McSwell, Chiclana de la Frontera (2026)

Name: McSwell
Address: Chiclana, 11130, ES
Telephone: +34956235833

01/10/2026

On a trip to Tulum, Mexico, we were fascinated by the beautiful, architectural coating that covered our Home Exchange house and used prominently throughout the Region. The traditional Mexican finish is made from natural limestone combined with the extract of the native chukum tree found on the Yucatán Peninsula. The tree extract gives the finish some of its characteristic durability, adhesion, water resistance, and subtle earthy coloration.

It turns out we weren’t the only ones inspired by that experience. We were introduced to Jemma and Rick, who had been inspired by those same traditional Mayan techniques and have been working to develop their own similar product here using limestone, white cement and plant extracts local to the region of Cádiz. Taking the concept of traditional Mayan plaster and adapting it into a contemporary architectural finish, they created their own product, Mas Maya

The surface can be smooth or more textured, has a soft, mineral, hand-finished appearance and creates depth rather than the flat appearance of paint. It is also breathable, flexible and water-resistant and can be used on walls, ceilings, floors, bathrooms, exteriors and even for pools.

When our Swiss clients were looking for unique finishes for their apartment, Mas Maya was something they needed to see. After taking them to the showroom, they were immediately convinced and now Mas Maya is being applied throughout their entire renovated apartment, creating a warm and tactile backdrop.

We love the full circle story from a shared inspiration in Tulum, to finding a similar material developed right here in Conil de la Frontera, and now into the home of our Swiss clients. And they love it as much as we do!

Stay tuned for the finished photos.

Interested in Mas Maya or want us to help you with your project?
Get in touch and I can give you more info or visit their website in the intro.

22/09/2026

We got back from California a few weeks ago, and I can’t stop thinking about a conversation revolving around the topic of school tuition.

During lunch with one of the founders of SCI-Arc, where I went to graduate school, current tuition costs were mentioned and I couldn’t get it of my head. So I ran the numbers through AI and would like to share the results with you.

First, I ran a cost comparison for a Masters degree in Architecture tuition and then a breakdown of living costs from start to finish, in two places: Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-arc) in Los Angeles, U.S. versus an equivalent pathway at the Universidad de Sevilla in Spain.

In order to make a more accurate comparison, I am using the SCI-arc undergrad 4-year degree + 2 year M. Arch 2 program with the University of Sevilla’s equivalent credential of a 5-year Grado en Fundamentos + 1 year Máster program. Same discipline and accreditation path over a course of 6 years.

(I went through the M.Arch1 program which is a 3.5 year, 7-semester program after a 4 year undergrad with a different degree. Essentially, an extra 1.5 years of tuition on top of this comparison.)

SCI-arc L.A.: ~$491,660 vs. Universidad de Sevilla: ~$52,100
That's the same degree, the same amount of time, for roughly 9.4x the cost!

To be fair, L.A. is an expensive city regardless of what you're studying, SCI-Arc is a private institution and I learned an innovative approach to thinking that I do not regret but I can't stop wondering about what that cost gap actually means. It's not just "grad school is expensive." It's that where you choose to study the exact same subject, for the exact same number of years, can be a difference of roughly $440,000. That disparity is a lifetime of debt.

And the thing that really throws me off is that none of this, not the $491K +interest, not the 6 (or 7.5) years, not the studio all-nighters, actually makes you officially an architect or able to practice independently when you're done. In the U.S., you still need ~3,700 hours of supervised experience (AXP) and six licensing exams (ARE) after graduation, which takes most people another 4-7 years. NCARB's own data puts the average time from enrolling in school to getting licensed at over 13 years!

In Spain, the degree itself grants you the professional title of "Arquitecto" letting you begin practicing (and join a colegio if you need to stamp projects) with no separate national licensing exam or multi-year experience requirement.

This is all bigger than one school. It's a snapshot of what higher education costs in the U.S. right now, architecture or otherwise, and how differently other countries have chosen to fund it and what it means for students today to go into a lifetime of debt.

Curious how this compares to other places. How long was your university degree and how much did it cost?

05/06/2026

Landscape projects are never without their challenges! 🌿

Two months of delays due to the rain, shared wall negotiations, the localization of a hidden septic tank, unexpected electrical issues, and finding the right plants that thrive in this climate. Every detail requires problem solving, team coordination and patience before the design can fully come to bloom. ⚒️🌺

Finally entering its last phase, the project includes (and a few tips that came up along the way):

-A zen garden with circular metal framed composite decking integrating a Bauhinia Variegata shade tree.

➕Tip: Originally the tree was a Jacaranda but sticky buds on the composite decking made it undesirable.

A concrete semicircular planter (for birds of paradise and local palms) with a custom built-in wooden bench wrapping around a fountain which sits on pavers laid in a circle.

➕Tip: Create a false level layer inside the planter to facilitate drainage holes without having to add so much dirt which alleviates moisture build up and paint chipping.

A wooden pergola with retractable shade covering flanked by Mediterranean tree mallow lining the newly reformed back wall and hanging decorative lighting for night time.

A winding decorative rock pathway with contrasting colors and Japanese stepping stones guiding you through the native landscape with delineated brick paths to divide the grassy areas.

➕Tip: Make sure to order the stones with a min 50 cm and consider that every person has a very different stride.

A custom 10 x 10 and 20 x 20 ceramic tiled bar with integrated ice drainage system, storage and bar stools designed for poolside entertaining.

A colorful rose and daisy garden framed with reclaimed wooden train tracks and topped with lava rocks providing texture and contrast while protecting the roots and irrigation system.

➕Tip: Since roses do not have flowers year round, mix varieties, such as daisies, that have different blooming cycles to keep the garden active.

Every detail was carefully selected not only for aesthetics, but also for functionality and local durability, creating a landscape designed to mature over time with low maintenance.

Soon this space will become a place to relax by the fountain and enjoy meditation, a margarita or both! 🧘‍♀️ 🍹

20/04/2026

McSwell started an exciting new project of transforming a 290 m² cortijo (rural building in the southern part of Spain), into a fully liveable home while keeping the additional 208 m2 for a horse stable. What was once used as a country side restaurant is about to be reimagined into something contemporary, while respecting its historical character.

Collaborating closely with the client, we are currently in the conceptual design phase, exploring different layout options and rethinking how the space can flow, function, and feel. It’s a unique challenge with so much potential, working with the existing structure and stepping on any challenges that come across the way (including that poor snail)!

Join us on our journey, from the design phase, technical detailing and material selections to the building phase and collaboration with the construction team in order to give a new life to this old building. Ironically, 2 horses have just been born here this past month!

Saddle up and follow us on the ride! 🐎

09/04/2026

Want to travel and live like a local without having to pay for hotels? 🏡

We've been doing home exchanges for the past 13 years and just completed our 6️⃣2️⃣nd exchange, this time in a beautifully renovated loft-style apartment owned by a writer in the heart of Madrid.

For anyone who isn’t familiar with the platform, after becoming a member you can literally swap your home or use a point based system with other people in 150+ countries around the world. The best part? You get to travel in a way that feels local and authentic, living and experiencing a destination like a resident instead of a tourist (we always leave a guide of our favorite suggestions of places to eat, visit and explore). We have even swapped cars, surf boards and a spot in a children’s day care!

If you are curious, the process is really simple: create a profile, add photos and details about your home, start browsing places and connect with another member to arrange an exchange.

If you would like to gain an extra +250 bonus points, use our
Invite Friends code:
🏁 meaghanjose-091d4

If you would like to do a home exchange with us, visit us on homeexchange.com

Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Dirección

Chiclana
11130

Teléfono

+34956235833

Página web

https://mcswell.com/, https://mcswellstudio.com/

Notificaciones

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