SWA

In the sprawling flatlands of Northwest Houston, stormwater has few natural outlets. Once, the region's coastal prairies and marshes absorbed and slowed seasonal floods like a sponge, but today, much of that landscape is regularly inundated during downpours. To help buffer stormwater, the 22-acre Chrysalis Lake and a broader system of linear lakes, bioswales, and wet meadows were woven across the Bridgeland community by SWA, blending flood protection with everyday amenity spaces. Cleaning, storing, and recirculating more than 30 million gallons of stormwater annually, the system doubles as keystone habitat for aquatic species, birds, and pollinators. As water moves through dense grasses, soils, and root systems, pollutants are filtered before entering the central lake. Guided by low-impact, low-maintenance design principles, SWA’s plan also prioritizes recreational value, leading residents along perimeter paths, boardwalks, and overlooks punctuated with educational signage, and connecting into Bridgeland’s larger 250-mile trail network. The first phase of Prairieland Village alone—where Chrysalis Lake is located—features over 6 acres of bioswales, 5 acres of pollinator habitat, 7 acres of introduced forest, 7 acres of bottomland meadow, and a mile-long green street.

This summer, Hunter’s Point South Park received one of the highest honors in the A/E and real estate industries: an Urban Land Institute Award of Excellence. On September 24 from 1–2 PM EST, join us for a deep dive into the making of this signature NYC waterfront park in a webinar on community wellness and engagement moderated by Kacey Cordes, Vice President and Director of Operations at U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance. Link below. Registration is complimentary for ULI members. https://lnkd.in/ehA3mbdu

We’re hiring!  📥 With eight studios across the U.S. and China, SWA has designed culturally defining landscapes across the globe since 1957—shaping the future of cities, environments, and infrastructure at all scales. As a 100% employee-owned business, we also have some of the best benefits in the industry. Swipe through for a few open roles in our U.S. studios, plus rolling applications. Please review the applications in detail and apply via our website: www.swagroup.com/careers No DMs please. ▪️ Entry-level Landscape Designer 📍 San Francisco https://lnkd.in/eZWUTAb3 ▪️ Mid-level Landscape Designer 📍 San Francisco https://lnkd.in/ebcejkpF ▪️ Mid-level Landscape Architect 📍 New York (SWA/Balsley) https://lnkd.in/eAJCz242 ▪️ Construction Administration/Site Observation/Field Specialists in Landscape Architecture 📍 Dallas https://lnkd.in/ec_RJRxb 📍 Houston https://lnkd.in/eEjFkk_m 📍 Sausalito https://lnkd.in/em92DSU2 ▪️ Rolling Applications: Entry-level Landscape Designers 📍 U.S. Studios (Dallas, Houston, Laguna Beach, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Sausalito) https://lnkd.in/ejPQgvZ5 ▪️ Rolling Applications: Intern Landscape Designers 📍 U.S. Studios (Dallas, Houston, Laguna Beach, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Sausalito) https://lnkd.in/eaFqhTm9

Neighboring the Burj Khalifa, the Address Sky View cuts an 853-foot profile against the Dubai skyline—both collaborations between Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) and SWA. Comprising two 56-story towers linked by a cantilevered skybridge, the development required a landscape that moves seamlessly across vertical thresholds. Referencing the sand rings found east of the city, the façades, loading area, and on-structure terraces are all defined by curvilinear forms evocative of shifting dunes. At ground level, concentric paving, palm groves, and cascading fountains guide guests through an entry sequence. On the sky bridge, an oblong infinity pool creates the impression of suspended swimming in the sky, framing 360° views of the city above the cloudline. Throughout, the planting prioritizes hardiness, favoring date palms, native grasses, and adapted species that provide structure without compromising water efficiency. Address Sky View received a Four-Star Award from Forbes Travel Guide and was nominated for the Middle East’s Leading Hotel in the World Travel Awards. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eU7nt8_x

On the southeastern coast of Hainan Island, the Sanya EDITION forgoes a conventional resort pool for a 4-acre saltwater lagoon filled daily by the South China Sea. Designed to buffer guests from rough surf and unpredictable tides, the lagoon creates a controlled setting for swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding, while offering direct access to a waterfront of preserved dunes and thinned groves of Australian pine and coconut palm. SWA’s competition-winning approach was inspired by the convergence of river deltas with the sea, giving shape to villa gardens, swimming pools, and fountains, including a dramatic cascade in the hotel lobby that frames ocean views. Throughout the 52-acre grounds, local species were preserved where possible, and revegetation strategies replaced ornamental species with naturalized ones along the fragile dune ecosystem. Sea almond, jacaranda, and frangipani provide canopy and understory; cascades of hibiscus and seasonal color soften walls and paths. Since its 2016 opening, this Ian Schrager–helmed property has earned a Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Award, Best in Show at the Hospitality Design Awards, and recognition as Hainan’s leading hotel every year since 2020. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eU7nt8_x

Japan has one of the oldest populations in the world, with more than a third of its citizens over 65.  Responding to a growing demand for senior housing that supports dignity, social connection, and active lifestyles, Park Wellstate, a division of Mitsui Fudosan, opened a flagship property in Tokyo’s Nishi-Azabu district—their fourth residence since launching in 2017, and SWA’s second collaboration with the brand. Set atop a hill once home to Edo-era samurai villas and later to prominent Meiji- and Taisho-era families, the site is enveloped in 2,200 square meters of private gardens, threading biophilic design from the ground plane through a 36-floor, 421-unit tower overlooking Minato City. Courtyard massing maximizes sunlight while sheltering a central garden from city noise, creating habitat for migratory birds and a restorative refuge for residents. Stone-lined paths under sakura and evergreens lead to a tea pavilion and seating terraces overlooking a raised pool—an expression of ‘seisui,’ the Japanese ideal of lush greenery and water as markers of seasonal change. Rectilinear structures, furnishings, and pavers contrast with the organic forms of paths and planting beds that flow alongside the pool, including smaller areas for individual reflection and larger terraces for group activities and socialization. Altogether, the site boasts a 50% open space ratio and over 260 trees, located just a 13-minute walk from three Tokyo Metro stations. On clear days, Mount Fuji is clearly visible on the western horizon. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gfpDHbsG

Across China, many commercial centers are being reimagined for a younger generation—blending retail with culture, play, and public space. In Zhengzhou’s fast-growing tech district, Zhenghong Grand Plaza exemplifies this shift with a 9-acre landscape surrounding an RTKL-designed mixed-use complex. Sinuous paving bands lead to rainwater-fed water features, an 800-seat sunken amphitheater shaded by terraced plantings, China’s first outdoor steel-wood composite skatepark, and public art curated by Spanish artist Okuda San Miguel.

Nearly four decades ago, SWA's early hospitality work asked an important question: what if landscapes for hotels and resorts weren't purely decorative? What if they could restore habitats, manage stormwater, contribute to local artisan economies, and capture the ecological character of each place? Today, that ethos meets new realities. As the tourism and wellness industries evolve into multi-trillion-dollar global markets and climate change presents new challenges, landscape architects are called on to do more—buffer coasts from rising seas, cool dense urban blocks, bring color and vitality to arid settings—all while creating memorable guest experiences. In the coming week, we'll highlight projects across SWA's global hospitality portfolio that responds to these issues in distinct, tailored ways. Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/eU7nt8_x

"People aren't moving to cities today to inhabit their urban cores. They're moving to metro areas to compete for space along the sprawling edges of these larger metropolitan areas... these edges create these increasingly massive zones of conflict between the built environment and landscape systems." Libo and I sat down with Jonah Susskind, landscape urbanist and Director of Climate Strategy at SWA on the Most Podern Podcast. Jonah argues the design community has been ignoring where 80% of Americans actually live and where so many of our modern challenges are manifesting. In particular, we discuss how wildfire is no longer a natural disaster, but rather a consequence of how we've suburbanized. Recent fires—Paradise, LA, Maui—followed the same script. Bad suburban planning created the conditions. Lives were lost because of design choices made decades ago. But Jonah's not just doom and gloom. The suburbs are sprawling and imperfect, but that's exactly why there's room to do better. 🎧 Listen to the full episode and let us know: How can design increasingly address wildfire risk? Link in comments.

Today in The Architect's Newspaper: Developed by Westbank Corp, Butterfly—a new Revery Architecture Inc.-designed tower—is now the third-tallest building in Vancouver. Rising 57 stories above the West End, the project preserves a Gothic Revival-style church in place, vertically extending its community-oriented mission into an affordable housing block, expanded public services, and two street-level civic spaces designed by SWA. https://lnkd.in/eJfVztJk