Santa Barbara | An Architectural Icon on the Central Coast
The American Riviera, a Gem of the Central Coast, Paradise on the Pacific — Santa Barbara has long been recognized as one of California’s most treasured communities to visit for a weekend or enjoy a lifetime. Nestled between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, our town is known for its pristine beaches, top-tier universities, temperate climate, world-class surf, and iconic architectural style. Since the onset of Covid in early 2020, the real estate market has continued to perform exceptionally well; home sales in 2021 reached the highest level in 15 years, and the market for new designs remains strong. As Santa Barbara architects, we’ve been fortunate to participate in the re-development of our city’s cultural centers and custom residences. DMHA considers the marketplace's success as a meaningful opportunity for inspiring architecture, building long-lasting relationships with clients and industry partners.
New Perceptions of Home
Since dramatically shifting daily life in early 2020, the pandemic has impacted people’s perception of community and place. As working remotely becomes the new norm, more families realize their dream destinations are in reach. Captivated by Santa Barbara’s beauty, style, and beach town charm, many professionals are maintaining their business presence in major commercial centers while moving their families from San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York.
The Cultural Boom
Santa Barbara has quietly climbed the ranks in cultural intrigue and technology relevance in recent years. From Michelin Star restaurants to innovative tech companies, the town combines the vibrancy of a metropolitan city with a relaxed, casual lifestyle. The local wine and restaurant industries continue to grow while an expanding art scene draws in creatives. Simply put, Santa Barbara’s long-kept secrets are capturing national attention and bringing in new residents from around the world.
A Growing Community
As the community evolves, expands, and re-develops, the influx of new residents has positively influenced Santa Barbara’s cultural narrative, creating a need for resident-serving commercial venues in the heart of our community. The Funk Zone revitalization, Lower State Street redevelopment, and Goleta reinvestment drive the real estate market while architects and contractors see record highs in project numbers and values. DMHA embraces this new chapter in Santa Barbara’s history as a positive opportunity for quality architectural planning and design.
Designing for the Future
Our firm is privileged to work with exceptional clients, consultants and collaborators located throughout the world. This unique opportunity of teaming with best-in-class associates accelerates our firm to produce large, complex projects with timeless design elegance. Building upon our thirty years of professional practice and extensive experience, DMHA strives to remain on the innovative edge. New visual technologies and online conferencing tools allow us to inform, educate and inspire our clients with design decisions in real time. Working with our strongest and most talented team yet, we are thrilled to be involved in the next chapter of Santa Barbara’s story.