---
title: FUNK ZONE STEPS
description: The Funk Zone in Santa Barbara is transformed into a vibrant communal space, blending new design with the Zone's artistic spirit and cultural fabric.
image: https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/hubfs/01%20PROJECT%20FILES/19007_FUNK%20ZONE%20STEPS/20067.00%20FUNK%20ZONE%20STEPS_THUMBNAILS/funk-zone-steps-renderings-thumbnail.jpg
---
[](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com)
[Architecture](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/architecture?section-index=0)
[Interior Design](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/interior-design?section-index=0)
[Urban Planning](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/urban-planning?section-index=0)
[Studio](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/studio)
[News](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/news/tag/ab-news)
[Contact](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/contact-us)
 [Architecture Studio ](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/architecture?section-index=0)
 [Contemporary Residential ](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/architecture?section-index=1)
 [Traditional Residential ](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/architecture?section-index=2)
 [Multi Family Mixed Use ](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/architecture?section-index=3)
 [Hospitality ](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/architecture?section-index=4)
 [Commercial ](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/architecture?section-index=5)
- ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIOS
- [Selected Architectural Work](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/work/tag/selected-architecture-works)
- [Contemporary Residential](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/work/tag/residential-contemporary)
- [Traditional Residential](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/work/tag/traditional-residential)
- [Multi Family-Mixed Use](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/work/tag/multi-family-mixed-use)
- [Hospitality](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/work/tag/hospitality)
- [Commercial](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/work/tag/category)
[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)
INSPIRE | CREATE | IMPACT
AB Design Studio, Inc. Copyright © 2026
 [Interior Design Studio ](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/interior-design?section-index=0)
 [Residential Interiors ](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/interior-design?section-index=1)
 [Hospitality Interiors ](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/interior-design?section-index=2)
 [Commercial Interiors ](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/interior-design?section-index=3)
- INTERIOR DESIGN PORTFOLIOS
- [Selected Interiors Work](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/work/tag/interior-design)
- [Residential Interiors](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/work/tag/residential-interiors)
- [Hospitality Interiors](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/work/tag/hospitality-interiors)
- [Commercial Interiors](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/work/tag/commercial-interiors)
[The Riv Magazine Features AB Interior Designs
Our studio is recognized for its innovative design approach.
](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/news/mavens-of-design)
INSPIRE | CREATE | IMPACT
AB Design Studio, Inc. Copyright © 2026
 [Urban Planning Studio ](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/urban-planning?section-index=0)
 [Urban Revitalization ](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/urban-planning?section-index=1)
 [Master Planning ](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/urban-planning?section-index=2)
 [Land Use Consulting ](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/urban-planning?section-index=3)
- URBAN PLANNING PORTFOLIOS
- [Selected Urban Planning Work](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/work/tag/urban-planning)
- [Urban Revitalization](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/work/tag/urban-planning)
- [Master Planning](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/work/tag/master-planning)
- [Land Use Consulting](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/work/land-use-consulting)
-2.jpeg)
[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)
INSPIRE | CREATE | IMPACT
AB Design Studio, Inc. Copyright © 2026
 [The Studio ](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/studio)
 [Partnership ](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/studio/partnership)
 [Our Team ](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/studio/leadership)
 [Contact Us ](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/contact-us)
- STUDIO
- [The Studio](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/studio)
- [Partnership](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/studio/partnership)
- [Our Team](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/studio/leadership)
- [Careers](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/studio/careers)
- [Testimonials](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/studio/testimonials)
- [Recognition](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/studio/awards)
[Transformative Design
The impact of Clay & Josh on our community.
](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/news/transformative-design)
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)
[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)
[Goodbye office, Hello hotel?
Transforming vacant office space into lucrative income properties.
](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/news/goodbye-office-hello-hotel)
[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)
- AB News
- [Featured and Recent News](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/news/tag/ab-news)
- AB Blog Articles
- [Architecture](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/news/tag/architecture)
- [Interior Design](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/news/tag/interior-design)
- [Urban Planning](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/news/tag/urban-planning)
- [The Studio](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/news/tag/the-studio)
[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)
INSPIRE | CREATE | IMPACT
AB Design Studio, Inc. Copyright © 2026
INSPIRE | CREATE | IMPACT
AB Design Studio, Inc. Copyright © 2026
## **FUNK ZONE STEPS**
.jpg)
Nestled in the heart of the city, Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone stands as an exceptional hub of art, business, and industry. In this creative exploration, the architect asked: “What’s missing?” Through our lens, the answer is clear —a communal gathering space.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Our design maintains an industrial allure that pays tribute to the area’s storied past, effortlessly harmonizing with the architectural character of the surrounding buildings.
.jpg)
.jpg)
jpg.jpg)
.jpg)
%202.jpg)
The careful selection of this intersection as the project’s home represents a masterful stroke of urban planning. The Funk Zone, known for its artistic spirit, eclectic atmosphere, and creative energy, is a magnet for locals and tourists alike. By planting this project here, developers have tapped into the Zone’s unique vibe, ensuring that it will become an integral part of the neighborhood’s fabric.
.jpg)
.jpg)
Over the years, the Architect has demonstrated an uncanny ability to not only design aesthetically appealing structures but also to integrate them seamlessly into the cultural fabric of the arts district. They have consistently displayed a keen awareness of the area’s historical and artistic significance, using this knowledge to inform their design choices.
.jpg)
| Location | Funk Zone, Santa Barbara |
| --- | --- |
| Principal | Clay Aurell, AIA |
| Project Manager | Clay Aurell, AIA |
| Design Team | Alex Parker \| Karim Bennis |
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
INSPIRE | CREATE | IMPACT
[Contact Us](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/contact-us?hsLang=en) [ Back to top ](https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/work/funk-zone-steps#anchor)
```json
{
"@context" : "https://schema.org",
"@type" : "BlogPosting",
"author" : {
"@type" : "Person",
"name" : "AB design studio",
"url" : "https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/work/author/ab-design-studio"
},
"dateModified" : "2025-01-17T21:47:51.521Z",
"datePublished" : "2024-01-01T09:00:00.000Z",
"headline" : "FUNK ZONE STEPS",
"image" : [ "https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/hubfs/01%20PROJECT%20FILES/19007_FUNK%20ZONE%20STEPS/20067.00%20FUNK%20ZONE%20STEPS_THUMBNAILS/funk-zone-steps-renderings-thumbnail.jpg" ],
"mainEntityOfPage" : {
"@id" : "https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/work/funk-zone-steps",
"@type" : "WebPage"
},
"publisher" : {
"@type" : "Organization",
"logo" : {
"@type" : "ImageObject",
"url" : "https://www.abdesignstudioinc.com/hubfs/ABdesignstudio_June2018/Images/logo-blk_0.png"
},
"name" : "AB design studio, inc."
}
}
```