Open to Sky Townhouses

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Santa Barbara, CA

project architect: buildcasa | in progress

Patricia led the design of this three-unit townhouse development on a subdivided lot (law SB684) while at BuildCasa, shaping the project from concept through design resolution. The project explores compact urban living with a focus on vertical organization, access to private outdoor space, and the integration of landscape as an architectural element.

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Each unit is organized across multiple levels and culminates in an accessible rooftop, extending the living environment upward. A portion of each rooftop is covered by a lightweight metal structure, providing shade and a sense of enclosure while maintaining openness to the sky. Integrated fiber cement planters line the rooftop edges, projecting slightly beyond the building envelope and softening the silhouette with planting.

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Two of the units are approximately 1,110 square feet, while the front unit—closer to the street—expands at the bedroom level, resulting in a larger footprint of approximately 1,200 square feet.

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On the ground floor, board-formed concrete planters with bamboo create a layered threshold, separating the townhouses from neighboring properties while introducing privacy and a sense of calm within a dense urban context.

The exterior material palette of the townhouses is defined by charred wood cladding, paired with painted metal window frames in a matching tone, creating a cohesive and restrained expression.

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On the opposite side from the townhouses, Patricia also designed the landscape for an existing building, extending the project’s language beyond the site. A vertical metal fence emerges from a concrete wall, creating a simple and rhythmic edge condition that complements the material palette of the townhouses.

Buildcasa

Project Architect

Lovelage Engineering

Structural Engineer

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