2025 Design Awards Gala
2025-12-04 17:30 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | El Paseo Resturant, 10 El Paseo, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101, United States
Celebrating the outstanding work of our AIA members.
The annual Design Awards proudly recognize architectural excellence in Santa Barbara.

About the Awards
This is a unique opportunity for your company to establish a presence in Santa Barbara’s architectural community. The awards program features submissions from licensed architects based in Santa Barbara, as well as from architects outside the area whose projects are located within Santa Barbara County. Honors, Merits, and Honorable Mentions will be presented across multiple categories, including Commercial Buildings, Single-Family Residential, Mixed-Use and Multi-Family Residential, Conservation Projects (Historic Preservation, Restoration, Rehabilitation, or Reconstruction), Santa Barbara Style, Small Projects (Residential Additions, Remodels, or ADUs), Commercial Interiors, and Proposed/Unbuilt Projects.
Jurors
Annie Chu (FAIA, NCIDQ, WELL AP) is a renowned architect, co-founder of Chu-Gooding, and lifelong advocate for interior architecture, celebrated for her refined approach to craft, color, and materiality. Over her forty-year career, she has worked with leading museums, cultural institutions, non-profits, and universities nationwide. Currently, she serves as an Interior Architect in collaboration with Populous, for the Los Angeles Convention Center renovation. Known as the “modernist house whisperer,” she has earned multiple AIA honors for her restoration and design of historic modern residences. A dedicated civic leader and educator, Annie has served on the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Commission, the Mayor’s Design Advisory Panel, and taught architecture and design for over three decades. She holds degrees from SCI-Arc and Columbia University and was elevated to the AIA College of Fellows in 2016.
Duncan is a Principal, Studio Leader, and Design Director at Gensler with over 30 years of experience creating vibrant, experience-driven architecture. As a global leader of the firm’s Mixed Use & Retail Centers practice, his expertise encompasses large-scale retail destinations, hotels, entertainment venues, and urban developments around the world. Based in Gensler’s Los Angeles office, he fosters a culture of design exploration and collaboration, while contributing to industry discourse on the evolution of mixed-use and retail environments through his active involvement with the Urban Land Institute and the International Council of Shopping Centers.
George Proctor is a licensed architect and professor whose experience spans from furniture design to large urban projects, including building his own home in 2004. Beginning in construction, he earned dual degrees in Urban Planning and Architecture from Cal Poly and a Master of Architecture in Urban Design from Harvard GSD. An early adopter of CAD and computer graphics, he later led Cal Poly Pomona’s digital curriculum, developing courses in Digital Modeling, Animation, and Interactive Media. His work blends architecture and entertainment-inspired digital design, and his leadership includes chairing the 2002 ACADIA Conference, serving on the founding board of the International Journal of Architectural Computing, and contributing to award-winning projects through his own practice and civic commissions.
Details
Schedule and Dress Code

Gala begins at 5:30. Arrive early for mingling and a no-host bar.
Dress code: Semi-Formal

Location

The Gala will be held at El Paseo Restaurant, 10 El Paseo, Santa Barbara, CA

Parking

City Lot 9: 25 E Canon Perdido St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Street parking

Ticket Prices for Design Awards 2024:

AIA Member – $140
Non-member – $170
Associate Member – $60
Student – $60

Table bundles for Members only

Tables of 4 members – $520 (6 tables available)
Table of 6 members – $780 (1 table available)
Tables of 8 members – $1,060 (2 tables available)
Table of 10 members – $1,340(2 tables available)
Table of 12 members – $1,620 (2 tables available)

Purchase tickets and reserve your spot before November 26th!
***By attending the Design Awards Gala, you are agreeing to be photographed***
