Company Profile
SWA Los Angeles
Company Overview
SWA is a landscape architecture, urban design and planning firm, with a network of seven studios worldwide.
We partner with clients to create vibrant places that are at once ecologically resilient, aesthetically compelling and socially beneficial.
Landscape architecture at SWA involves the design of landscapes at a variety of scales—from large, multi-functional sites to small, intimate spaces. Innovative research into materials, lifestyles and landscape technologies coupled with a deep understanding of how people use outdoor spaces informs our unique design process. SWA’s landscape architectural work has received worldwide recognition for its innovative excellence,
SWA provides land planning and master planning. We integrate high-level landscape architecture into our planning work. Our plans make sensitive use of topography, landform, natural resources, vegetation, infrastructure and buildings, resulting in more livable and sustainable projects. This approach can nurture new directions for the master planning of communities, campuses, workplaces, civic and commercial districts, transit-oriented developments, waterfronts, recreation, and natural system restoration. As needed, we pull together teams of consultants ranging from engineers to scientists whose collective experience complements our own. SWA’s award-winning planning work is recognized for creating exceptional places.
Urban design at SWA involves the systematic layering of various cultural and natural systems in order to solve design issues of the city. As with planning, we integrate high-level landscape architecture into our urban design work. Whether it’s decaying infrastructure, a prominent urban district, high-density living, a river corridor, heavily used public spaces, or a series of transit stations, urban design requires a sophisticated understanding of integrating nature into dense urban environments. The multi-functional character of urban design is the key to its success. SWA excels in this regard and our success can be measured by the quality of our implemented projects around the world.
Company History
As world leaders in landscape architecture, planning, and urban design, our purpose and passion spans over 60 years. We see landscape as part of the infrastructure of great cities: as critical as a freeway or electrical grid. When viewed through this lens, systems that can transform our communities emerge. SWA’s rigorous process of engaging with a site on its own terms results in memorable places that have clarity of function, identity, and meaning.
Benefits
401K Retirement
You are eligible to enroll in SWA Group’s Retirement Savings Plan (401k) with Vanguard after 6 months of service
or 1000 hours in the plan year, July 1-June 30. The 401k plan allows employees to contribute money from each paycheck on a pre-tax basis. SWA Group matches up to 4 % of your annual salary. Employees are immediately vested 100% upon enrollment of the
program.
Profit Sharing Retirement
SWA makes contributions into a tax-deferred investment account with Vanguard on the employee’s behalf. The
contributions are based on the profitability of the company and are discretionary.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
Discretionary contributions are made each year into an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) account for each
employee. SWA Group’s target contribution is 10% of an employee’s total compensation. Vesting for this plan
takes place over 6 years. This is called step-vesting. After year 2 the employee is 20% vested. Meaning if they
left SWA after that time they would own 20% of the ESOP. After 3 years is 40%, after 4 years 60%, 5 years 80%,
and at 6 years 100%. Each plan year is based on SWA’s Fiscal year, July 1-June 30, SWA Employee’s must have at least 1000 hours, to be eligible for the contributions to their Profit Sharing and ESOP Accounts.