In collaboration, the Helms Bakery District and the Cal Poly SLO LA Metro Program in Architecture and Urban Design present:

Neal Schwartz, FAIA

Neal J. Z. Schwartz established the modern design studio, S^A | Schwartz and Architecture in 1997. Recent recognition for the firm's design work includes several Chicago Athenaeum American Architecture Honor Awards, the James Beard Foundation Award for Excellence in Restaurant Design, the International Trends Home of the Year Award, an Architizer A+ Award, and multiple RADA and Residential Design Awards. In addition, the firm's work has consistently been honored by the AIA California Council, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Redwood Empire, and Boston chapters. S^A is also committed to significant pro-bono work with non-profits, including La Cocina, The Children’s Creativity Museum, Larkin Street Youth Services, Public Architecture, and the National AIDS Memorial Grove.

S^A's work has been profiled broadly, including features in Architectural Record, The New York Times, Dwell, Architect, Metropolis, and Residential Architect, among others. Recent book publications include the New View California collection of 20 of the region’s best residential firms and Influencers Architecture’s review of 37 international design leaders.

Neal has been actively involved in teaching for over 25 years, most recently as a full Professor of Architecture at the California College of the Arts (CCA). He was the founding chair of the AIASF Public Policy & Advocacy Committee (PPAC) advocating for improvements to SF Planning’s residential design review policies and procedures. Recognition of this work has included an AIACC Presidential Citation and two AIASF Community Alliance Awards.

Neal completed dual master’s degrees in architecture and public policy at Harvard University's Graduate School of Design and the Kennedy School of Government, respectively. He graduated with Distinction in Architecture, received the Thayer Award for Meritorious Scholarship, the Sheldon Traveling Fellowship, and national awards from the Urban Land Institute and American Planning Association.