{"id":10622,"date":"2010-10-12T12:16:59","date_gmt":"2010-10-12T19:16:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=10622"},"modified":"2020-10-12T12:46:52","modified_gmt":"2020-10-12T19:46:52","slug":"get-up-close-and-personal-with-architecture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=10622","title":{"rendered":"Get Up Close and Personal with Architecture"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Brian<\/a>

Brian Hofer points out details on the
Architectural Foundation tour. Photo by Leslie Dinaberg.<\/p><\/div>\n

To experience Santa Barbara architecture in all its\u00a0glory, there\u2019s nothing like strolling through town with an expert\u00a0by your side to point out the rich history and international artistic\u00a0influences that aren\u2019t readily visible to the untrained eye.<\/p>\n

Every weekend, trained docents from Architectural Foundation\u00a0of Santa Barbara<\/a> (www.afsb.org\/tours_m.html<\/a>, 805\/965-6307)\u00a0take both locals and tourists on walking journeys through the\u00a0hidden courtyards, secret fountains and original adobes of downtown,\u00a0focusing on architectural styles, significant and historic\u00a0buildings, aesthetics and landscape history, as well as details like\u00a0handmade tiles, wrought iron, stonework, balconies, doorways,\u00a0archways and plantings.<\/p>\n

The Sabado (Saturday) Tour starts in\u00a0front of city hall and takes guests on a tour of De la Guerra Plaza<\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>historic De la Guerra Adobe<\/a>, El Paseo<\/a>, Hill-Carrillo Adobe<\/a>,\u00a0Meridian Studios<\/a>, Lobero Theatre<\/a> and more. The Domingo\u00a0(Sunday) Tour, which starts at the Central Library<\/a>, focuses on\u00a0historic art and architecture of downtown Santa Barbara as it was\u00a0reborn after the 1925 earthquake, including the library and its\u00a0famous murals, La Arcada Court<\/a>, the historic Arlington<\/a>, The\u00a0Granada<\/a> and other architectural delights. You\u2019ll also learn about\u00a0Santa Barbara\u2019s architectural history and how the Women\u2019s\u00a0League and Pearl Chase<\/a> forced us to maintain architectural\u00a0integrity, beautiful public park spaces and rich landscapes. Both\u00a0tours start at 10 a.m. and last about 1-1 \/2\u00a0<\/span> hours. The foundation\u00a0asks for a $10 donation per person, and proceeds go toward\u00a0scholarships and other community programs.<\/p>\n

Walking Wednesdays with Santa\u00a0Barbara Walks is a clever new way to get\u00a0some after-work exercise and experience\u00a0the beauty of our local environment. The\u00a0group, which is a project of COAST\u00a0(Coalition for Sustainable Transportation<\/a>,\u00a0805\/875-3562), meets at 5:30 p.m. on the\u00a0fourth Wednesday of every month and\u00a0features a different theme and location\u00a0each time. One walk included a tour\u00a0through the upper eastside with architect\u00a0Anthony Grumbine<\/a> of Harrison Design\u00a0Associates<\/a>, beginning with a walkthrough\u00a0of the historic Winsor Soule\u00a0Hodges Residence<\/a> (currently The Fielding\u00a0Institute), a 1920s Spanish colonial revival\u00a0estate, which was once the most expensive\u00a0home built in Santa Barbara. The expedition\u00a0also journeyed through a wonderful\u00a0variety of architecture styles, including a\u00a0Francis Underhill<\/a> stripped classicism\u00a0design, a Richard Neutra<\/a> mid-century\u00a0modern, French Norman and Dutch\u00a0colonial, as well as the many architectural\u00a0hybrids. Previous walks included an art\u00a0walk with Ellen Durham, an architectural\u00a0tour of El Andaluz<\/a> with Jeff Shelton<\/a>, trees\u00a0of Santa Barbara with Bob Muller and a\u00a0historical tour with Brian Hofer. Walking\u00a0Wednesdays are free; visit www.coastsantabarbara.org\/category\/santa-barbarawalks\/\u00a0<\/a>for information on monthly\u00a0locations and themes.<\/p>\n

\"Originally<\/a>

Cover photo by Jim Bartsch.<\/p><\/div>\n

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine<\/em><\/a>, Fall 2010. Cover photo by Jim Bartsch<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Share this:<\/h3>