The demand for architects and interior designers who specialize in green residential, institutional and commercial building is on the rise as the public becomes more aware of the benefits of sustainable, energy efficient and environmentally friendly building.
Santa Barbara is known as one of the national leaders in the green building movement:
The Sustainability Project (TSP) is a local non-profit that focuses on the shifting of our built-up communities toward a growing harmony with nature and a healthier quality of life. Founded in 1993, TSP can be credited with helping Santa Barbara achieve this distinction. TSP has developed green building guidelines to help homeowners and building professionals implement a range of green practices in their projects. It has also provided “green consultations” for proposed development projects.
On Tuesday, January 31, 2007, the Santa Barbara City Council took a major step to confront the global warming crisis by voting unanimously to accept the Architecture 2030 Challenge, a plan that outlines how all buildings in the U.S. could be designed or retrofitted by 2030 to be "carbon neutral". The Challenge was presented in a resolution drafted by a coalition of local groups headed by Community Environmental Council and including the Santa Barbara Chapter of AIA, The Sustainability Project, the Santa Barbara Contractors Association, and Built Green Santa Barbara.
The annual Parade of Green Building gives the public an opportunity to view homes, businesses and landscapes that have been designed and built using the latest sustainable approaches. Among many other green building practices, these sites demonstrate use of building products made from recycled materials including wood, plastic and cement; renewable energy resources such as solar photovoltaic; and sustainable landscape practices. Ranging from a children’s garden at Monte Vista Elementary School, to a remodel of a 1,150 square foot 1920’s, Spanish style home on the lower Riviera, to an 8,000 square foot straw bale house in Montecito, the sites have features that will appeal to everyone’s interests.
Allen Associates
835 N. Milpas, Suite D
805.884.8777, www.dennisallenassociates.com
Allen Associates has been building green for over two decades. Allen Associates specializes in commercial and residential green construction in Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez, and Ventura. By focusing on environmentally sensitive building, they create healthier homes and offices – for you, your family, and the entire community.
Bren Hall (UCSB)
www.bren.ucsb.edu
Bren Hall received the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED™ Platinum Award - the highest certification possible - for being the "greenest" laboratory building in the United States. Bren Hall is a physically realized manifestation of the School's environmental programs and mission. Recognized by local, regional, and state governments, and the winner of several distinguished building, landscaping, and sustainability awards, the building is being used as a leading-edge model in the UC Regents' newly adopted Green Building Policy, which applies to all ten UC campuses statewide.
Building tours are given at 2pm the last Thursday of each month with the exception of November and December when tours take place on the third Thursday. Sign up via http://www.bren.ucsb.edu/about/tour.asp (note: if there are no sign-ups there is no tour, so registering is essential). Special tours for groups can be arranged by appointment via BJ Danetra: bjdanetra@bren.ucsb.edu.
Blackbird Architects
235 Palm Ave
805.957.1315, www.bbird.com
Founded to practice the highest quality and most sensitive design using common sense and economy of means, their office building has won several awards of excellence in design and environmental responsibility.
Building Green
The PBS television series "Building Green" features Santa Barbara-based producer and host Kevin Contreras. Building Green TV's mission is to provide homeowners with a glimpse of just how easy, cost-effective and healthy it is to go green, while dispelling the myth that an environmentally conscious lifestyle means doing without. Through the nationally-aired TV series, Kevin takes viewers on a highly personal journey, showing them exactly what it’s like for an “ordinary guy” to make the commitment to go green. buildinggreentv.com provides detailed how-to information and connects readers with resources. They also offer readers a place to share their own stories and tips, and to interact directly with Kevin himself and an ever-growing roster of green building mavens and experts.
County of Santa Barbara"Casa Nueva" Green Building
Calle Real between Turnpike and El Sueno Roads
The County of Santa Barbara's newest office, Casa Nueva, is a 28,000 square foot building designed by Blackbird Architects. The building houses 105 employees, a majority of whom work for the County Air Pollution Control District. Casa Nueva recently received the Award of High Honor in the in the Savings By Design Energy Efficiency Integration Design Award Program. Eight California buildings were honored, with the Casa Nueva Building the only one to receive the highest award. For more information on the award, see www.savingsbydesign.com/awards-2005/index.html.
Many of the features that make Casa Nueva an enjoyable place to work are also environmentally friendly and save money. For instance, Casa Nueva:
***Is designed to be 20% more efficient than 2001 Title 24 energy requirements.
***Cost less per square foot than other recent office buildings built by the County.
***Uses interior finish wood from sustainably harvested and 3rd party-certified forests.
***Required fewer watts of lighting per square foot than most buildings.
***Is surrounded by native, drought tolerant landscaping (except wisteria).
Visit the website for detailed information.
Elizabeth Wagner, B.A., GRI, ECO Broker
Village Properties
805.683.7388, www.SantaBarbaraEcoBroker.com
Santa Barbara's first Eco Broker (a nationally recognized real estate designation, www.ecobroker.com), Elizabeth Waldrop influences buyers and sellers in their green home choices and projects.
EcoBrokers are equipped with additional energy and environmental information and tools that help them provide added value to all of their real estate transactions. EcoBroker training helps real estate agents address the newest topics in real estate, such as green home certification programs like Energy Star Qualified Homes, energy-efficiency, and sustainable design. The EcoBroker designation also assists real estate agents in working through issues that may arise in real estate transactions, such as mold, radon, and poor indoor air quality, providing real solutions. EcoBrokers attract the green-minded consumer and provide valuable energy and environmental information to all types of clients. EcoBrokers understand the value of energy efficiency, environmental technologies, reduced liabilities, and sustainable design in real estate.
DeAnn Bauer
Realtor®/EcoBroker®
Notary Public/Property Management
Green Homes Santa Barbara
805.4517488, www.GreenHomesSB.com
The market for Green Homes and Green Building is getting a lot of attention nationally right now. Many people are surprised to learn that buildings are the single largest contributor to global warming. In the US, buildings are responsible for almost half (48%) of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions annually; globally the percentage is even greater. To address the Building Sector's role in climate change I have launched a resource-rich website to promote Green Homes in Santa Barbara. It is imperative we all do our part to educate the public on solutions that they can grasp and take action on, the time is now!
Green Building Alliance
805.654.4169, www.gballiance.com
A group of local architects, engineers, landscape architects, interior designers, contractors, and other professionals—many with award-winning credentials—who are committed to the design and building of environmentally friendly projects, the Green Building Alliance serves people who are looking for a way to demonstrate their concern for the environment by the way they build and live in their homes, offices, and the land. The Alliance promotes a design-build team approach from start to finish, incorporating more sustainable features and often reducing project costs. The Alliance has up to five members in each professional area. Clients interview individual members and compose a team to their liking. Additionally, Alliance members may be contacted individually for specialized projects.
John D. Kelley Architect
1228 San Miguel Ave Santa Barbara
805.963.1013, www.jdkaia.com
Award-winning architect John D. Kelley specializes in environmentally friendly design. His mission is to encourage his clients, colleagues, and community to live and build in a sustainable manner.
K E N T M I X O N a r c h i t e c t
805.899.2528, www.kentmixonarchitect.com
Livingreen Store & Gallery
218 Helena Avenue
805.966.1319, www.livingreen.com
Showcases both artistic design and innovative environmental sustainability in its products, including a great selection of “green” building materials, home furnishings and more.
Lawrence Thompson, Architects Inc.
805.962.2236
Comprehensive design resource for conserving and solar buildings since 1973. Winner of California Passive Solar Competition.
Oasis Design
805.967.9956,www.oasisdesign.com
Ecological systems design, graywater systems design.
Poirier + David Architects
156 West Alamar
805.682.8894, www.gballiance.com/poirierdavid.html
As a founding member of the Green Building Alliance, Poirier + David Architects strongly advocates the principles of environmental building. The use of non-toxic construction materials or of those with a high recycled content, energy-efficient design, mixed use projects and the creation of pedestrian-accessible urban spaces all play an important role in the firm’s work. Poirier + David Architects’ professional commitment to green building is mirrored by its community involvement in environmental issues. Both principals are active on the board of The Sustainability Project (TSP) and have participated in many TSP workshops and design charettes. Together, they have organized green building product expositions at two recent environment-oriented events: the Designing for Sustainable Communities Symposium in 1994 and the Green Building Now Conference in 1996.
Roy Prince
Roy Prince Architect consults with homeowners, contractors and developers on healthy building materials. Roy Prince is an architectural design studio dedicated to green architecture. They use state of the art design perspectives, along with healthy and resourceful materials. Their goal is to combine client needs with a sustainable design, using “eco-friendly” processes to create beautiful homes that are sensitive to the environment.
Sage Associates
805.969.0557, www.sageassociates.net
Environmental and agricultural consultants; electromagnetic field consulting. Low EMF design in buildings, lighting and construction.
Santa Barbara Contractors Association Built Green Program
Built Green Santa Barbara is a voluntary environmental building program that distinguishes and promotes resource efficient development, design, and construction. Green building practices go beyond energy and water conservation to incorporate environmentally sensitive site planning, resource efficient building materials and superior indoor environmental quality. The program offers detailed information, materials, and a checklist rating system to help participants. The checklist serves as a guide in making hundreds of decisions that are a usual part of the building process. Built Green is a network of architects, builders, developers, subcontractors, suppliers, lenders, and real estate agents working together to improve quality of life in Santa Barbara.
Sustainable Architecture, Building and Culture
An informative online resource for green building information including products, design, and more.
Thompson Naylor Architects
805.966.9807, www.thompsonnaylor.com
900 Philinda Avenue, Santa Barbara
Since 1985, architects Dennis Thompson and Susette Naylor have worked with individuals and institutions to design and build hundreds of new and remodeled projects. Our mission is to help create beautiful places, while strengthening community and protecting nature. Both Dennis and Susette are LEED Accredited Professionals.
Verde Zone
Creating Environmentally Healthy Spaces
805.448.8995, www.verdezone.com
Verde Zone is an eco-consulting service in Santa Barbara that educates people on the importance of environmentally healthyspaces and provides solutions to reducing toxins in homes and offices.
Watershed Resource Center
2981 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara
805.682.6113, www.communityenvironmentalcouncil.org
June-August Tuesday-Sunday 10:00 a.m. -6:00 p.m.; September-May Tuesday-Friday 12:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
A CEC center for watershed resource education, research and hands-on learning.
Wilson Environmental Landscape Design
Contact: Daniel Wilson, 805-957-4729
We design and install quality landscapes by working with nature, for people.
We seek to enhance the client's interaction with nature by designing
landscapes that benefit both the client and the surrounding ecosystems.
Our projects range from complete landscape renovations to individual water features.
Photo credits: DonaldBren School, UCSB; Nik Wheeler; Casa Nueva, County Air Pollution Control District.
