According to an L.A. Times article published today… “After more than a year of meager activity, the nation’s architects reported a growing number of new contracts in October from builders preparing to get real estate developments off the ground.

It was the highest level of new business for the nation’s architects since August 2008, a report from the American Institute of Architects says.”

While most of the new construction is attributed to institutional projects such as schools, government buildings and healthcare facilities and then multifamily residential developments, it is a positive sign for the industry. Read more.

Young Construction is proud to receive the annual award from Santa Barbara Beautiful in the category of Multiple Dwellings. Please visit the project portfolio here.

Santa Barbara Beautiful is an organization of volunteers dedicated to beautifying our area in a variety of ways not only by working independently but also by cooperating with city departments, neighborhood associations and other agencies. Formed in 1965 by concerned civic leaders, Santa Barbara Beautiful is a non-political, non-profit, tax-exempt corporation.

Young Construction is pleased to announce the completion of our most recent building project for the Hutton Foundation.

The fully renovated 2-story, 12k sq. ft. Arts & Culture Center, located at 1330 State Street, provides administrative offices space for more than ten local nonprofit arts & culture, performing arts and arts education organizations. In addition to office space there is a state-of-the art shared conference room, a kitchen/staff break room, outdoor terraces and other shared common spaces.

Organizations currently moving into the new building are:

• The Granada
• Santa Barbara Symphony
• Santa Barbara Dance Alliance
• Santa Barbara Vocal Jazz Foundation
• Santa Barbara Choral Society
• Santa Barbara Education Foundation
• Music Academy of the West
• Patricia Henley Foundation
• Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra
• Opera Santa Barbara

Bob and his '53 Chevy

At this past Saturdays Goovin in The Grove Car Show held at the Goleta Elks Lodge, Bob won 1st in class for trucks 1949 to Present category. Not bad for his 1st show!

Bob’s 1953 Chevy pick-up truck was restored back in 2003 to it’s original show room condition. The restoration ran a little bit more than the original sicker price of $1,200.00 but was a great experience. The frame-off project took only 9 months to complete with the help from his friends, Dick Compton (client) and Bill Lenvik (Young Construction employee).

We’re proud of Annie Dahlgren, a 15 year veteran of Young Construction where she contributed her musical talent for a fund raiser for the Brothers of Mount Calvary who lived and worked at a beautiful retreat house on Mountain Drive that burned in the Tea House fire.

The brothers lost their home and their livelihood and have been taken in for the time being by the Sister of St. Mary’s retreat house just behind the Old Mission.

The funds raised went 100% to the brothers, including the money from selling coffee and refreshments.  It was just intended to be money for them to spend on groceries or clothes or whatever they needed.  The crowd was about 160 people, a good time was had by all.

Other performers were Kate Wallace, Sonnie Brown and Annie Gallup with accompaniment by Jimmy McVay, Peter Gallway and Douglas Clegg. Photo by: Michael Kramer.

If you’d like to help the brothers rebuild the Mount Calvary Retreat House visit their website here.

Montecito Residence designed by Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects’ is a single-family home set in the fire-prone Toro Canyon.

The owners wanted a house that minimized its use of scarce natural resources and recognized the challenging environmental conditions of the area. The design solution was to create a house that could harvest the climatic conditions which make the site so dangerous - the sun and the wind: a house that functions as an umbrella to shield the house from the sun and allows naturally cool offshore breezes to move through the space.
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April 2009
Montecito Residence
Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects

By Ingrid Spencer

Last November in Montecito, California, wildfire consumed almost 2,000 acres, destroying over 100 homes. It wasn’t the first major fire in the area, and it won’t be the last. An arid climate, high winds, scrubby vegetation, and rugged coastal terrain all contribute to the fire-prone nature of the area. And yet, the region’s beauty and proximity to Santa Barbara and Los Angeles make it a highly desirable address.

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