AIA Santa Barbara

Emerging Professionals Open House at Studio William Hefner
2026-04-16 17:30 - 19:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Studio William Hefner, 113 Middle Road, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101, United States
1 LU Pending
Refreshments and food provided
Studio William Hefner is opening its doors for an exciting tour of their design studio!
Join Emerging Professionals for an Open House at Studio William Hefner’s Montecito studio.
Known for a diverse portfolio spanning modern and traditional architecture, SWh is guided by a passion for warm livability and an uncompromising attention to detail. SWH works across styles and regions, always beginning with the client’s vision and designing spaces that enrich everyday life. This is a great opportunity for emerging professionals to tour the studio, engage with their team, and gain insight into a design process built on curiosity, collaboration, and craft.

About Studio William Hefner
“For over three decades Studio William Hefner has created luxury homes in California, across the US, and internationally. With offices in Los Angeles and Montecito, our projects range from new urban houses to country estates and landmark restorations, as well as commercial typologies. We achieve the fullest experience of a space for our clients when we can tailor interior design and custom furnishings to the character of the architecture and landscape.
Our work is always guided by a quest for simplicity and elegance. We are grounded in an appreciation for the fine craft of building and a harmonious use of natural forms and materials. Balance is a central condition of our practice. Everything we make emphasizes authenticity and historical reference, while embracing 21st century technology, comforts, and spatial invention. We seek a modern lightness in all that we do, to create places that are warm and understated, evocative and original, and always, richly restful.” – williamhefner.com
Reserve your spot!

May Women in Architecture Conversation Series
2026-05-05 17:30 - 19:30 | GOOD COMPANY, 2613 De La Vina St, Santa Barbara, 93105, United States
AIA Women in Architecture
Tuesday, May 5th
5:30 PM
Good Company
2613 De La Vina Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
We hope you’ll join us for our monthly Women in Architecture gathering. This month, we will be hearing from Qing Xue, AIA architect at Harrison Design whose work focuses on high-end residential, institutional, and historic restoration projects.
About Qing Xue
Before moving to Santa Barbara, Qing worked in England on classical and traditional architecture with John Simpson Architects in London and ADAM Architecture in Winchester. She currently serves on the board of the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation and has contributed to the master planning of Santa Barbara’s State Street.
Born in China, Qing earned her Master of Architecture and a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Notre Dame. Outside of practice, she enjoys pencil drawing, watercolor, and pottery, which continue to shape her appreciation for craftsmanship and materiality.
About our host:
Good Company is an interior design studio and social club within a residential house that provides an experiential community gathering destination and is the perfect venue for design and domestic-centric events. Advanced membership provides children’s programming, after-school enrichment, as well as educational programming including topics that apply to pillars of home, wellness, and community.

Design Practice Exchange
2026-05-12 18:00 - 20:00 | AIA Santa Barbara, 229 E Victoria St, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101, United States
Join a NEW AIA Santa Barbara committee on May 12th!

Design Practice Exchange brings together design firm leaders for candid conversations about running a business. From operations and financial performance to growth and leadership, this is a space to share experiences, challenges, and ideas with peers.
In the first meeting, we’ll hear from business leaders and open the conversation to better understand the group’s needs, priorities, and goals moving forward.
-1 LU Pending
-Refreshments provided

COTE Tour of Bevyhouse
2026-05-16 10:30 - 13:00 | Bevyhouse, 630 Todd Lane, Santa Paula, CA, 93060
1 LU
Refreshments provided

About the Event
From Bevyhouse:
“During the tour, we’ll walk through how our system works in practice—from early design considerations and modular planning, to fabrication, delivery, and installation. We’ll also touch on how we collaborate with architects, coordinate site and factory work simultaneously, and navigate projects in complex environments.
Our goal is to create a more aligned process between design and construction—so projects can be delivered with greater clarity, efficiency, and confidence.”
About Bevyhouse
The traditional homebuilding process is often defined by long timelines, cost uncertainty, and fragmented coordination between design and construction. At Bevyhouse, we’re exploring a different approach—one that integrates design, engineering, and construction through a custom modular framework.
Our work combines fully custom home design with the efficiencies of prefabrication. By shifting a significant portion of construction into a controlled factory environment, we’re able to improve build quality, reduce variability, and compress project timelines—while still allowing for a high degree of architectural flexibility and personalization. As part of our standard construction, all homes are built to meet California Residential Building Code and WUI requirements.
Register for the event!

Lunch & Learn: Hard Walls, High Style by Formica
2026-05-20 12:00 - 13:00 | AIA Santa Barbara, 229 E Victoria St, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101, United States
1 LU
Lunch Provided! No charge for members

Lunch & Learn: Hard Walls, High Style
About
Commercial spaces require vertical surfaces that are durable, long-lasting, impact-resistant, and stylish. They must have industrial strength, but exude the latest trendy ambiance. Our focus today is on decorative protection panels that take the idea of high-pressure laminates to the next level, replacing the kraft paper core with a durable and resilient fiberglass core. This course explores the next generation of durable wall panels.
Learning Objectives
1. Discuss the need for durable, decorative panels for commercial, retail, health care, education, food service, and other settings
2. Describe types of wall protection products and their strengths and weaknesses
3. Identify testing, standards, and certifications for protective wall panels
4. And identify a variety of other laminate choices for vertical surfaces, including metal laminates, writable laminates, and custom laminates
About the Speaker
Rachael Olsem joined Formica Corporation in July 2025. She previously worked as an A&D representative for TOTO USA and Autex Acoustics. Originally from Iowa, Rachael grew up on a farm surrounded by plumbers, electricians, and carpenters, which helped spark her interest in the built environment. She holds a BA in Nonprofit Management from the University of Northern Iowa. Now based in Calabasas, Rachael enjoys helping clients find solutions for their projects, especially when they involve complex or technical challenges. In her spare time, she makes suits for women and custom embroidery for company branding.

Register today!

Emerging Professionals Open House at Outset Architecture
2026-05-21 17:30 - 19:30 | Outset Architecture, 21 E Canon Perdido St #300, Santa Barbara, California, 93101, United States
1 LU Pending
Refreshments and food provided

Explore Outset Architecture with Emerging Professionals for an inside look at their design process! We’d love to have you join us for an Open House at Outset Architecture — where innovative design meets purposeful execution.

Founded by Adam Grosshans and Ben Krintzman, Outset Architecture is a Santa Barbara-based firm built on the belief that great spaces should be functional, sustainable, and a true reflection of the people who inhabit them. From initial concept through construction, every project is treated with precision and care — ensuring that what gets built is exactly what was envisioned.
This Open House is a wonderful opportunity for emerging professionals to go behind the scenes, and explore what it looks like to bring bold, innovative architecture to life , from the first sketch all the way through the final build.

Reserve your spot!

June Women in Architecture Conversation Series
2026-06-02 17:30 - 19:30 | Sherry & Associates, Architects Inc., 608 Anacapa Street #Suite B, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, 93101
AIA Women in Architecture
Tuesday, June 2nd
5:30 PM
Sherry & Associates
608 Anacapa St., Suite B, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
We hope you’ll join us for our monthly Women in Architecture gathering. This month, we will be hearing from Faydra Gage, P.E. & Jenny Viveros, EIT, as they speak to us about Architecture and Engineering.
About Faydra Gage
Faydra moved to Santa Barbara nearly a decade ago from Canada, eager to begin her career after earning a degree in Civil Engineering. She spent her first five years here in the structural engineering field, building a strong technical foundation and developing a deep understanding of how buildings are constructed. Over time, she felt drawn to the creative and human-centered side of the built environment, which led her to pursue a transition into architecture.
For the past five years, Faydra has been a Project Manager at Sherry & Associates Architects, where she brings a unique perspective shaped by both engineering and design. As a licensed Professional Engineer and an emerging architect preparing for her final licensing exam, she bridges the gap between technical precision and thoughtful design, advocating for solutions that are both practical and inspiring.
Faydra is passionate about the evolving role of women in the architecture and engineering industries, and she values the diverse paths that lead people into design. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, practicing yoga, and exploring creativity through film photography.

About Jenny Viveros
Jenny is a Central Coast native who has always had a passion for applied maths and science. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Architectural Engineering from Cal Poly SLO and began her career in Santa Barbara nearly four years ago. Jenny started at T&S Structural, where she found incredible mentorship and exposure to many professional organizations. She now continues to develop her engineering skills at Ashley & Vance Engineering while she prepares to take her licensing exams.
Jenny has spent the last three and a half years enjoying being a part of the Santa Barbara community by volunteering for the AIA, mentoring through the after-school program ACE, and dancing with the ladies’ salsa and bachata teams, A Mi Manera. Jenny is passionate about bringing structural engineering career awareness to the youth and providing excellent engineering services to the community.
Register for the event!

About the Host, Sherry & Associates, Architects Inc.:
Founded in 1990, Sherry & Associates Architects, Inc. is a Santa Barbara–based firm led by Principal Architect Dawn Sherry. The practice offers a diverse portfolio spanning custom residential, commercial, restaurant, hospitality, and interior design projects, ranging in scale from small renovations to larger, more complex developments.
At the core of the firm’s work is a collaborative approach to design and project delivery, built on strong partnerships with clients, consultants, and builders. With a close-knit team of seven designers, Sherry & Associates fosters a supportive studio culture that values thoughtful design, attention to detail, and a healthy work-life balance. The firm is committed to creating high-quality, tailored design solutions for every project, regardless of size or scope. Learn more at: https://dawnsherry.com/

Lunch & Learn: Built for a lifetime, Permalock Aluminum Shingles
2026-06-17 12:00 - 13:00 | AIA Santa Barbara, 229 E Victoria St, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101, United States
June 24th | 12PM – 1PM | AIASB Chapter House
1 LU Pending
Lunch provided! No charge for members

Lunch & Learn: Built to last a lifetime, Permalock Aluminum Shingles
About
Join AIA Santa Barbara for an upcoming Lunch and Learn introducing Permalock Aluminum Shingles — an innovative roofing solution that combines the classic aesthetic of slate and wood shingles with the exceptional durability of aluminum. Ideal for coastal environments and projects where standing seam roofs are restricted, Permalock offers a compelling case for rethinking what a metal roof can look like.
Learning Objectives

Evaluate the fire-resistance properties of non-combustible aluminum roofing systems and their role in reducing risk in wildfire-prone and coastal environments, in support of occupant safety and community resilience.
Identify the structural safety implications of roofing material weight, and explain how lightweight aluminum shingle systems — at 40 lbs per 100 sq ft compared to 250 lbs for conventional shingles — reduce dead load and associated risk in building design.
Describe the health and environmental benefits of specifying fully recyclable, non-toxic roofing materials over petroleum-based products, including the long-term impact on material waste, air quality, and occupant well-being.
Apply knowledge of roofing material longevity and thermal performance to make informed specification decisions that support energy efficiency, reduce urban heat island effects, and contribute to the long-term safety and habitability of the built environment.

About CAP Metal Build
“Our company was founded on a simple conviction: most roofing systems are designed around replacement cycles, while metal roofing is designed around longevity. In an industry filled with shortcuts, misleading warranties, and temporary solutions, we have chosen a different path. The world of roofing is crowded with bad actors, and many homeowners have been conditioned to accept products marketed as “lifetime” systems that often fail long before a true lifetime ever arrives. Even many asphalt shingle manufacturers participate in this culture of misleading expectations. We refuse to. That is why we specialize in true lifetime metal roofing systems — roofs built to protect your home for decades, and in many cases, for the rest of your life. At CAP Metal Build, we do not believe in selling temporary roofing solutions unless there is absolutely no other option. We believe homeowners deserve honesty, transparency, and guidance that prioritizes long-term value over short-term convenience. We are roofers first, not sheet metal workers trying to become roofers. Our team understands roofing systems from the deck up: ventilation, waterproofing, flashing, structural integration, and the details that determine whether a roof performs beautifully for generations or slowly fails over time. That roofing-first philosophy allows us to install multiple types of metal roofing systems with precision, craftsmanship, and attention to detail.” – CAP Metal Build

Register today!

AIASB March General Meeting
2026-06-24 17:30 - 19:30 | CEC Environmental Hub, 1219 State St. Suite A, Santa Barbara, United States
1 LU Pending
Dinner and Panel Discussion

About
Join AIA Santa Barbara for the June General Meeting, featuring a panel discussion with Santa Barbara County Administrators on the forces shaping the region’s built environment and long-term future. The conversation will explore the county’s broader economic vision, its evolving approach to public-private partnerships, and the leadership transition ahead.
Panelists will share early outcomes from the county’s landmark permitting streamlining initiative, progress toward unincorporated housing goals, and what the new “Locals-First” housing mandate means in practice. The discussion will also examine the realities of plan-check and code enforcement, and how the county is working to close the gap between planning approvals and construction. The evening will close with a look at how transportation and housing strategy are being coordinated across the county’s diverse unincorporated communities — and what it all means for architects and the projects we build.
Dinner and drinks provided.
Register for the meeting!

July Women in Architecture Conversation Series
2026-07-07 17:30 - 19:30 | Deepwater Diving Monument, 132 Harbor Way #A, Santa Barbara, California, 93101
AIA Women in Architecture
Tuesday, July 7th
5:30 PM
Deepwater Diving Monument
132 Harbor Way #A, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
We hope you’ll join us for our monthly Women in Architecture gathering. This month, we Alexis Stypa will be leading a watercolor worksop at the Santa Barbara Harbor.

Recommended supplies (extra supplies will be provided as needed):
Watercolor paper / pad (140# paper preferred)
Transparent watercolor paints in pans, cakes, or tubes
Paint palette
Watercolor brushes (#10 or #12 round & #4 or #5 round)
Folding chair or blanket

About Alexis Stypa
Alexis Stypa is an architectural designer at Harrison Design and founder of Stypa Studio in Santa Barbara, CA. She received her masters from the Notre Dame School of Architecture, and before that studied humanities and mathematics at Ave Maria University. During a summer internship, she became interested in how beauty in both the natural and built environment affects the whole person. This interest led her to study architecture with a particular passion for sacred architecture and renewal in church design. Alexis is an avid free diver and aspiring naturalist. She grew up bringing her sketchbook along family adventures, and has since enjoyed being in a profession which her sketchbook is still very useful.
To learn more about Alexis, visit https://www.stypastudio.com/
Register for the watercolor workshop!

Emerging Professionals Open House at Michael G. Imber Architects
2026-07-16 17:30 - 19:30 | Michael G. Imber, 911 De La Vina St, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101, United States
1 LU
Refreshments and food provided

Their approach to architecture blends an appreciation for rugged, natural landscapes with an ordered classicism that explores how culture and environment shape the spaces we inhabit. Far from a standard design practice, Michael G. Imber Architects is driven by a commitment to character, material quality, and the belief that architecture should complement and elevate modern life.
This is a great opportunity for emerging professionals to connect with the team, view their portfolio, and gain insight into a design philosophy that is as thoughtful as it is distinctive.
“A photograph I once took of a small stone structure along Route 66, somewhere between Texas and New Mexico, sits on a shelf above my desk. It reminds me of a man toiling under the vast dome of the Southwestern sky, a nameless man, proudly placing one crooked stone upon another, until finally he could look with pride upon the simple, yet beautiful, building he had made. His life now long passed, he has left us with a gift, a small piece of our cultural landscape along a lonely, wind-blown stretch of highway.
Our buildings are influenced by all those who shape them. They embody the knowledge, pride, and passion of the carpenter, mason, and ironsmith. The buildings they build are a testament to their art and their sense of beauty, and it is their hand that remains long after they are gone. As with the long-lost soul who built the stone building along Route 66, the buildings we are left with embody their lives and spirit — a gift greater than any.”
–Michaelgimber.com
Reserve your spot!
