Welcome. We are an architecture and interiors studio that believes in the power of thoughtful design to better connect us to the built environment, the landscape, and each other. Our process is equal parts creativity and pragmatism –so that our work draws out the strongest potential of any site, the resources at hand, and ultimately, the experience of our clients. Design is both a process and an adventure; we see ourselves as both your partner and guide. We look forward to hearing from you.

A Mourning Dovecote:
Nesting boxes for cooing Mourning Doves make a workspace feel like home>

A traditional country ‘dovecote’ houses pigeons or doves, sometimes freestanding but often built into the ends of houses or barns. The Mourning Dove, one of the most widespread of all North American birds, is typically monogamous and is a prolific breeder, raising up to six broods a year. Both sexes take turn incubating, the male from morning to afternoon, and the female the rest of the day and night. Their soft, drawn-out calls sound like laments.

Work ^ In The Landscape
Onomatopoeic Space: I Make My Own Name:
A poetic device becomes an architectural one>

Some words take shape directly from the expressiveness of the sounds they name –WHAM! POW! SPLAT! Poets often use these onomatopoeic words to engage us with the images they hope to create in our mind’s eye. This idea –that the construction of a word could be intimately tied to the image it evokes– made us wonder if there might be a corollary in architecture. In other words, a kind of space directly formed by the artistic impulses it houses –a space in which art, artist, community, and environment are as expressive as the words BAM! BANG! BOOM! –an Onomatopoeic Space.

Work ^ In The Grid
Dovecote Details:
A personal space inspires bespoke details>

This highly personal and customized project by the architect-owner became a site for exploration and play. We followed every intuition about details that might contribute to the space, hoping to stay just this side of ‘too-much.’ What unites the disparate details of this addition is a sense of movement, craft, and nature.

Work ^ In The Studio
Lulu Wang:
Designer

Lulu, aka Ziyun, completed her Master of Architecture at the California College of the Arts in 2022 where she was honored with multiple Jury prizes for design. In addition, her thesis work –OXYTOCIN: A Continuum of Maternal Health Care– received the top thesis award. Lulu joined S^A shortly after graduation. Before CCA, Lulu completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts at the Kansas City Art Institute, focusing on graphic design, illustration, and photography work –all disciplines which contribute to her architecture work and interests. Lulu is a long way from her home in China, where her parents live alongside her self-described ’baby sister’ Lexi –a sweet golden Labrador who enjoys any and all snacks.

Practice ^ Team
The paradox house is almost there !! Architect - S^A | Schwartz and Architecture Contractor - @dkg_construction Landscape - @arterralandscapearchitects #modernhome #moderndesign #modernarchitecture #customhome #bayarea #bayareahomes #architecturedesign #modernhouses #architecturephotography #moodboard #photooftheday #design #designinspiration #view #design_only #architect #exterior #californiahomes #indooroutdoorliving #material #homedesign #homedesignideas #woodconstruction #underconstruction
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