Design Award Presented at Channing Peake Gallery
TRENDING TOWARDS CLEAN LINES AND MID-CENTURY MODERN SENSIBILITIES, the winners of this years AIA Santa Barbara’s annual juried Design Awards will be on view at the Channing Peake Gallery beginning February 6th and through March.
In addition to aesthetics, the teams address sustainability and integration within their respective environments. Showcasing the exceptional work of the region’s leading architects, the award-winning designs represent categories from Commercial Buildings to Single Family Residential, from Santa Barbara Heritage to Proposed/Unbuilt Projects.
The 2024 Honor Award recognized the firm AGPS for their Almost Off-Grid Ranch in Santa Ynez. A stunningly modern design, the house compliments a rural assemblage of barns and horse pastures, and “embodies the ranch in a contemporary interpretation of rural life achieved through minimal means,” said Sarah Graham, FAIA. “Rooftop rain water is collected in a cistern trough and used for irrigation. A septic system filters waste under a hay field. As with the entire ranch, the house is fully powered by the sun with all systems being electric.”
The selection of 2024’s winners was in the hands of a AIASB jury comprised of three distinguished architects: Patti Baker, AIA director of LA based Backen and Backen Architects; Erik Evens, AIA partner at Culver City based KAA Design Group; and Ted Flato, FAIA of Internationally recognized Lake|Flato Architects. They awarded one project with an Honor designation, four projects with Merit, and two projects with Honorable Mention.
“We are fortunate to have the opportunity to work with many great clients and amazing sites here in Santa Barbara,” said Dave Mendro, AIA, LEED AP, at NMA Architects, very happy to receive a Merit award
for their Santa Barbara Foothills Residence. A colorful, classic, and Cypress tree lined affair, he noted,
“Designed with preservation and sustainability in mind, this residence treads lightly in the natural setting, with a small footprint nestled within stunning sandstone boulders and majestic oak trees. Creating an indoor-outdoor ‘glass house’ that is sustainable for its exposed foothill environment, prone to high summer temperatures, strong winds, and wildfires, was quite challenging. The home is meticulously designed to provide a comfortable oasis for year-round living that is energy-efficient, fire-safe, and water-wise.”
Winning a Merit for their Santa Barbara Heritage/ Little Granada Residence, Appleton Partners LLC Architects was faced with the task of preserving the old, while incorporating with new features. “The best elements of the house were the sympathetic use of new wood doors and windows,” said John P. Margolis, AIA. “Their presence reinforces the historical bones of the original home. For some, the challenges of owning a 1921 historic home means small dark rooms with a limited circulation flow to the outside; however, the preferred open plan for modern California living can be easily attained with larger framed openings between adjacent spaces, while still preserving the best qualities of the original rooms.”
An exhibition of all the submissions to the 2024 Design Awards will be held in February through March at Channing Peake Gallery, County Admin Building, 105 E Anapamu St, Santa Barbara. Opening reception takes place on the 1st Thursday, February 6th, from 5pm to 8pm.
“AIA Santa Barbara organizes and hosts an annual Design Awards program to recognize and celebrate the design excellence of its Chapter members,” said Amy Tripp, President of AIA Santa Barbara. “This event consistently showcases the inspiring diversity of architectural designs created by our talented members. We deeply appreciate those who share their work, allowing us the privilege to honor and celebrate their contributions to the field of architecture and the Santa Barbara community.”
