The AIA Santa Barbara Chapter, which promotes design excellence, professional development, education, and environmental and social equity, conducts an annual juried Design Awards Program to honor the work of its membership.

Entries in this year’s Design Awards program reflect the diverse range of current thought about architectural design in our community.

An opening reception for the exhibition will be 5.30-7 p.m. Jan. 5 in the Faulkner Gallery at Santa Barbara’s Main Library. The architects will be speaking about their projects. Refreshments will be served. 

Entries were submitted in 10 categories: Commercial Buildings; Single Family Residential; Mixed Use and Multi-Family Residential; Conservation Projects: Historic Preservation, Restoration, Rehabilitation or Reconstruction; Santa Barbara Style; Small Projects; Commercial Interiors; Residential Interiors; Proposed/Unbuilt Project.

A select jury of three distinguished architects from outside Santa Barbara considered three levels of recognition for the submitted projects: Honorable Mention, Merit and Honor Award. Of the submitted designs, the judges awarded six projects with Honor designation, six with Merit, and three with Honorable Mention.

The 2022 AIA Santa Barbara Design Awards jury included Donlyn Lyndon, FAIA; Michael Folonis, AIA; and Maureen Sullivan.

Drawings from the Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara’s Kids Draw Architecture (KDA) program will be exhibited alongside Design Award submissions. The exhibit will showcase a representative sample of drawings created by children of all age groups and drawing abilities.

The KDA program offers children an opportunity to focus on the built environment, appreciate architecture and associated landscapes, and creatively express their perceptions.

“The annual Design Awards program celebrates exemplary built projects in our region and is a unique opportunity to engage the public around the topic of excellence in building design,” said Alayna Fraser, past president of Santa Barbara AIA.

“The selection of recognized buildings reflects the values important to the American Institute of Architects – sustainable, innovative, site-sensitive, and inspirational design,” she said.

The following firms were honored for their distinction within their respective categories:

Honor: Blackbird Architects – Commercial Buildings – The Thacher School Gates Building Shubin Donaldson – Commercial Interiors – Confidential Technology Company Kupiec Architects PC – Historic Preservation Restoration Rehabilitation or Reconstruction – Santa Barbara Museum of Art Kevin Daly Architects – Mixed Use and Multi-Family Residential – UCSB San Joaquin Villages Housing Winick Architects – Santa Barbara Architectural Heritage – Coastal Mediterranean Winick Architects – Single Family Residential – Beachside Modern

Merit: Kupiec Architects PC – Commercial Interiors – Architect’s Office Interior KBZ Architects – Historic Preservation Restoration Rehabilitation or Reconstruction – Cabrillo Pavilion Thomas Ochsner Architect – Santa Barbara Architectural Heritage – La Paz Residence NMA Architects – Single Family Residential – Central Coast Guesthouse & Studio Winick Architects – Single Family Residential – Edge House NMA Architects – Small Projects: Single Family Residential Additions Remodels or Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU’s) – Thayer Trellis

Honorable Mention: AB Design Studio – Commercial Buildings – Hideaway Santa BarbaraBob Easton AIA Architect – Historic Preservation Restoration Rehabilitation or Reconstruction – All Saints-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church Michael Patrick Porter Architect – Small Projects: Sing