Set amidst a coastal oak grove in Sonoma, this modern residence provides a peaceful retreat for a family and their growing children. Selected for its trees and pond, the site offers a rural escape where the owners can connect with nature. SWA’s design integrates oak grassland, chaparral, and riparian planting over a clean, minimal hardscape. Native meadow grasses create comfortable walking paths that link key destinations across the landscape, including the meadow and pond. Two rows of field-grown Swan Hill olive trees frame the main house, flanking the garage and auto court, with an additional row along the pool and guest house for privacy. The design also includes an edible garden with a chicken coop, a pool with a diving rock, and a fire pit, with custom stonework directed by the landscape architect.
Maestria Residences
Only an hour away from Jakarta, the Maestria Residences provide a close connection to nature without sacrificing a close sense of community. The neighborhood is designed as a vibrant hub of activity, an immersive destination, and a powerful economic engine rooted in environmental, social, and economic wellness. SWA’s master plan follows four key principles: ec...
Ping Yuen Public Housing Renovation
The San Francisco public housing projects known as “pings” are widely viewed as successful. Part of this success is a direct result of their ties with the wider Chinatown community: they are comparatively low-crime, and their tenants are well-organized. Composed of four buildings with 434 units, 2,000+ residents, and five acres of landscape, the Pings are a pa...
Zobon City Villas
SWA provided landscape architectural services for this residential condominium site in Shanghai. The open space layout is comprised of three gardens, each creating a unique environment for the tenants. The Huangpu Abstraction garden is the public face of the project and is expressed with a 2.5m tall stacked glass fountain. The Sky Garden is the center piece of...
Revisiting SunCity Kashiwa
Elderly residents at SunCity Kashiwa are no longer at a loss for dinner conversation: an underutilized terrace outside their extensive ground-level common spaces now features a dramatic pond and mountain-inspired rock formation with multiple cascading waterfalls. Everyone wants a window seat. The striking water feature crowns a new four-season view garden desi...