How SweisKloss achieves the perfect balance between thoughtful design and quality construction
Described as integrating the elements of design and construction, beauty and functionality, and indoors and outdoors, SweisKloss is a full-service, boutique design and construction firm based in Santa Monica, California. Offering a holistic approach to design and construction, SweisKloss carefully examines every step of the process, aligning with clients to create singular spaces that nurture body and soul.
Headed up by Founder and Design Partner Abeer Sweis and her husband, Jeff Kloss, SweisKloss is a WBENC-certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE), as well as a Santa Monica Certified Green Business and a Phius Certified Builder. Abeer joins us to elaborate on the company’s growth and recent projects, as well as her ambitions for SweisKloss moving forward.
“I started SweisKloss back in 1998, originally as an architectural firm,” she begins. “We grew fairly quickly and had an established team of six employees within the first two years. At the time, I was teaching an interior design program nearby and we started to offer interior design services by hiring talent from the course. Around 2006, my husband came on board, as he was looking for a new role and I’d always dreamed of running our own design-build firm. We tested working together for a couple of years, and then officially formed a design and construction company.
“We’re constantly exploring new ideas, materials, and methods to continuously improve our processes from both a quality and efficiency perspective,” she explains. “Our client relationships have been built on mutual trust from the very beginning, and clients have confidence in us to do the right thing. From an operational standpoint, the architectural and construction divisions share both knowledge and resources such as people and an office. By working with us, clients don’t have to liaise with several parties throughout the project, but can instead rest assured that we’ll take care of everything right up until they move in. Having a shared office enables greater communication between the architect and the builder, which helps to reduce change orders and ensures things run smoothly on-site. This communication is particularly valuable, as when questions come up we can simply have conversations in-house to find the best solutions.”
Safety and sustainability
Turning to projects, Abeer continues: “We work on custom homes in all kinds of styles, but I don’t use the word ‘style’ because our aim isn’t about trends, but rather contextual to the property, the client, and their lifestyle. If I had to choose, I’d say my favorite homes are modern and contemporary with a warm and inviting feel. As we work in California, we also work on a lot of Spanish homes, and we also offer renovations and remodels aside from custom homes.
“We’re currently working hard to finish a fantastic home in Santa Monica before Christmas. It’s a two-story custom home and the owner wanted to try many new materials, so there are a lot of different textures, colors, and natural materials. The overall atmosphere is warm but moody, and we also incorporated a lot of sustainable materials and practices where possible. We installed a grey water system, for instance, that filters and reuses wastewater from the home to flush toilets and for landscaping. There are other cool features like thermal heated floors and a bespoke stainless-steel pool slide from the UK.”
It’s clear that SweisKloss genuinely cares about building quality homes, as well as incorporating both safety and sustainability. “We encourage the use of sustainable materials and practices where possible to create a healthy environment for the clients and their families,” Abeer states. “I always inform clients that I make some decisions on their behalf from both a quality and sustainability perspective, such as using the best insulation and sealing all joints. 
“In terms of fire safety, we often start thinking about plans and processes early, such as the design and orientation of the home depending on its location and plot. We once worked on a large property with enough space to build an eight-foot retaining wall, using naturally fire-resistant materials, to act as a fire break. I’m always staying ahead and learning about the latest trends and innovations in fire-safe homebuilding and conducting research on the best materials to use. We’re currently trialing the concept of secondary sprinkler systems, for example, installing new spray systems that cover a nine-foot radius surrounding the house.”
Passion and commitment
From speaking with Abeer, it’s clear to see the genuine passion and commitment behind SweisKloss, and by championing the values of strong communication and design functionality, the business will continue to build safe and sustainable homes across California. However, as our conversation draws to a close, Abeer shares some interesting ambitions for the future.
“All of our homes so far are custom homes, and I’d love to venture into the world of spec homes within my lifetime,” she says. “I have a vision to create a sister brand, SK Homes, that meets demand for well-built, beautiful, sustainable, and healthy homes across Southern California. I’m gradually exploring this market; I’ve got some investors lined up and made a few offers on property, but it was difficult to go any further in the process when severe fires hit the area and displaced people earlier this year.”
Back to how the business currently stands, Abeer concludes: “We have three ground-up builds starting next year, as well as a major home beginning in July, which will be a significant and complicated project for us as we’re extending the home by adding a basement. We also have plenty of renovations and remodels planned in 2026 and we’re anticipating working on many rebuild projects as people return to the area.”