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"Creating a unique, luxury guitar store felt like a clear goal, but translating that vision into reality seemed daunting. Thankfully, I found the perfect collaborators in Clay Aurell and AB design studios. They took my scribbled notes, hand-drawn pictures, and a ridiculously deep vision board and transformed them into a truly remarkable store. Their design was nominated for international retail store design awards every year. But the impact goes beyond accolades. AB Designs took a blank space in Santa Barbara and helped infuse it with the spirit of art, community, and, of course, music. This high-end, high-touch haven became an inspiration for other stores worldwide, influencing music store design from coast to coast. Seeing my dream evolve into something even more incredible was a remarkable experience. I deeply appreciate Clay Aurell and the AB design team for their expertise and dedication. They helped me realize a dream that continues to inspire others."
- Jamie Faletti, Realtor
"Clay Aurell of AB design studio designed our home from the ground up. He was very professional and easy to work with. When we wanted changes in the design, he quickly made the changes to suit our needs. We would definitely have him design our next home. We get many compliments on our home, and we enjoy living in it."
- William Armbruster
"AB Design, and Eric Behr especially, provide thorough and detailed service. They are responsive, patient, creative and meticulous."
- Whitney Collie
"After building and developing for the past 21 years, I have never found a firm as professional and well equipped as AB Design Studio. Clay, Josh and Eric have an incredible amount of experience and respect in their industry. I have had the pleasure of sitting at the table with them for several projects and they are some of the best there is. I highly recommend you invest your time wisely and hire AB Design Studio to handle your project. Time and money very well spent."
- Philip Pennestri, General Contractor
"This was our first experience working with an architectural firm and we are so happy that we found AB design studios. Everyone that we worked with and met from Clay and Eric to Justin and other team members provided a great experience for us. We always felt that AB design had our best interests in mind as they worked on our project and worked through the Santa Barbara permitting process. We look forward to finishing the construction phase so that we can enjoy what we expect to be a great addition to our home. Thanks everyone!"
- Arnie Sanders
"We worked with AB to update a commercial space in downtown Santa Barbara, and they did a great job. We were on a strict budget, and they were very good about keeping their design and recommendations to our budget. They listened to what we needed and helped us reshape our existing space to meet all of our requirements. I would highly recommend."
- Dan Sperling
"AB Design Studio is a visionary architecture and design firm known for its innovative and sustainable approach. Their work seamlessly blends creativity with functionality, resulting in stunning, well-crafted spaces. With a strong commitment to excellence and a keen eye for detail, the team consistently delivers high-quality designs that enhance communities and inspire those who experience them. Their expertise spans various industries, making them a go-to choice for clients seeking cutting-edge architectural solutions."
- Ignacio Galardo
"AB Design Studio was a fantastic partner in designing and building our home in Venice Beach, CA. During the design process we had frequent meetings with the principal designers, who addressed both our design needs and cost concerns. The permitting process was of course difficult here in Los Angeles, but the project manager was able to make quick changes and updates to the plans when needed to shorten any delays. And once construction started, the project manager (and the rest of the team) was on site, involved and in constant communication with the builder and subcontractors. The end result is a fantastic home that our kids have grown up in. The design takes advantage of the Mediterranean beach weather with the large folding doors into the backyard. I'm looking forward to our next ADU project with the team!"
- Brennan Lindner
"I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside Josh, Clay, and their talented team on several projects, and it’s clear that their experience, professionalism, and creativity are second to none. As a landscape architect, I deeply value their collaborative approach, which fosters an environment where innovative ideas can thrive—something you don’t always find. They have a strong understanding of Santa Barbara's unique permitting challenges and navigate them with ease, ensuring the process moves forward without a hitch. Beyond their technical expertise, their ability to stay calm under pressure and maintain a great sense of humor is invaluable, especially when dealing with the inevitable stress that comes with any project. Their commitment to excellence and teamwork truly sets them apart in the industry. I wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone in search of a perfect blend of architectural brilliance and practical design."
-Keir Smith, BOSKY Landscape Architecture
“For the past 7 years our team at Young Construction has had the good fortune to collaborate and build some amazing projects with AB design studio. Through a partnership in both residential and commercial work, we’ve been consistently impressed with their innovative designs and attention to detail, always exceeding the client’s expectations. From a builder’s perspective, successful projects begin by working with resourceful professionals who communicate while coming together to address project challenges with an open mind in a timely manner….AB design studio definitely fits that bill. For those who love great design and successful outcomes, I highly recommend Clay, Josh and the AB design studio team.
“What appeals to us about building a home is constructing something that reflects our own preferences, nuances, and sensibilities and that hopefully creates a lasting legacy to be enjoyed for years by our family and then by those that live there in the years to come. Specifically, we wanted a structure that had high impact visual appeal, that blended into the landscape, and at a high enough elevation would create the perception when the morning fog rolled in of a 'house in the clouds.' From the house we wanted a diversity of views and vantage points including the ocean, the mountains and the city below. Around the house we wanted a degree of seclusion. We looked at several properties that fit these criteria so, when it came to making a decision, we really needed to understand whether or not what we wanted to do was actually feasible. That is where Clay and his team came in. They performed drone surveys and due diligence pulling all the applicable reports and provided recommendations based on our goals. They even did a very rough preliminary design so we could really envision what was possible. The information they provided allowed us to confidently pull the trigger on a purchase.”
- Joe Leveque - Homeowner
“Often my clients are starting from square one without even having a lot picked out, only general ideas of what they may want to build. I highly recommend working with Clay, Principal Owner of AB design studio. Apart from being able to create and execute beautiful building plans, he is incredibly knowledgeable about the entire process from purchase to permitting; has extensive experience working with all the builders in town; and can basically answer any question or concern you or your client may have related to any building. If you're a REALTOR, he basically sells the land for you! --as long as it can facilitate the client's ultimate building goals. Clay and the AB design studio team do a wonderful job listening to client's preferences and provide realistic guidance on whether the desired outcome can be achieved based on budget, proposed land, and any other goals the client has.”
- Kami Love, Residential Realtor - Santa Barbara Brokers
"I am writing to share my gratitude for your work and collaboration in the final design and construction of MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation. When I arrived to work for MOXI in March 2015 I joined a project already in progress; 19 days after I arrived, our foundation was poured, and we were officially out of the ground. I was encouraged in meeting with your team – primarily, both of you and the Project Captain, Aramis Arciga – that the architect-client relationship was in good shape and would be one of clear, continuous, open communication. Over the course of the 2 plus years until completion of our building, I found those initial impressions to be accurate, with two key additions: your dedication to creating a top-notch public facility that would, itself, draw visitors to see; and your ability to relate to our organization’s needs as the project progressed and our needs evolved."
"It is a pleasure to write a recommendation for Clay Aurell and the AB Design Studio architectural firm. We have been working with AB Design Studio since October 2006 on a remodel project for our 1950's house and have nothing but positive things to say about this firm and their staff. Clay is a rare combination of an architect who is both creative and an absolute master of details. We have been very impressed by the skillful way in which he maximized the amount of square feet in our house while creating some really beautiful features, like the imaginative entryway to the house. At the same time, he is compulsive about details such as soils analysis and even placement of electrical outlets. He is also a shrewd negotiator with County Planning and City regulatory boards--ask him about the Great Fire Hydrant Controversy which he managed very well for us. He has kept the project on schedule, in steady progression, and close to the original budget. AB design studio is a young and rapidly growing firm; its associates are competent and cheerful. We would have no hesitation in recommending the firm and its associates to any client, residential or commercial with any level of complexity."
"I built a large contemporary home in Hope Ranch. The home was completed in 2003. The architects responsible for the design of the house were Robin Donaldson and Jorge Adler. Clay Aurell was at the time employed by Robin Donaldson. Clay was the architect in charge of the day-to-day monitoring of the construction of the home. Both, me and my wife interacted with Clay on a regular basis. Clay was competent, professional and a pleasure to deal with. He was respected by all the subcontractors on the project who continually sought his advice. If I was to construct another home I would not hesitate in hiring Clay as the architect."
"Josh is an excellent, creative architect that combines a modern understanding of architecture with a good understanding of classic Santa Barbara style. He has done extensive remodeling work for us as well as worked on the design of a new beach house. highly recommended!"
"I have had the privilege of working with AB Design Studio since the inception of my project last year. I am a dentist and after working many years as an associate, I wanted to take things that I knew didn’t work in other offices and make it work in mine. In my opinion office design is one of the most integral aspects of a successful office. Patients judge the space before talking to staff or dentists. Space is part of corporate identity. In addition, efficiency of repetitious tasks performed in the office is closely related to the harmonious and creative union of spatial components. Efficiency precedes productivity. My intimate involvement in the project was on top of my list of criteria in choosing an architectural firm. A close second was cost. Dental design groups are mostly concerned about selling equipment and the architecture comes to them almost like an afterthought. They have a “we know better” attitude that isolates the dentist from the process. The enthusiasm and commitment of AB Studios in contributing to my vision was incredible. I have spent many hours in their studio going over solutions to unique challenges presented by the City, the space and my own financial limitations. At the end, they took what I had envisioned and made it better. I am grateful to them for their talents and their integrity."
"Clay, I visited the Exeter job site last week and was impressed to say the least. The attention to detail while maintaining the architectural integrity of the structure surpassed my expectations. You nailed it with the concept, the contractor did beautiful work, and the owner held to the vision. Congratulations on a beautiful job. Rye"
"The relationship between builder and architect is paramount throughout the construction process. At Allen Associates, we have a long history of working with many local and out of town architects. Our relationship with AB Architects, specifically Josh Blumer and Clay Aurell, has been an extremely positive experience. AB design studio's designs are creative and innovative. They are versatile and budget conscience. Their approach to a successful project always begins with good communication. We have been involved with Josh and Clay in preliminary meetings and recognize their ability to listen to the client’s wants and needs from the start. AB Architects plans are detailed oriented CAD drawings that are clear, concise, and complete. When questions have arisen during the bidding or construction phase, we have found them approachable and readily able to answer these questions promptly. We recommend Josh and Clay wholeheartedly. Please call me with any further questions."
"I am writing in reference to our experience with AB Design Studio on the 717 Market Street Lofts project. Our construction and estimating teams worked with AB Design Studio for approximately 12- months during the preconstruction phase of this 50 unit loft project on Market Street in San Francisco. AB Design Studio’s ability to provide a high level of detail on their design and construction documents allowed our firm to competitively bid multiple scopes of work and generate a very accurate assessment of the cost of construction. The level of detail provided by AB Design Studio minimized the number of questions coming from our subcontractors and allowed us to effectively interpret the intent of the drawings. Clay Aurell worked well with our MEPS design build teams to produce a set of construction documents that facilitated their needs and would have likely minimized unforeseen costs resulting form architectural and mechanical coordination. It was a pleasure working with Clay Aurell and AB Design Studio throughout the preconstruction phase of this project."
"As a Landscape Architect, it is rare to find an architect to work with that understands and appreciates the importance of not only creating beautiful and functional architecture, but also realizes the connection that piece of architecture has to the greater context of the landscape it inhabits, and the everyday experience of the people that inhabit the space. AB Design Studio embraces the most-important element of creating successful architecture...‘bring the outside in, and the inside out‘. It has been a real pleasure to work on the AB team over the last 5 years and I hope it continues for many years to come. If you’re thinking about modern-style living for your California property, think AB Design Studio."
