Santa Barbara’s housing crisis continues to push city planners, developers, and community members to ask one pressing question: where should we build? In a region where space is limited and housing costs soar, balancing the demand for more housing with the need to preserve Santa Barbara’s character is challenging. This article from the Montecito Journal dives into potential solutions, looking at how urban infill, zoning adjustments, and thoughtful development could address housing needs while respecting the environment and community identity.

Thursday, December 5, 2024

The housing crisis is complex and multifaceted, but together, we can make a difference. Attending the Santa Barbara Housing Conference is an opportunity to engage with the region’s thought leaders, contribute to ongoing discussions, and find ways to get involved in crafting solutions for our community.

By working together, we can bridge the affordability gap and move toward a future where Santa Barbara’s workforce has access to housing that’s both affordable and accessible. We look forward to seeing you there!

Saturday, October 19, 2024

Housing Santa Barbara Day, organized by the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara, is an annual event dedicated to promoting awareness and providing valuable resources to those seeking affordable housing. This year, the event will be held on Saturday, October 19, at De La Guerra Plaza, with activities running from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The day features a mix of informational booths, expert-led workshops, and community resources, making it an essential occasion for anyone interested in affordable housing opportunities in the area.

Nestled in the heart of Lompoc at 115 N Street, “The Record” stands as a testament to the city's rich history, blending past legacies with future potential. This iconic ±16,307 square-foot building is more than just brick and mortar; it’s a symbol of the community’s enduring spirit. From its roots as the original site of Lompoc Automotive to housing the esteemed Lompoc Record newspaper in the 1970s, this historic property has long been a cornerstone of local culture and commerce.

SB 4 is now law, allowing faith-based organizations & non-profit colleges to build affordable homes on their land.

Santa Barbara is facing the challenge of increasing state housing demands while preserving its unique charm. The city has proposed new design standards aimed at ensuring that new developments harmonize with the local architectural style and community character.

The Yardi brothers plan to transform a downtown Santa Barbara commercial building into housing, aiming to address the city's need for more residential units.

In a city renowned for its picturesque coastline and Mediterranean charm, Santa Barbara is facing a crucial debate that pits housing needs against the demand for hotels.

We are thrilled to announce that four of our residential projects have been featured in the prestigious Dwell magazine.

Modular housing, characterized by prefabricated sections constructed off-site and assembled on location, offers innovative solutions to housing shortages, cost overruns, and environmental concerns.

The goal of this meeting is to provide actionable multi-benefit strategies that can build off of the State Street Master Plan in an effort to support future projects.

Understanding affordable housing can be complex, as it encompasses various definitions and criteria depending on the region and economic conditions.

Urban planning is taking a data-driven approach to improve walkability and bikeability in several cities. Tools like close.city help visualize which areas are most walkable or bikeable, highlighting where new housing developments should be prioritized to encourage walking and cycling. This is vital for reducing carbon emissions, as transportation contributes significantly to local and national emissions.

Gone are the days of imagining 3D models through flat screens or printed blueprints. With VR goggles, our clients can step directly into their designs. This immersive experience allows for a true sense of scale, proportion, and spatial relationships, making it easier to identify potential design issues and make real-time adjustments.

Saturday, Orctober 5, 2024

ArchitecTours 2024 is a unique event, bringing AIA members and the general public together to tour projects that exemplify design excellence in Santa Barbara.

The 2024 Southern California Multifamily Forum will be held at the Hilton LAX on June 6, 2024. First held in 2012, the conference consistently brings together 600+ multifamily executives from across California, as well as national multifamily owners, investors and developers active in California markets.

Across the country, neighborhood groups are uniting to fund mixed-use developments that meet housing and business demands, giving locals a place to live, work and learn new skills.

AIASB is hosting its 14th annual ArchitecTours on October 7th. One of our projects, Mid Century Modern, located on the Mesa will be featured on the tour.

Every eight years, the state of California determines the RHNA (Regional Housing Needs Assessment) number of housing units each jurisdiction is expected to produce locally to collectively address the statewide lack of housing.

This year’s Santa Barbara AIA ArchitecTours will take place on October 1st, 2022. Bildsten Architecture and Planning is proud to have one of our projects, Modern Farmhouse Renovation, featured on the tour.