Becoming a Habitat for Humanity homeowner is no easy feat. It’s a path that demands determination, commitment, and an unwavering belief in the promise of a better future. For one Santa Barbara family, this journey is about more than just building a house—it’s about building stability, opportunity, and a brighter tomorrow.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Monterey Design conference is a biennial conference for architects and designers hosted by the California AIA. Our team always looks forward to it, and three of us will be attending this year.

In this week’s Radio Real Estate, Ellen talks with Mark Schneidman and Tom Oschner about the upcoming AIA ArchitecTours, Santa Barbara’s plans for State Street, and more. Bildsten Architecture and Planning will have a project, Modern Farmhouse Remodel, featured in this year’s tour which takes place on October 1st, 2022.

We were asked to contribute a tip to Redfin’s article 14 Expert Tips to Consider Before You Build an ADU. The article is full of interesting insights from other professionals who work regularly with ADU design and construction. See our tip below, or click here to read the whole article.

By signing Senate Bill 9 into law, Newsom opened the door for the development of up to four residential units on single-family lots across California.

The American Institute of Architects Santa Barbara is proud to announce its 12th annual ArchitecTours event. This year’s tour will celebrate “Design Excellence” and will highlight projects that demonstrate green building, small efficient spaces, are built in harmony with nature, demonstrate live/workspaces that meet the needs of a 21st-century workforce…

The Santa Barbara City Council has voted 7-0 to create a master plan for State Street and established a committee to oversee it. State Street, a hallmark of downtown Santa Barbara, has undergone many changes during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the question of where it will head next is on many people’s minds.

The Santa Barbara chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIASB) just concluded its 2020 Design Charrette where members of the design professions and the community at large gathered virtually over the past six weeks to consider this year’s theme to "re-invigorate, re-invent, re-imagine, and re-purpose downtown Santa Barbara for the future".