VERACRUZ VILLAGE APARTMENTS

VERACRUZ VILLAGE
APARTMENTS

AB design studio proposed a 22,000-square-foot mixed-use development that blends elements from Santa Barbara’s traditional Spanish vernacular style into a contemporary design. The project supports three levels of light-filled, market-rate apartments atop ground-level commercial units and parking. Tall ceiling heights with clerestories allow for open living spaces and contribute to natural daylighting and passive ventilation. An interior courtyard and communal rooftop deck offer areas for entertainment, gardening, and respite.

Clean-lined facades and metal-railed balconies define the visual identity of the Veracruz Village project, echoing the site's commitment to both aesthetic simplicity and functional modernism. Architectural details such as horizontal balcony railings and minimalist cement panels offer a sleek contrast to the nearby Spanish Colonial buildings, creating a unique synergy between old and new. The building’s neutral color palette, softened by the warm hues of surrounding palm trees and sunlit skies, emphasizes its role as a transitional structure—bridging Santa Barbara’s architectural past with its evolving urban character. The restrained material palette and precise geometry express a calm, intentional design language that feels both rooted and forward-looking, aligning with AB design studio’s mission to elevate urban experiences through thoughtful architecture.

Cantilevered overhangs create shaded areas over private balcony spaces, separated by horizontally slatted wood partitions. Tall ceiling heights with clerestories allow for open living spaces and contribute to natural daylighting and passive ventilation. An interior courtyard and communal rooftop deck offer areas for entertainment, gardening, and respite. The development by AB design studio stands as an emblem of innovative harmony, where contemporary elegance intertwines seamlessly with Santa Barbara's cherished heritage, redefining the narrative of modern urban living within a historically rich tapestry.

Find out more about our Multi-family housing designs.

LOT SIZE	10,865 sf
PROJECT SIZE	22,800 sf
LOCATION	Santa Barbara, CA
PRINCIPAL	Clay Aurell, AIA
PROJECT MANAGER	Eric Behr
DESIGN TEAM	Josh Blumer, AIA \| Luis Garcia
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT	Sam Maphis
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER	Ashley & Vance
LIGHTING DESIGN	LFA Lighting Design

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