AIA Santa Barbara

March Madness Mixer @ The Brass Bear
2025-03-27 17:30 - 19:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Third Window Brewing, 406 E Haley St #3, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101, United States

Women in Architecture
2025-04-01 17:30 - 18:45, 2025-05-06 17:30 - 18:45

Emerging Professionals ARE Study Prep
2025-04-08 18:15 - 20:15, 2025-04-22 18:15 - 20:15, 2025-05-06 18:15 - 20:15, 2025-05-20 18:15 - 20:15, 2025-06-10 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-06-24 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-07-08 18:15 - 20:15, 2025-07-22 18:15 - 20:15 and 2 more dates | AIA Santa Barbara, 229 E Victoria St, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101, United States
Open to all!
Study groups occur every 2 weeks.

Stego Industries Lunch & Learn
2025-04-16 12:00 - 13:00 | AIA Santa Barbara, 229 E Victoria St, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101, United States
Vapor Barriers – Nuisance or Necessity?
1 LU/HSW
Lunch Provided! No charge for members
Join us for the next AIASB Lunch & Learn presented by Stego Industries. This event provides an in-depth look at below-slab moisture and vapor protection. The program will examine building material failures, concrete degradation, property loss, negative health effects, and the liability associated with below-slab moisture intrusion. Moreover, the seminar is designed to update attendees on current standards and recommendations from ASTM, ACI, and PCA, as well as flooring and concrete experts from the industry. Questions about vapor retarders vs. vapor barriers, the use of poly/Visqueen, the location of the vapor barrier, radon gas, concrete moisture testing, concrete drying, and effective installation will all be addressed.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
After attending the session, attendees will know how to design an overall system to help prevent moisture related problems such as: floor covering failures, mold issues, concrete drying concerns, and much more.
Attendees will learn about the most recent standards and industry-expert recommendations in the Vapor Barrier industry, including ASTM standards, ACI recommendations and contributions to sustainable construction.
In addition, attendees will know and be able to explain the difference between a Vapor Retarder and a Vapor Barrier and know how to specify each.

Firm Open House at Wade Weismann Architecture
2025-04-17 17:30 - 19:30 | Wade Weismann Architecture, 1025 Castillo St, Santa Barbara, 93101, United States
About Wade Weissmann Architecture
For nearly three decades we’ve delighted in the relationships we’ve made and the architecture we’ve been privileged to bring to life.
Our approach is decidedly hands-on and interactive.Throughout the design and construction process, our team remains dedicated to understanding not only how you want to live but also the emotional impact your project will evoke as you move from space to space. Our purpose and passion reside in creating architectural environments so beautifully imagined you can’t recall how you once lived another way.
The cornerstone of our practice is our bespoke architecture work, spanning homes, equestrian estates, cabins, commercial hospitality design, and master planning.
Our firm is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with additional full-service offices in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Santa Barbara, California, servicing our clientele from coast to coast.
We work collaboratively together as one team on projects nationwide and worldwide.

Hard Hat Tour with Donaldson Plus
2025-05-07 16:00 - 17:00
Nine Fold House
The Nine Fold House is a residence shaped by the dynamic geology of coastal California, where the Pacific Plate grinds against the North American Plate, sculpting a landscape of dramatic beauty and persistent natural forces. Anchored in concrete, its form responds to the shifting terrain, with projected volumes framing views and extending lines into the horizon. A rhythmic organization of space encourages an indoor-outdoor experience, allowing the hillside to flow through its voids and engage with the surrounding orchards. Inspired by abstract screenprints, its grid carves mass with light and shadow, reflecting the resilience and adaptability required to build in a landscape shaped by earthquakes, wildfires, and time itself.
Tour will be led by Robin Donaldson, AIA & Matt Beausoleil, AIA

Architect: Donaldson and Partners, Robin Donaldson, AIA
Construction Company: Peter McCoy Construction
Construction Manager: Stonemark
Landscape Architect: GroundStudio
Interior Designer: Madeline Suart and Associates
Structural Engineer: Ashley and Vance.

Floodproofing Lunch & Learn
2025-05-21 12:00 - 13:00 | AIA Santa Barbara, 229 E Victoria St, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101, United States
Floodplain Design, Construction, and Impacts on Flood Insurance
1 LU/HSW
Lunch Provided! No charge for members
This course provides insight into the importance of proper foundation flood vents and dry floodproofing techniques for buildings located in a flood zone. It will identify FEMA Technical Bulletins 1, 2, and 3, the National Flood Insurance Program, ASCE 24-14, ICC, and Building Code regulations and standards as they relate to sustaining foundations and overall business continuity in flood hazard areas. The course will also analyze the role of building compliance in securing lowering flood insurance rates and what mitigationsolutions are available for both residential and non residential structures. After the course, participants will have a thorough understanding of floodproofing options and the important role they play in designing a sustainable structure.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Describe floods and the potential hazards to buildings.
Explain the differences between wet and dry floodproofing techniques.
Define the differences in engineered and non-engineered flood openings and their ability to ensure resilient structures.
Active vs. passive floodproofing solutions and the overall impact of ownership.

Hard Hat Tour: Romero Canyon Residence
2025-05-22 16:00 - 18:30
Romero Canyon Residence
Nestled into an 11-acre site, this Hacienda style Spanish Colonia Revival residence, which was originally built in 1930, still retains much of the character from its original design. A central courtyard links together a series of 5 bedrooms, a service hall with kitchen and dining, and a living room that steps out to a south-facing terrace with spectacular ocean views. While performing much needed repairs and bringing in elements of modern conveniences, the owners made it clear that they intend to maintain, and in some cases restore, those features that embody the character that enticed them in the first place. In the process of renovating this residence, we were called to embrace the imperfections and subtle details.
Tour will be led by Richard Carney, Erika Kessler, and Paul Rubison

Architect & Landscape Architect: Appleton Partners, LLP
Contractor: DD Ford
Interior Designer: Kathryn Ireland

Watercolor Class with Alex Stypa
2025-06-03 17:30 - 18:45
Tuesday, June 3rd @ 5:30 PM
Watercolor Class with Alexis Stypa
https://www.stypastudio.com/

Firm Open House at Ashley & Vance Engineering
2025-06-12 17:30 - 19:30 | Ashley and Vance, 210 E Cota St, Santa Barbara, 93101, United States
About Ashley & Vance Engineering
Since 2005, Ashley & Vance Engineering (AV) has helped turn creative ideas into buildable projects by combining real-world construction knowledge with practical engineering. Our project teams are known for delivering cost-effective, on-time designs shaped by the hands-on experience of our principals. We’re good listeners who put ourselves in our clients’ shoes to find the best path forward—together.
With skilled people and the latest tools, we offer the resources of a larger firm with the efficiency of a smaller one. Our strong local presence in each of our office locations helps us build lasting relationships and deliver thoughtful solutions. We provide civil and structural engineering services from entitlements to construction documents, with experience across a wide range of project types, including housing, multifamily, RCFE, hotels, wineries, resorts, public works, infrastructure, industrial, education, OSHPD, DSA, and aerospace.

KBKG Lunch & Learn
2025-06-18 12:00 - 13:00 | AIA Santa Barbara, 229 E Victoria St, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101, United States
Energy Policy Act (EPACT) and Architecture
1 LU
Lunch Provided! No charge for members
Join us for a discussion of the section 179D Deduction and how it can benefit architectural firms. We will be discussing the background of this powerful green building deduction as well as the recent changes created by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. This will include details about both the expansion and the increased impact of 179D going forward. We will also discuss the alternative qualification path known as the Retrofit Program and what this new path means for Architects, building owners, and other designers of buildings. Attendees will also learn who is eligible to receive these benefits, what is required as part of the qualification calculations, and which green energy strategies are eligible.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

-Overview of the 179D Deduction
-Overview of the Retrofit Program for 179D
-The expansion and the increased impact of 179D in future years
-What the Inflation Reduction Act means for building owners and designers of buildings
-How to qualify for the bonus rate (up to $5.00 per square foot) vs. the base rate (up to $1.00 per square foot)

AIASB General Meeting
2025-06-19 17:30 - 20:00 | Fox Wine Co., 120 Santa Barbara St, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101, United States
June 19th
5.30PM-8.30PM
Appetizers Provided
Join us for an exciting and relaxed evening at our upcoming general meeting, hosted by Fox Wine Co! Whether you’re a long-time member or new to the chapter, this is a great opportunity to meet and connect with fellow architecture and design professionals.

1925 Earthquake Symposium
2025-06-29 17:00 - 20:00

Women in Architecture with Stephanie Campbell
2025-07-01 17:30 - 18:45
Tuesday, July 1st @ 5:30 PM
Location: La Lieff Winery
Stephanie Campbell, Project Manager of Projects General Construction
Stephanie is a native of Santa Barbara and a graduate of UCSB. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Cultural Anthropology and Environmental Studies, she moved to Vail, Colorado, where she designed interior spaces and cabinetry for high-end homes and resorts. Fifteen years later she made her way back to Santa Barbara and brought her talent and experience to Projects. She’ll be sharing about her career path and her experience working in construction.

Global Design Series: From Andalusia to Santa Barbara
2025-07-09 18:00 - 19:30 | AIA Santa Barbara, 229 E Victoria St, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101, United States
Join us for a compelling presentation where Emerging Professionals share their perspectives on architectural trends shaping the U.S. and the world. Each session features a presentation by one of our Emerging Professionals, followed by an open discussion exploring the architectural trend through the lens of Santa Barbara, California. This is an opportunity to foster dialogue between young voices and the broader architectural community on the global influences that shape our built environment. Our goal is to get everyone involved and participating in the conversation.

Please join us as Raphael Wendt discusses how Andalusia integrates modern design with its historic architectural style. He looks forward to exploring with you how we can once again learn from Andalusia.

Women in Architecture
2025-08-05 17:30 - 19:00 | Santa Barbara Courthouse, 1100 Anacapa St., Santa Barbara, United States
Join us for a watercolor class at the Sunken Gardens at the Santa Barbara Courthouse for our August WIA gathering with Alexis Stypa, architectural designer at Harrison Design and founder of Stypa Studio. Alexis is experienced in architectural and landscape watercolors and has led workshops across the world. We will meet at the Sunken Gardens at 5:30pm. We will have extra blankets and supplies but encourage you to bring any personal painting supplies and folding chair to be comfortable. In case of inclement weather, we will email the registrants with an alternate interior location.

Global Design Series: Singapore's Progressive Urban Planning
2025-08-13 18:00 - 19:30 | Mission Audio Video, 1910 De La Vina St, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101, United States
Join us for a compelling presentation where Emerging Professionals share their perspectives on architectural trends shaping the U.S. and the world. Each session features a presentation by one of our Emerging Professionals, followed by an open discussion exploring the architectural trend through the lens of Santa Barbara, California. This is an opportunity to foster dialogue between young voices and the broader architectural community on the global influences that shape our built environment. Our goal is to get everyone involved and participating in the conversation.

Please, join us on August 13th as Sreypich Ly dives into Singapore’s architectural history and its progressive urban planning, with a focus on the innovative public housing, HDB model. We invite you to share your ideas, insights, and input on how Singapore’s creative policies, mixed-use planning, and transit-oriented development can inspire a more inclusive and vibrant future for Santa Barbara. Come connect, discuss, and help shape our community’s vision!

Lunch & Learn: Designed to Disappear
2025-08-20 12:00 - 13:00 | AIA Santa Barbara, 229 E Victoria St, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101, United States
Designed to Disappear
Presented by Sonance
This course will introduce the builder, designer, or architect to the benefits of hiding technology into the design and architecture of a project. The course will begin by defining the luxury experience in residential design. It will then dive deeper into audio and lighting as elements that influence the luxury experience. Finally, the course will present solutions for hiding these and other technologies into design and architecture.
Learning Objectives
-To define the luxury experience in the residential space.
-To draw parallels between lighting and audio design.
-To establish audio as a benefit to the way people experience their homes.
-To explore solutions and ways to hide technology into architecture and interior design.

Emerging Professionals Firm Open House with Studio 7
2025-08-21 17:30 - 19:30 | Studio 7 Architecture & Allied Arts, 112 East De La Guerra Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101, United States
About Studio 7
Studio 7 was established to provide a collaborative design environment with a focus on local residential projects . Architectural solutions are enriched through experiences in allied arts including furniture, hardware and lighting. A technical and artistic compliment to each project is assembled from established partnerships. We maintain a small staff of balanced and complimentary skills. The single team model allows us to provide intimate personal service to carefully selected projects.

Hard Hat Tour: Park Hill Lane
2025-08-27 17:00 - 18:00
Park Hill Lane
Experience an exclusive behind-the-walls tour of a hillside custom residence by Studio William Hefner. Featuring 18’ retaining walls, butterfly roof framing, extensive structural steel, solar power, a backup generator, and a ¼-mile driveway, this project offers a masterclass in modern hillside construction. Attendees will gain firsthand insight into advanced MEP installations, review detailed framing inspections, and explore the strategic positioning of a home on challenging terrain.

Eric Johnson with Allen Construction and Karl Kraus with SWH

Architect: Studio William Hefner, Karl Kraus, AIA
Construction Company: Allen Contruction
