhance the building and site. SWA scope of work included evaluation of existing site conditions and...
Hicks Mountain Ranch
Hicks Mountain Ranch is a 900-acre sustainable ranching operation in West Marin County. The watershed, which includes grassland, wetland, and riparian habitats had been impacted by decades of grazing. In addition to developing a home on the property, plans were instituted to restore the ecosystem and mitigate the impacts of development. In addition to undertak...



