SWA provided full landscape architectural services for this mixed-use development, which includes a 120-room luxury hotel, five villa residences, a supporting office complex, fitness center, spa and multi-use space. The Sand Hill Hotel and associated offices are nestled onto a dramatic hillside that slopes toward the Santa Cruz Mountains immediately beyond I-280. that runs from Crystal Springs to Los Gatos, it has become an extension of that very California hilltop landscape. The existing native mix of valley oaks, coast live oaks, madrones, redwoods and olive trees extend onto and around the site perimeters, visually connecting it with the adjacent environment. Canary Island palms mark the grand hotel drop-off, and site-wide plantings include bright swaths of lavender, sage, or flowering indigenous perennials, with usable grass provided in the larger courtyards for multi-purpose activities and events. A large, central swimming pool and terrace and several ornamental fountains are located among the hotel townhouse and office courtyards, providing the refreshing sound of water.
Work attributed to SWA/Balsley principal John Wong and his team with SWA Group.
Lite-On Headquarters
This major Taiwanese electronics company chose the “Electronics Center” of Taipei overlooking the Gee Long River for their new headquarters. The overall concept is of a 25-story slender tower rising above a sloped landscape podium that covers much of the site. Below-grade parking slopes toward the river on one side, with the urban center on the oth...
250 West 55th
One Uptown
Bringing a singular landscape design expression to a site featuring two buildings designed by different architects, the SWA/Balsley team worked to seamlessly integrate a variety of outdoor spaces to accommodate the mixed-use One Uptown. At the ground level, tree-lined streetscapes and bike lanes lead visitors to a coworking and dining courtyard along Burnet Ro...
Pacific Design Center
Once surrounded by barren plazas and impenetrable landscapes, the Pacific Design Center’s environment and image have been dramatically transformed by a complete redesign that includes parks, plazas, water features, cafes, lighting, and graphics. A two-acre open space area along San Vicente Boulevard has been transformed into a public park and gathering space,...