--- title: "Robert Edson Swain Architecture and Design — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/robert-edson-swain-architecture-and-design-pfvwus-pf~1510928394 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1510928394.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Robert Edson Swain Architecture and Design" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/c173d44503e547a1_4315-w400-h400-b1-p10--.jpg address: "2300 West Commodore Way, Suite 201, Seattle, Washington 98199, United States" latitude: 47.6488 longitude: -122.3964 phone: "(206) 264-4306" website: http://bobswain.com rating: 5 review_count: 1 followers: 85 last_updated: 2026-08-14 --- # Robert Edson Swain Architecture and Design Original Houzz profile: [Robert Edson Swain Architecture and Design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/robert-edson-swain-architecture-and-design-pfvwus-pf~1510928394) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Seattle, WA - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (1 review) ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - 10,000 Ideabook Saves As a small focused design studio of creative individuals, we are able to work locally and globally in teams of highly qualified professionals. Robert Swain’s architecture + design has designed more than 300 projects, including private residences, institutions, commercial developments, and master site planning. Many of these projects have received regional and national awards. ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Robert Edson Swain Architecture and Design | | Address | 2300 West Commodore Way, Suite 201, Seattle, Washington 98199, United States | | Phone | (206) 264-4306 | | Website | http://bobswain.com | | Followers on Houzz | 85 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/robertedsonswain?ref=aymt\_homepage\_panel - Blog — http://bobswain.com/ ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Robert Edson Swain Architecture and Design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/robert-edson-swain-architecture-and-design-pfvwus-pf~1510928394) - **Website:** http://bobswain.com - **Phone:** (206) 264-4306 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - We are proud of our many awards, including: - 1st Place, Outstanding Grocery/Food Retailer, 28th Annual Retail Design Awards - 1st Place, Golden Trowel Award, Garden Design Magazine - Seattle’s 100 Design Award, Seattle Homes and Lifestyles magazine, Seattle Washington ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 1 review** ### All 1 review **★★★★★ — Pierce Design, July 2015** > Pierce Design has had the privilege to work with Bob Swain and his talented team of Architects and Designers for more than 15 years. Bob brings incredible energy and ideas to the table for each of his projects. His attention to every detail is second to none, and the ambition and aspirations he offer his clients is impressive. With so many of his clients returning for a second, third or fourth project, it's a testament to the successful execution he and his team deliver. Robert Edson Swain clients benefit from a wealth of knowledge built upon a deep project base from luxurious custom homes to whole city master plans in China, lush award winning gardens to Fortune 100 retail expierences. > > I wholeheartedly recommend RES, Inc. ## Selected projects - [Garden Pavilion](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/garden-pavilion-pj-vj~904831) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 13 - Description: Situated on the west slope of Queen Anne hill, this summer pavilion is more of a sculptural landscape element than a building. The design maximizes views of Puget Sound to the Southwest, while minimizing impact to the site and neighbors’ views. Solar-passive materials extend the enjoyment of this garden retreat well into the off season. - [Library/Theater](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/library-theater-pj-vj~1458246) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 7 - [Decatur Island Cabin](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/decatur-island-cabin-pj-vj~1263465) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 8 - Description: Situated on a remote island in the San Juan archipelago, this cabin is a pleasant retreat and folly within its wilderness setting. It offers a sense of seclusion and solitude in an old growth forest with an amazing view of Mt Baker. - [Hill Climb Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hill-climb-residence-pj-vj~983497) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 11 - Description: Located on the west side of Queen Anne hill in Seattle, this home responds to the stunning view towards the Olympic Mountain range across the Puget Sound. A sweeping ceiling plane rises to the west, where large windows and doors open up to the view and wash the interior in natural light. The lower level is directly adjacent to an access alley, with a rusted steel breezeway and storage area acting as a buffer for the home. - [Artisan's Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/artisan-s-kitchen-pj-vj~1149456) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 14 - Description: An extensive renovation breathes new life into this 1906 built home in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. Combined with the previously completed dance studio, this renewed home harmoniously frames a landscaped courtyard. Glassy, light-filled spaces now look out to a colorful garden, providing a tranquil retreat within the city. This spectacular shaping of creative spaces adds the perfect kitchen for a master baker, a studio for her love of dance, playful passageways for her two dogs, and open… - [Phinney Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/phinney-residence-pj-vj~919498) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 14 - Description: Seattle architect Robert Edson Swain renovated a small home in the Phinney Ridge neighborhood, turning the one-car garage into a master suite, and adding a lower level guest room and bar underneath the existing home. This urban residential lot has been transformed into an asian-inspired garden escape, where one forgets any sense of how close their neighbors really are. - [Meet the team](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/meet-the-team-pj-vj~1475958) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 3 - Description: In and industrial neighborhood in Seattle, among boat yards and manufacturers, is a small architecture firm with big ideas. Meet the team. - [Meydenbauer Bay Garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/meydenbauer-bay-garden-pj-vj~942169) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 13 - Description: The garden introduces new plantings and reduces paving to soften the existing courtyard. Pathways with herbs, flowers and a watercourse of cascade streams, fish ponds, and waterfalls offer a range of experiences from a playful entry to a reflective pause. The parking areas are physically scaled down to an efficient area and visually reduced with luxuriant plantings. It also acts as a patio for entertainment activities. Views are developed and controlled for neighborhood privacy and lake vista. - [Coastal Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/coastal-residence-pj-vj~905034) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 15 - Description: Situated on a coastal bluff—this Maury Island home has a remarkable setting—our design responds with appropriate exotic forms and frames each vista. Sweeping "waves" of monitors and clerestories capture abundant sunlight, achieving light-filled spaces. The vitality of each space abounds with refined native wood detailing and articulate metal elements. - [Capitol Hill Dance Studio](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/capitol-hill-dance-studio-pj-vj~922030) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 12 - Description: The spacious and light-filled studio “porch” performs as a dance studio and a gathering space for the community. Special effort is focused on integrating the new studio with the main house to create a complimentary structure with modern amenities while respecting the original character of the existing house, gardens and neighborhood. At each step of the planning and execution, we evaluate ways to conserve energy and develop sustainable solutions. - [Madison Park Landscape Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/madison-park-landscape-renovation-pj-vj~921050) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 13 - Description: The design transforms underutilized outdoor space into intimate courtyards, walking paths, and private reflective gardens for the pleasure, activities, and privacy of the client. Inviting gates, copper and concrete water features, bold street-front textures, stone walking paths, and shady sitting areas create rich transitions from street and alley to interior spaces. Coupled with a palette of Douglas fir, Katsura, Japanese Snowbell, Vine Maple, Dogwood trees and a diverse Asian inspired understo… - [Arboretum Landmark Guesthouse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/arboretum-landmark-guesthouse-pj-vj~904653) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 12 - Description: “In a host of commissions spanning both coasts, architect Robert Edson Swain has combined the rugged appeal of earthy materials with the craftsmanship of a cabinet-maker, creating intimate spaces that exude an organic, primal appeal. \[...\] The structure is based on a one-room concept and echoes the fusion of European, Asian and Native American traditions evident in the main house.” —Seattle Homes & LifeStyle - [Arboretum Landmark Master Suite Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/arboretum-landmark-master-suite-renovation-pj-vj~2446775) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 15 - Description: We have had the pleasure of designing several contemporary renovation projects for this unique 1907 home in Seattle’s arboretum neighborhood. Constructed of split stone and timber acquired from what is now the Washington Park Arboretum, the historic home embodies the Pacific Northwest craftsman style. Situated in a private park-like setting, exterior renovations were of a protective nature. Structural and seismic upgrades, roofing and gutter replacement, and sophisticated solutions protected and… [See all 13 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/robert-edson-swain-architecture-and-design-pfvwus-pf~1510928394) ## Community Q&A **Q: Hi you design is beautiful, I like the siding,and wondering what is** *(in Photo Questions)* what is the rustic copper material ? A: Thank you. The siding is 3/16" thick rusted steel. It's a common building material for our firm and is becoming more and more popular here in Seattle. **Q: canopy operation** *(in Photo Questions)* What a great idea! Are the sunshades pulled manually down the track? Are they any additional pics? A: The canopy itself is made by a company called Backyard America. It is power operated with a simple switch inside the house. We spent time integrating this standardized system into the steel structure. We have a time-lapse of it working on our website: bobswain.com **Q: how and where do I place decorative pots in the garden** *(in Photo Questions)* I don't know if I should place them in the middle of the garden or where...don't know what I should do to make them look attractive A: Hi Neom37. This is an open ended question. It all depends on the specific scenario. Groups of three with varied heights may help. The good news is that you can easily move pots around to test scenarios. Good luck! **Q: What brand are the lights above the table?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: I was able to track down this light fixture: QP711-WT/BN (KONIC SERIES BY W.A.C. LIGHTING). Which unfortunately is discontinued. They can still be found online if you only need a few. Please let me know if I can help with your project. Kit **Q: Backsplash** *(in Photo Questions)* What is the backsplash material? A: This is granite. We have better pictures of this material on another project. Go to our website and see the Phinney Residence (http://bobswain.com/portfolios/phinney-residential/). There's a photo of the wall in the bathroom that is the same material. It's a slab of Granite from Index, Washington. **Q: Finishes** *(in Photo Questions)* Love the look of this kitchen. Could you share some of the finishes. You graciously answered quartz as the countertop material. Could you provide the manufacturer and the colour please? I also would like to know the type of wood used for the ceiling and the cabinets. Thanks. A: It took a while to track this down. These countertops were provided by Marmo E Granito in Seattle. It's Called Stormy Sky by PentalQuartz. Here's a link to the product page on the PentalQuartz website: http://www.pentalquartz.com/catalog/collection/polished/stormy-sky Let me know if we can help you with your project. Kit --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-14.*