studio
profile
VISION
We envision each project from concept design through construction as greater than the sum of its parts. We believe in designing architecture that creates a complete environment and enriches the community around it. We take a collaborative approach, value constant improvement, and draw upon our many years of experience working tirelessly within strict local regulatory systems. At the heart of it all, our clients come first - we listen carefully to your needs, goals, and budget constraints. We remain involved, focused and passionate during every phase of the project and strive toward a better world in all that we design.
OUR MISSION re: Sustainable Communities
With its natural beauty, temperate climate and limited geographic size, California’s central coast communities are well suited to support carbon-neutral lifestyles. Studies show that residents of all ages who bike or walk to daily destinations tend to have strong connections to their neighborhood and community, as well as greater happiness and better health. In order to achieve this kind of sustainable community, there must be a vital combination of housing, workplaces, schools, shops and recreational areas within walking distance of one another. Together with designers, builders, property owners, planners, and developers who share this mission, we believe we can work together to achieve greater access, function, affordability and beauty in all that contributes to communities in the Santa Barbara region.
APPROACH
If you’re thinking about a construction or renovation project in the Santa Barbara area, please reach out. We are glad to meet you at the site, hear your ideas, and offer some initial strategies and ideas on how best to achieve your goals with timing, budget, and great design in mind. We are familiar with the many local building codes, design review requirements, and structural and energy considerations; expertise in these areas streamlines the design and permitting process of your project. Our approach gets things correct from the start to save significant time and expense during construction. For a well-designed, permitted building that maximizes your investment, contact us to lead your design and construction team.
ARCHITECTURAL PROCESS
At the start of a project, it is important to meet at the project site and review your ideas and requirements. We prepare initial design solutions, typically in the form of sketches. These initial proposals often also incorporate feasibility information and preliminary site studies. As the project progresses, we work with you, developing plan options, elevations, details, specifications, budgets, and schedules, providing progress reports, and arranging meetings to answer questions as they arise throughout the design and construction phases.
COORDINATION
Depending on the complexity of the project, it may be necessary to consult with outside experts such as structural, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing engineers, lighting designers, kitchen consultants, and energy code specialists, who prepare detailed drawings, specifications, and recommendations. In collaboration with the consultants, we coordinate the design with all building, fire, health, and safety codes and work with the building department to obtain a building permit. The approved drawings and specifications form the basis for obtaining estimates from contractors.
more information
awards
2023 AIASB Merit Design Award - Small Projects Category
Awarded Project: Mulberry ADUs
2019 Lutah Maria Riggs presidents award
Recipient: Ellen Bildsten, AIA
2018 Santa Barbara Contractors Association - Residential Remodel Award: Isla Vista Modernization
Featured AIA Design Award 2017
Awarded Project: Mountain Drive Cabana
2016 Santa Barbara Contractors Association - Residential Category Award
November 2012 Architectural Record House of the Month
Carrillo Residence
jobs
We are always looking for talented, hard-working, and self-motivated design professionals to join our team and add to our architectural strength. The firm focuses on a wide variety of project types ranging from custom residential, multifamily housing, urban infill, City and County public facilities, and campus projects to adaptive re-use. We thrive on a culture of inclusion, creativity, collaboration, and mentorship, believing that our best days include learning from one another and involvement in community-oriented projects
Position currently available
Architecture/ Archicad
We are seeking a self-motivated, talented design professional to join our team. Contact us if you have a degree in Architecture and 3+ years of experience in the areas of conceptual design, graphic presentation, detailing, project management, construction documents, and construction administration. As an integral part of our creative, design-oriented team, the work is both independent and collaborative. Strong graphic, organizational, and communication skills are key. Proficiency in developing construction documents with Archicad BIM modeling and rendering skills are strongly preferred.
How to Apply
Interested candidates who meet the above criteria are encouraged to email their resume of experience and selected work samples with “Architecture position – Spring 2024” in the subject line to bap@sb-designgroup.com – no phone calls, please. Candidate to be a US citizen or have permanent residence status.
past & present interns
Not photographed
GAYLE SCHUMACHER
M. Arch I UCLA
ARIEL SAADAT
Graduate UCSB
TIM WHITE
B. Arch SCI-Arc
FOREST MCMILLIN
M. Arch USC
EMMA SCHOTT
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
ALI IWASHITA
Graduate UCSB
ANNA NESTERENKO
Anacapa High School
COLE HAWTHORNE
UCSB
collaborators
Consultants who help us get everything done:
Contractors:
Allen Construction | Contractor
Creative Structural Design, Inc. | Contractor
David Chase Construction | Contractor
Deborah Ross Construction | Contractor
Doug La Barre | Contractor
Evan Rigg | Contractor
Juan Perez Builders | Contractor
Paul Franz Construction | Contractor
SB Design and Build | Contractor
Skyeline Construction | Contractor
Pintado Pools, Inc. | Pool Contractor
Tri Valley Pool & Spa | Pool Contractor
Engineering Consultants:
Alan Noelle | Electrical Engineering
John Maloney | Electrical Engineering
MEC | Mechanical Engineering
GeoSolutions | Soils Engineering
Earth Systems | Soils Engineering
Windward Engineering | Structural Engineering
Van Sande | Structural Engineering
Ashley Vance | Structural & Civil Engineering
Studio Engineers Inc. | Structural & Civil Engineering
Interior and Lighting Design:
Rozalynn Woods | Interior Design
Ann Kale | Lighting Design
Landscape:
Harlin Landscaping | Landscape Contractor
Steve Hanson Landscaping | Landscape Contractor
Arcadia Studio | Landscape Design
CJM::LA | Landscape Design
Wood Architecture | Landscape Design
Bill Spiewak | Arborist
Non-Profit Organizations that we advocate for and support: