WHO WE ARE

Sawa Design Studio LLC is a full service design studio with locations in Sarasota, Florida and Nairobi, Kenya, devoted to providing innovative design solutions for residential, commercial and hospitality projects. The Sawa Design team takes a collective approach to exploring design concepts and developing creative solutions for our clients’ environments. Our team is committed to working closely with the client on each project, from initial concept to final construction, to ensure that each project milestone is a definitive celebration of our client’s vision for their home, workspace, or brand identity. Our broad spectrum of industry specialties includes interior design, lighting design, industrial design, architectural integration, styling, custom furniture, furniture procurement, and creative brand solutions.

Sawa Design Studio operates on the principle that beauty and function are the cornerstones of great design.  Beyond that, our philosophy on design is simple: People should enjoy it. We strive to create spaces that transcend the boundaries of tradition, style and taste; to give life to environments that celebrate form, function, and above all, comfort. We believe that great design speaks a universal language and that the flow and impact of a living and working environment is influential and ubiquitous. As such, our work is rooted in quality custom design and the timeless aesthetic of functional refinement.

THE TEAM

SAWA Design Studio approaches each project with the innate belief that smart design translates to smart practices. Our firm sets its multifaceted design acumen to the task of developing custom interior environments that are distinctly suited to the lifestyles of the individuals who inhabit them.

 We also believe that collaboration lies at the heart of great creations. Our team works with industry professionals who share our passions and poetics, as well as our dedication to clients’ visions and understanding of the site and scale of their projects, to integrate the best design solutions.

 “The fundamental goal of a successful project is to provide something innovative and inspiring that captivates and astonishes the senses, and is enduring in its function and aesthetic. Our design philosophy is sophisticated in overall form and refined in the intimate details.”

 At the core of Sawa Design Studio is a small team of creative, dedicated, local and international design professionals. We draw from a deep well of industry knowledge and a shared passion for the beauty of form, function, and innovation. Our passion for great design amplifies the commitment and enthusiasm we bring to each project we undertake. . 

THE PEOPLE

Founder and principal architect Punit Patel invokes all five senses when designing dream homes for his clients. Beyond the striking aesthetics of a space, he focuses his thought process on the lived experience within it. Every detail of shape, texture, and lighting is intentionally chosen to support a lifestyle, a moment, a feeling.

Breaking a pattern takes vision, something Punit followed to architecture in a life otherwise destined for a medical or law degree. His childhood in Nairobi, Kenya, was spent developing mechanical skills at the wing of his aeronautical engineer father, until a course-altering exposure to architecture ignited a passion to pursue design. Arriving on the sunlit campus of the Ringling College of Art & Design in 1999 with two suitcases and a leap of faith to prove, he proceeded to win university-wide awards and gain traction at coveted internships during his tenure.

Throughout his early career, he craved a more cohesive approach to the process. Sawa Design Studio was established in 2014 to embody that vision.

 Every project, often long-sought retirement homes or ultra-photogenic properties, works in partnership with clients from the seed of a dream to the reality of a vision. Punit brings his dual backgrounds of eastern Africa and the Gulf Coast to marry elegance and warmth in his projects. He draws inspiration from meeting people, immersing himself in nature, and getting lost in thought.

TESTIMONIALS

"Punit of Sawa Design studio was a great asset to my project. He thought of every detail and made me aware of things that I would otherwise not have thought about. I knew what I wanted to achieve for a look, but, Punit was able to bring it to life. His ability to blend function, beauty in design, and energy efficiency saved me both time and money. He helped me with lighting, colour, tile and marble, pool details, exterior finishes, closet design, and hardware. This is not a complete list I am sure. I highly recommend Sawa Design Studio."

• SHARON M. - CLIENT

"Punit Patel was instrumental in taking our home from a plan on paper to a well thought out reality. His attention to detail is amazing. He brought the project to the next level of functional beauty. He is easy to communicate with and end results are loved by all."

 • LORI F. - CLIENT

"I had the pleasure to work with Sawa Design studios on a remodel for commercial space. The design team was more than patient enough with me and my untrained sense of design, the designer Punit Patel was able to translate my random and sometimes bad ideas into a beautiful building. Punit and his team focused not only on the esthetic design but wanted a functional layout with an inside out approach that was not suggested by two other firms I considered for the project. Will definitely work with on my next venture."  

• MONCEF B. - CLIENT

"I have utilized the services of SAWA as the broker/owner of a real estate company that has a commercial, residential and property management division. I have referred them business and have worked closely with them on many of my client’s projects and they are absolutely amazing. The designs are clean, innovative but practical and the designer always has a creative solution to save my client money. I highly recommend their services."  • 

ANGELIA Y. - CLIENT

"Sawa Design Studio & Punit Patel offer a fantastic combination of design, conceptual direction and fresh ideas with first-class service and peerless professionalism. We have relied heavily on their expertise and interaction with both client and vendors. There will certainly be a next time, and we look forward to it."

AMPERSAND CONSTRUCTION - CONTRACTOR

"Punit's design ideas were fresh and he was very professional in his approach to the task. He was always accessible and easy to work with as construction issues presented themselves making the Rivo project a pleasure to complete."  

• DL PORTER - CONTRACTOR

"I am a general contractor who worked with Sawa Design Studio. They provided the design, plans and interior finish selection for the entire project. We renovated a four unit office into a single 6000 square feet office. Which gave us many issues but with the professional and timely decisions made by Sawa Design we were able to complete the project on time and within the owner's budget. I look forward to working with Sawa Design in the future."  • 

SARASOTA CONSTRUCTION  - CONTRACTOR

"Working with Punit Patel of SAWA infuses excitement and enthusiasm into everyone at our office. When we embark on a project together, we know that it will include cutting edge thinking, creativity and careful thought processing toward a collaborative end result."  

• MICHAEL GILKEY. - LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT

"Sawa Design Studio is an excellent interior design studio and always has great ideas for homes with various styles and feelings. They use impeccable lighting, gorgeous furniture, and the perfect use of detail for each space they're decorating. Anytime anyone needs help with a remodel or a new construction site, I always refer them to Sawa Design Studio because I know they have a great grasp and great taste for what they do. I trust them will all of my clients!"  

• NATE R. - REAL ESTATE AGENT

INFORMATION

1003 North Orange, Sarasota, Unit A-2, FL 34236

P O BOX 42339, Nairobi, Kenya