---
title: Studio - Our Architectural Design Approach | AB Design Studio, Inc.
description: AB Design Studio, Inc. brings a holistic approach of environmental design to architecture with an appreciation for a variety of architectural styles.
image: https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/hubfs/Studio%20-%202019/sugarbug-dental-office_13-cropped.jpg
---
[](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com?hsLang=en)
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[Quarry House Takes Top Award!
Grand Award for Best Restored House in 57th Annual Gold Nugget Awards!
](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/news/quarry-house-takes-top-award?hsLang=en)
INSPIRE | CREATE | IMPACT
AB Design Studio, Inc. Copyright © 2026
 [Interior Design Studio ](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/interior-design?section-index=0&hsLang=en)
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[The Riv Magazine Features AB Interior Designs
Our studio is recognized for its innovative design approach.
](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/news/mavens-of-design?hsLang=en)
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AB Design Studio, Inc. Copyright © 2026
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[Funk Zone Steps: Urbanism & Public Spaces
Expanding the Funk Zone's heritage through Public space Design.
](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/news/reimagining-community-space-in-the-funk-zone-the-vision-behind-funk-zone-steps?hsLang=en)
INSPIRE | CREATE | IMPACT
AB Design Studio, Inc. Copyright © 2026
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[Transformative Design
The impact of Clay & Josh on our community.
](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/news/transformative-design?hsLang=en)
INSPIRE | CREATE | IMPACT
AB Design Studio, Inc. Copyright © 2026
[Celebrating "New View" in Santa Barbara
Gathering at Habitat & Home Garden to celebrate SoCal Design.
](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/news/a-toast-to-california-design-celebrating-new-view-in-santa-barbara?hsLang=en)
[Toro Canyon Residence: Modern Hillside Home
A striking modern house perched atop a narrow ridge in Montecito, CA.
](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/news/the-toro-canyon-residence-architectural-innovation-on-the-edge-of-nature?hsLang=en)
[Goodbye office, Hello hotel?
Transforming vacant office space into lucrative income properties.
](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/news/goodbye-office-hello-hotel?hsLang=en)
[Resilient Modern House: Built for the Future
Exploring how architecture can face environmental challenges in SoCal.
](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/news/resilient-design-in-modern-house-architecture-built-for-the-future?hsLang=en)
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[Farewell to the Penny: Lucky Penny's legacy
On the creative use of the Penny in Santa Barbara's Funk Zone.
](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/news/farewell-to-the-penny-a-lucky-legacy-in-santa-barbaras-funk-zone?hsLang=en)
INSPIRE | CREATE | IMPACT
AB Design Studio, Inc. Copyright © 2026
INSPIRE | CREATE | IMPACT
AB Design Studio, Inc. Copyright © 2026
# THE STUDIO
**AB design studio is a Southern California architecture, interior design, and urban planning firm with global impact. **
WE DESIGN!
Our multi-disciplinary approach addresses technical, ecological, social, cultural and aesthetic concerns. AB design studio is a diverse group of architects, designers and builders who believe in the opportunity to make a difference through design. AB design studio believes in the future. We believe in our opportunity to make a difference in the world through inspired design.
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ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN THEORY
We are problem solvers. We bring a holistic approach for Environmental Design and Place Making to all project typologies across multiple disciplines. AB design studio transforms ideas and concepts for living into buildings, spaces and experiences. Every aspect of design is thoughtfully executed with passion and attention to detail using an interdisciplinary approach based in the principles of ENVD, environmental design. We bring a modern understanding of architecture with an appreciation for a variety of architectural styles. Utilizing innovative techniques and thoughtful use of materials we explore the potential of each design in order to translate it into practical, responsible and buildable projects. Each project comes with its own set of opportunities, obstacles and considerations; to this we bring intentionality, experience and creativity. AB design studio draws from the principles of environmental design. This multidisciplinary approach is not to be confused with sustainable or green design. Instead, environmental design combines building design with complementary disciplines: interior design, urban planning, landscape design, wayfinding and graphic design, lighting, historic preservation, and community service. Utilizing innovative techniques and thoughtful use of materials we explore the potential of each design to translate it into practical, responsible, and buildable projects. “You must go beyond the architect's traditional role. Environmental design modality has you investigating a much broader subject area. It helps validate design ideas and maybe helps you understand how to get to that next level, because you’re connecting the dots.” Josh Blumer
POSSIBILITY
AB design studio believes in the future. We believe in our opportunity to make a difference in the world through inspired design. Our goal is to redefine what's possible for our clients and our community. We are committed to designing emotive architecture that improves the quality of life and makes a difference. We manage a collaborative, rigorous problem-solving process to generate design ideas and concepts that are communicative, tangible, and visible. Our design-visualization process allows us to test ideas and generate concepts quickly, allowing the project team to present a variety of options to the client. Once a design is formalized, we work closely with government agencies to negotiate the permitting process and make the project happen. Once ground is broken, we’re in continuous contact and collaboration with the building team. We are committed to our clients. Utilizing innovative techniques and thoughtful use of materials we explore the potential of each design to translate it into practical, responsible, and buildable projects.
Good Design
We believe that good design is good business. Our rigorous design process explores context-based solutions that creatively re-assess what a built environment can provide for its users and the future. We value creativity and a rigorous process of problem solving. AB design studio believes that creativity reaches well beyond the arts to affect disciplines in various industries. Problem-solving isn't an ability; it's a mindset that drives people to proactively shape their environments. AB design studio strives to unleash explorative context-based designs that allow us to creatively reassess what a built environment can provide for its users and the future. We value creativity and a rigorous process of problem solving. We believe that creativity reaches well beyond the arts to affect disciplines in various industries. Problem solving isn't an ability, it's a mindset that drives people to proactively shape their environments. We believe that good design is good business.
DESIGN VISUALIZED
Seeing is believing. We believe successful solutions are communicative, tangible and visible. AB design studio brings our projects to life using our unique visualization process. In addition to informing the assumptions in our design, this process produces highly creative and innovative concepts that emerge quickly and efficiently. The end result is a clear picture providing valuable project information that the project team and client can use to present and realize the design with local agencies, decision makers, consultants and builders. AB design studio brings our projects to life using our unique visualization process. We believe the person with the best idea should always have the pen in their hand. We value both hand-drawing and state-of-the-art digital design software. In fact, each informs the other. “In our studio, you'll see a lot of hand drawing and sometimes digital 2D work going on. We've found if we spend some time figuring out the design before jumping into the model, we get our bearings, which leads to a better design result.” Josh Blumer
COMMITMENT
We are committed to our clients. We are committed to designing emotive architecture that improves the quality of life and makes a difference. We seek out, manage and combine the elements of our client's programs, budgets and design intentions with today's innovative technologies, smart designs and simple common sense building practices. Design is a service profession. We are committed to design that improves quality of life and makes a difference. We seek out, manage, and combine the elements of our client's programs, budgets and design intentions with today's innovative technologies, smart designs, and simple common sense building practices.“What we're about is doing signature design for people who want more than just the building. We're interested in making a difference in the world through architecture. When we're talking to clients, we're listening to them from a specific point of view: How does this project make a difference? If it’s a family home, how can our design help strengthen their bonds? For a hotel client looking to go beyond a cookie-cutter design, what can we do differently? If it’s a multifamily project, how can we help solve the housing crisis? We always bring something creative to everything we do.” Clay Aurell
SUSTAINABILITY
AB design studio is committed to sustainable design and construction, which extends from of our commitment to making a positive difference in the world. We work hard to stay at the forefront of what is possible, using systems and materials that are sustainable, environmentally responsible, and innovative. We focus on creating healthy environments that inspire, enhance, and enrich people's lives. In a time of climate change, to succeed, our designs must use energy efficiently and minimize their carbon footprint. They must be full of natural light and views. We must source materials wisely, mindful of how they were produced and their impact on human health, while embracing new trends such as mass-timber framing and prefab construction. Because it’s inherently greener, we must encourage adaptive re-use whenever possible. We seek out, manage and combine elements of our client's program, budgets and design intentions while collaborating early and often with clients, contractors and the entire building team to maximize collaboration and innovation. We’re experienced with green-building rating systems like LEED and the Living Building Challenge, and as a California firm long operating under Title 24, sustainable design principles are second-nature. At AB, we’ve seen early techniques like daylighting and natural ventilation can combine with a wide array of contemporary digital 3D design tools like BIM [Building Information Modeling] to produce smart, efficient, budget-conscious and sustainable buildings.
## **INSPIRE | CREATE | IMPACT **