College of Fellows – AIA Santa Barbara

The AIA Fellowship program was developed to elevate those architects who have made a significant contribution to architecture, and society, and who have achieved a standard of excellence in the profession. Election to Fellowship not only recognizes the achievements of the architect as an individual, but also honors before the public, and the profession a model architect who has made a significant contribution to architecture, and society on a national level.

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Path to AIA Fellowship

Demystifying Fellowship

2019 – Bill Mahan, FAIA

Elevated to the College of Fellows in 2019–William “Bill” Mahan FAIA. Mahan, now retired, led a number of architectural firms in Santa Barbara: Mahan Architects, Sharpe Mahan and Sharpe Mahan Lenny. He designed the first office building in the newly created El Pueblo Viejo Historic District-to the delight of client, public and architect. For many years, Mahan has been composing and publishing music for the Folk Harp and painting area landscapes with his fellow architects, Sweeney and Lenvik. Mahan’s service on local design review boards, his architectural practice and other endeavors led to his induction into the College of Fellows.

2018 – Ken Radtkey, FAIA

Elevated to the College of Fellows in 2018–Ken Radtkey, the founding principal of Blackbird Architects an award-winning firm in Santa Barbara, poetically merges building, landscape, and sustainability – expanding the role and impact of architecture. He practices and widely promotes deeply ecological, site-sensitive design, and innovative collaboration, to advance environmental values in society and architecture. His work as a vanguard in sustainability focuses on landscape inarchitecture, innovative re-use, master planning, and mentorship and highlights his skill and passion in the field of architecture, leading to his induction into the College of Fellows.

2017 – L Dennis Thompson, FAIA

Elevated to the College of Fellows in 2017, Dennis Thompson was an early and dedicated advocate for green building and sustainability in the built environment. He began his architectural practice in Santa Barbara in 1985, and founded Thompson Naylor Architects with Susette Naylor, AIA, in 1998. The firm designed several buildings at La Casa de Maria in Montecito, the Santa Barbara Hillel in Isla Vista, the Tipton Meeting House at the Sedgwick Reserve in Santa Ynez, and buildings for numerous other local institutions, as well as many residences. Four of their projects were early recipients of LEED Platinum and Gold certifications. Dennis served on the Santa Barbara County Board of Architectural Review, the board of directors of the Community Environmental Council and The Sustainability Project. He was a founder of the Green Building Alliance and the Mesa Architects.

2016 – Cassandra Ensberg, FAIA

Elevated to the College of Fellows in 2016, Cassandra Ensberg continues her work to educate about the importance of art, design, and architecture through her community involvement, most notably the Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara and the Kids Draw Architecture program which she founded in 1989. She is the first woman from AIA Santa Barbara since Lutah Maria Riggs to be inducted into the AIA College of Fellows.

2015 – Robert Ooley, FAIA

Elevated to the College of Fellows in 2015–Robert Ooley, FAIA was inducted into the prestigious College of Fellows in 2015. Ooley is recognized for his role as a municipal-public sector architect and is the only County Architect in California to receive this designation since the founding of the College in 1952. He is responsible for obtaining State and National Historic Landmark designations for the Santa Barbara Courthouse, installing the geothermal system at the Santa Barbara Courthouse and Lompoc Wellness Clinic, and shepherding various conservation projects at the Santa Barbara Courthouse. He has served on the AIASB Board since 2016.

2012 – J Michael Holliday, FAIA

Mr. Holliday was recognized in 2012 by the National AIA as a Fellow, an honor which includes only 2 percent of AIA architects nation-wide. Elevated to the College of Fellows in 2012-J. Michael Holliday, FAIA has a passion for working collaboratively with creative people on contemporary, sustainable and environmentally responsible projects. His award winning designs strive to embrace both the poetic and pragmatic sides of any successful design effort. Michael is a past President of the AIASB Chapter, a USGBC LEED AP (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Accredited Professional and has served the local community as the Chairman of the SB Region Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the MIT Enterprise Forum Central Coast and as a Board Member with the UCSB Economic Forecast Project, the SB County Economic Vitality Team, the SB Business & Technology Board and Kids Helping Kids Board serving High School Students. Michael also serves as the Director of SYNERGY Business & Technology Center which hosts over 25 local high technology entrepreneurs and company CEOs.

John Frederick Murphy, FAIA 1957