Happy Valley Residence: The site for this new 10,800 square foot home is a prized 2.3 acre level parcel, bordered by a year-round creek The plan is a simple “H” shape with an entry courtyard on the north side and a large covered lanai on the south side. Photo credit: Russell Abraham
Happy Valley Residence: The site for this new 10,800 square foot home is a prized 2.3 acre level parcel, bordered by a year-round creek The plan is a simple “H” shape with an entry courtyard on the north side and a large covered lanai on the south side. Photo credit: Russell Abraham

Elegantly Crafted Custom Homes Blending Form, Space and Nature

Bay Area firm Swatt Miers Architects (SMA) is highly regarded for creating timeless designs that celebrate the natural environment. Their unique approach blends the iconic mid-20th century architectural styles of Los Angeles and Palm Springs with the Third Bay Area Tradition, exemplified by the likes of Sea Ranch, a planned community located along the Pacific Coast in Northern California. To date, the studio’s portfolio includes more than 200 new-build luxury residences and speciality-use residential structures across California, Hawaii, Canada, India, and Spain.

Co-founded by Robert Swatt, FAIA, and George Miers, AIA, the studio’s design philosophy is encapsulated in the concept of “warm modern.” Rooted in Swatt’s upbringing in Los Angeles and education at the University of California, Berkeley, this aesthetic draws inspiration from early California modern pioneers, including the influential architect and educator Ray Kappe (1927-2019), a co-founder of the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc).

Swatt’s vision for SMA includes fundamental principles of modern architecture, ensuring that projects are seamlessly integrated with the natural landscape. Their designs prioritize an inside-out approach, fostering horizontal and vertical connectivity that merges both visual and physical forms, uniting the interior and exterior spaces. This commitment to design excellence defines SMA’s ethos and sets them apart in the world of architectural innovation.

“We approach projects with a curious mind, and bring thoughtfulness and consistency to our designs,” he explains. “It takes work to create a structure that is resonant in its simplicity and feels right.”

“Our philosophy is akin to jazz music,” adds Texas-born and San Francisco-raised George Miers, who studied under acclaimed post-modernists Charles Moore and Ricardo Legoretta, and the classicist Dolf Schnebli. In recent years, Miers has pioneered companion animal facilities, a project type which complements SMA’s residential work. “Our rigorous approach, commitment to consistency, and innovative thinking make us versatile designers who are in tune with our buildings’ occupants.”

Evident in the following custom residences is SMA’s deftness in shaping expansive architectural volumes for a human scale environment with transcendent sensitivity.

Happy Valley Residence

Happy Valley Residence: The site for this new 10,800 square foot home is a prized 2.3 acre level parcel, bordered by a year-round creek The plan is a simple “H” shape with an entry courtyard on the north side and a large covered lanai on the south side.
Photo credit: Russell Abraham
Happy Valley Residence: The site for this new 10,800 square foot home is a prized 2.3 acre level parcel, bordered by a year-round creek The plan is a simple “H” shape with an entry courtyard on the north side and a large covered lanai on the south side. Photo credit: Russell Abraham
Happy Valley Residence: Located in the center of the "H" shape, this grand two-story great room opens directly to the kitchen and family areas on the east side of the “H” and the home office and guest suite on the opposite side. Both wings are connected by a beautiful bridge that overlooks the great room.
Photo credit: Russell Abraham
Happy Valley Residence: Located in the center of the “H” shape, this grand two-story great room opens directly to the kitchen and family areas on the east side of the “H” and the home office and guest suite on the opposite side. Both wings are connected by a beautiful bridge that overlooks the great room. Photo credit: Russell Abraham
Happy Valley Residence: Furniture was sourced from Minotti, Poliform, HR, DWR and BluDot. Wall coverings were sourced from Minted Wallpaper and Livette's Wallpaper,
Photo credit: Russell Abraham
Happy Valley Residence: Furniture was sourced from Minotti, Poliform, HR, DWR and BluDot. Wall coverings were sourced from Minted Wallpaper and Livette’s Wallpaper, Photo credit: Russell Abraham

Located on a 2.3-acre parcel bordered by a year-round creek, this 10,800-square-foot structure sits on the footprint of the previous one; this key design strategy preserves the mature landscaping.

Owyang House

Owyang House: The entry sequence to this new, two-story residence is a study in expansion and compression: The pathway, flanked by a long, linear infinity-edge water feature, opens to the sky, while a long, low steel canopy compresses the exterior entrance space and focuses attention on the dramatically hued entry door.
Photo credit: Tim Griffith
Owyang House: The entry sequence to this new, two-story residence is a study in expansion and compression: The pathway, flanked by a long, linear infinity-edge water feature, opens to the sky, while a long, low steel canopy compresses the exterior entrance space and focuses attention on the dramatically hued entry door. Photo credit: Tim Griffith
Owyang House: The project team for this 6,000 SF residence included Swatt Miers Architects, Denis Matson (Contractor), Thuilot Associates (Landscape), Provest Structural Engineering and Kim Cladas (Lighting Designer).
Owyang House: Accessed through new and carefully choreographed landscape paths and gardens, and relaxing outdoor areas, the new interior spaces feature an abundance of natural light. Photo credit: Tim Griffith
Owyang House: Walls of glass connect the interior spaces to the beautiful new gardens.
Photo credit: Tim Griffith
Owyang House: Walls of glass connect the interior spaces to the beautiful new gardens. Photo credit: Tim Griffith

Light, nature, and water set the stage for this minimally sculptural new structure, which includes two stories and a full basement encompassing 6,000 square feet.


Drury Court Residence

Drury Court Residence: Architectural forms are sculpted into the hillside of the uniquely sited two-acre property high in the Oakland/Berkeley Hills. From its quiet, two-story eastern entrance facade and entry court, the residence unfolds into a bolder, three-story, sun-shaded western elevation, as the site slopes sharply to the west, offering stunning bay views, while abutting a regional park on the north and west side.
Photo credit: Russell Abraham
Drury Court Residence: Architectural forms are sculpted into the hillside of the uniquely sited two-acre property high in the Oakland/Berkeley Hills. From its quiet, two-story eastern entrance facade and entry court, the residence unfolds into a bolder, three-story, sun-shaded western elevation, as the site slopes sharply to the west, offering stunning bay views, while abutting a regional park on the north and west side. Photo credit: Russell Abraham
Drury Court Residence: The design is realized with simple, natural exterior materials, including cedar siding, board formed concrete, cement plaster with acrylic finish coat, and trellis shaded aluminum, high-performance glass windows and doors. The highly efficient electric heat pump system is supplemented by solar panels with battery backup.



The project team included Swatt Miers Architects, Ethan Allen Construction (Contractor), PROVEST Structural Engineering, Joe Huettl (Landscape), Kim Cladas (Lighting Design), and Philip Neumann Energy Design (Mechanical).

Photo credit: Russell Abraham
Drury Court Residence: The design is realized with simple, natural exterior materials, including cedar siding, board formed concrete, cement plaster with acrylic finish coat, and trellis shaded aluminum, high-performance glass windows and doors. The highly efficient electric heat pump system is supplemented by solar panels with battery backup. The project team included Swatt Miers Architects, Ethan Allen Construction (Contractor), PROVEST Structural Engineering, Joe Huettl (Landscape), Kim Cladas (Lighting Design), and Philip Neumann Energy Design (Mechanical). Photo credit: Russell Abraham

At this unique hillside setting with majestic Redwood trees, an abutting regional park, and stunning bay views, a new structure of 3 clear-span forms gracefully follow the sharply sloping site.

In realizing these one-of-a-kind modern homes, SMA has established itself as a sought-after creator of collectible architecture. In keeping with a sculptural tradition, the studio uses what Swatt describes as an “old school” design tool for almost all of its projects – physical design study models. Through the model-making process, SWA learns so much more about architecture than from 3-D computer modelling, which the studio also uses.

“We like to think of a Swatt Miers house as thoughtfully, luxuriously, and, sometimes, painstakingly hand-crafted, from concept to construction,” concludes Swatt.

Model Making: Swatt Miers Architects hand-builds models for its custom residential projects, and for special circumstances, co-founder Robert Swatt will build one himself.



Photo credit: Swatt Miers Architects
Model Making: Swatt Miers Architects hand-builds models for its custom residential projects, and for special circumstances, co-founder Robert Swatt will build one himself. Photo credit: Swatt Miers Architects

Moving forward the modernist traditions that have inspired them, Swatt Miers Architects (SMA) creates sculptural structures that are purposeful, well-functioning, and timeless. Formed as a merger of two esteemed firms with distinct and notable practices, SMA coalesces the strengths and shared values of its co-founders in the continuing pursuit of creative challenges. The firm’s work is grounded in engaged and thoughtful problem solving for private and public architecture, and a fierce commitment to clients.