Save the Date for AIA Santa Barbara’s 16th Annual ArchitecTours

The American Institute of Architects Santa Barbara is proud to  announce its 16th annual ArchitecTours, this year themed ‘Living Architecture: Santa Barbara.’ The tour offers  a curated exploration of the city’s distinctive architectural landscape, highlighting residential, commercial, and  public spaces that define Santa Barbara living. 

Participants will experience homes nestled in the tranquil foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains, sun-drenched  coastal retreats, and thoughtfully designed commercial and public spaces. Each site demonstrates the  interplay of design, functionality, and environment, reflecting the creativity and craftsmanship that shape the  city’s built environment. 

From private residences to dynamic workplaces and community gathering spaces, attendees will gain an  insider’s perspective on how timeless architectural principles harmonize with modern innovation. The tour  celebrates the ways in which architecture influences daily life, fosters community, and defines the unique  character of Santa Barbara. 

About ArchitecTours 

ArchitecTours is an annual event presented by the American Institute of Architects Santa Barbara, offering the  public a rare opportunity to explore the region’s exceptional architecture. Each year, the tour highlights both  historic and contemporary projects, celebrating the artistry and vision of Santa Barbara’s built environment. 

We invite all to join: 

• The tour will be held on October 4th from 10AM – 4PM. 
• Access to the after party to be held at Ospi from 4PM – 6PM is included with each ticket. • Early Bird Tickets on sale August 29th with reduced pricing. 
• For additional information about the tour, go to aiasb.com or call 805-966-4198. 
• Five percent of the ticket proceeds earned by the event will be donated to a local non-profit. • Connect with us on Instagram: @AIASantaBarbara

Alston Road Residence 

A34 Studio 

The existing 70 year old home had never undergone any  previous remodels, therefore was in need of an extensive  opportunity-and-constraints study. The owners, entering  

the next phase of their lives, envisioned a home that would  support their future while strengthening the connection to  the surrounding landscape. 

As empty nesters, the owners had no need for additional  square footage. Instead, their focus was on rethinking  the functional layout to better support daily living, while  maintaining the comfort, security, and sense of familiarity.  Our goal became to enhance the residences’ livability for  their future years and seamlessly engage their landscape  to create an indoor-outdoor relationship while honoring the  memories and emotional connections to the home. 

Our team at A34 Studio believes that the first and best  approach to sustainability is to re-use and adapt as much of  the existing home as possible. Our design solution embraced  a restrained and simplified use of a high quality material  palette that is designed around longevity and timelessness,  prioritizing quality and craft over ease and speed. 

Barker Pass Residence 

A34 Studio 

Set on the corner of two busy streets, this 40-year-old  home no longer met the needs of a young, active couple,  their three sons, and their dog. Over the years, the house  had been altered and expanded without ever establishing  a cohesive relationship to its site. 

Our goal was to reconnect the residence to its  surroundings while supporting a contemporary lifestyle.  To achieve this, we introduced an “urban forest” along the  front of the residence—providing both a buffer from the  street and an on-site stormwater management system.  The addition of landscaping helps create a strong indoor outdoor relationship, creating privacy without limiting the  use of glass or requiring the need for shades. 

The ‘gut-renovation’ of the existing house consisted  of a reconfiguration of the layout to improve the flow  between the existing program, enhanced outdoor living  space as well as the addition of a master suite, playroom,  guest suite, and gym. Our use of a minimal material  palette keeps the focus on the interior volumes and their  relationship to the outdoors. The result is a project that is  simple yet very intentional, serving as a backdrop to both  the landscape and the lifestyle of its inhabitants.

Blufftop Estate on the Santa Barbara Coast 

Ochsner Architects 

Perched on one of the most coveted stretches of coastline  in Santa Barbara, this reimagined blufftop estate seamlessly  blends cutting-edge design with coastal elegance. The  extensive renovation preserved the original shell and  footprint of the residence while transforming its architecture  and interiors into a modern showpiece. 

The home was taken down to the studs, allowing for a  completely new floor plan that emphasizes spacious, open concept living areas oriented toward the ocean. Structural  steel framing was integrated throughout to support  expansive, uninterrupted ceiling planes on both levels,  reinforcing the home’s clean, contemporary lines. 

Floor-to-ceiling operable glass doors and windows dissolve  the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living, framing  panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and lush landscaping.  A striking double-height volume connects the main living  space to an upper-level sitting area, where an operable  glass wall welcomes in the westerly breeze. 

The southern yard is a botanical haven, densely planted  with a curated mix of tropical and Mediterranean species.  Winding paths lead to a stunning oceanfront deck perched  at the edge of the bluff. Just below, a secluded grotto room  offers a one-of-a-kind vantage point to take in the coastline,  beach, and the channel beyond—a private retreat carved  into nature itself.

Anacapa Architecture Office 

Anacapa Architecture 

The new Anacapa Architecture & Interior Design studio  is a vibrant creative workspace designed to foster  collaboration and artistic exploration. Anchored by an  outdoor courtyard created in partnership with Ground  Studio, the project contributes to the energy of State  Street while offering a welcoming hub for community  and design culture. Serving as both workshop and  showcase, the studio reflects Anacapa’s dedication to  crafting bespoke luxury residences and experiential  hospitality environments. 

Harbor Hills Residence 

Dennis Thompson, AIA 

This 1970s-era custom home, while structurally sound  and blessed with stunning ocean and mountain views,  suffered from a disjointed layout and limited space. With  only two bedrooms spread across three staggered levels  and a loft, it lacked the flow and functionality desired by its  new owners. The design team responded by reconfiguring  the home into a cohesive, single-level layout. Two covered  patios were enclosed to create a third bedroom and bath,  while a new large patio cover maintained outdoor living  space. Removing interior walls and columns opened the  main living area, enhancing light, views, and circulation. 

The updated design embraces an organic contemporary  aesthetic—crisp white walls, clean lines, and sun-bleached  wood tones balanced by imperfect textures, muted coastal  hues, and dark accents. Custom cabinetry and eclectic,  comfortable furnishings support both relaxation and  entertaining. Every window now captures a connection  to nature. The renovation integrates healthy, sustainable  strategies: a tightly sealed and insulated envelope with a ventilated rain screen, high-performance windows, and  balanced mechanical ventilation ensures comfort and  energy efficiency. This transformation celebrates simplicity,  sustainability, and seamless connection to place— revitalizing a dated structure into a timeless coastal retreat. 

Hotel Santa Barbara 

DMHA Architecture + Interior Design 

From the corner of State and Cota Streets, Hotel Santa  Barbara stands as one of the most iconic buildings in our Downtown core. The beautiful and articulate ornament of  this 1920’s structure reflects the wave of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture that swept through the  community at the time and continues to define the unique character that Santa Barbara embraces today. 

A full facelift of the historic exterior has already been  completed and a fully renovated interior remodel is nearly  finished transforming this once tired and dated facility into  premier accommodations for discerning visitors to the  City. The entire first floor lobby has been reconfigured and  refinished, improving the overall experiences for guests  and adding a beautiful semi-public space to be discovered  by locals and visitors alike as they explore State Street.  Within the remodeled lobby space, new amenities  for the public including a remodeled meeting room to  gather downtown. For the guests, a new breakfast bar,  reimagined reception as well as a fitness room provide an  upscale hotel experience. The fully renovated guest rooms  on the second, third and fourth floors have recently been  completely transformed and are waiting to be revealed to  the general public.

Ocean Residence 

Design Arc 

Located in a secluded cove between the Pacific ocean and  the Santa Ynez mountain range in Montecito California,  this 4000 sf ocean-centric home is the Architectural  manifestation of dreamy California coastal indoor-outdoor  living! The home celebrates the challenge of the vertical  narrow site with a dramatic black stainless steel open stair  system descending 30 feet from the modest northern entry  above to sea level and open air living / kitchen space three  levels below. As the stairway descends it projects through  the glass façade with a ‘bowsprit’ reminiscent of the iconic  prows of sword fishing vessels which navigate the SB  channel. The home is a collage of masses assembled from  concrete, plaster, wood and glass with dramatic ocean  vistas from every room! The ‘Primary’ light filled second level  bedroom enjoys a private deck with open air private lounge  and fire pit. The central living / kitchen area is wide open  to the ocean with its south facing thermory wood decking,  stainless spa, and 30’ tall cascading stair above. You are  essentially ‘on the beach’ when one opens the vertical 12’  tall Acoya wood pocketing sliders. From the water the home  has an elegant warm contemporary feel and the horizontal  shape of the primary deck intersecting the more vertical  wooden structure gives the home a dynamic presence and  locks it into this incredible oceanic location.

Ospi Restaurant at the Post    

Warner Group Architects 

Ospi Montecito offers a refined take on Italian coastal  dining, nestled beside the scenic bird refuge on East  Cabrillo Boulevard. Designed and furnished by The Warner  Group Architects, the restaurant blends natural materials,  layered textures, and soft lighting to create a relaxed yet  elevated atmosphere. From the sculptural green glass  bar to the private booths framed by custom murals and  velvet banquettes, every detail was considered to foster  comfort and connection. Outdoor terraces shaded by  striped umbrellas offer views of the surrounding landscape,  extending the dining experience into nature. Balancing  modern luxury with the casual charm of Montecito, Ospi has  quickly become a local favorite and a distinctive addition to  Santa Barbara’s culinary and architectural scene.