Deconstruction on the Mesa
Something remarkable is happening on Santa Barbara’s Mesa. What might have been an ordinary demolition project is instead becoming a model for sustainability, innovation, and community impact. Crews are hard at work on a residential deconstruction project, carefully dismantling a home to salvage reusable materials and divert them from our already overburdened landfills.
Ventura’s Solar Future: A Sustainable Step
The City of Ventura, in partnership with ForeFront Power, has started construction on two solar energy projects at Ventura Community Park and the Police/Fire Headquarters. Together, these projects will deliver 900 kilowatt-DC (kW DC) of renewable energy through solar parking canopies at both sites.
Insights from Santa Barbara’s 2024 Housing Conference: Avoiding L.A.’s Housing Mistakes
Steven Stenzler, left, and Michael Gunning, center, with moderator Mack Carlson, discuss the issues facing the housing industry in the year ahead. The panel was held at the 2024 Santa Barbara Housing Conference on Thursday, December 5.
California's Housing: Key Laws Taking Effect January 1, 2025
Governor Newsom signed into law a comprehensive bipartisan housing package to build on California’s long-term strategy to help address homelessness and housing scarcity.
Exploring Cooperative Housing as a Solution to the Housing Crisis
Cooperative housing is gaining momentum as an innovative solution to the housing affordability crisis in the U.S. Projects like Seattle's Corvidae Co-op showcase collaborative ownership models that blend architectural creativity with financial inclusivity.
Habitat for Humanity’s mission in Santa Barbara: The Path to Homeownership
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.
Preserving the Past, Planning for the Future: A New Chapter for "The Record"
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: A Step Toward Affordable Housing in California
SB 4 is now law, allowing faith-based organizations & non-profit colleges to build affordable homes on their land.
Santa Barbara’s Approach to New Housing Design Standards
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.
Housing Efforts in Downtown Santa Barbara
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.
Tourism vs. Housing: What is Santa Barbara’s Priority?
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 featured in Dwell Magazine
We are thrilled to announce that four of our residential projects have been featured in the prestigious Dwell magazine.
The Rise of Modular Housing
Modular housing, characterized by prefabricated sections constructed off-site and assembled on location, offers innovative solutions to housing shortages, cost overruns, and environmental concerns.
What Does Affordable Housing Actually Look Like?
Understanding affordable housing can be complex, as it encompasses various definitions and criteria depending on the region and economic conditions.
Smart Urban Planning for Santa Barbara's Future
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.
Communities Take Development Into Their Own Hands
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.
Santa Barbara’s Builder’s Remedy Application
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.
AIA ArchitecTours 2022: Modern Farmhouse Renovation Featured
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.
Monterey Design Conference 2022
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.
Ellen Bildsten interview on Radio Real Estate
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.