Architecture Field Trip - Goleta and Isla Vista

If you happen to be near UC Santa Barbara and in the mood for some off-campus touring here are 6 locations to stop by - 3 churches and 3 residences (including a geodesic dome), mostly mid-century.

Cambridge Drive Community Church 550 Cambridge Dr., Goleta

The Cambridge Drive Community Church has a quintessential mid-century design. Alas, I have no further info on the architect or year built. More follow up is warranted.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 478 Cambridge Dr., Goleta

Also on the Cambridge Drive, this Mormon church has a formal air with its ordered brick design. Again, I have on further information on the architect or year built. The administrative office was not open when we stopped by. Perhaps, next time.

Saint Michael and All Angels Church 781 Embarcadero Del Mar, Goleta

From the book Santa Barbara Architecture: “The upward thrust of the triangular interior is accentuated by white structural-beams, and softened by a wood slatted ceiling. The contrast of the rich, jutting roof peak to the falling roofline makes this seemingly simple building quite complex. The stained glass altar wall is the visitor's introduction to the church.”

Two residences by Architect Richard Taylor on Del Playa Dr.

Second Hodgkins and Scubic House, 1967 at 6885 Del Playa Dr.

Sweeney and Lee House, 1968 at 6877 Del Playa Dr.

A bio of the architect condensed from the Online Archive of California:

Richard B. Taylor was born in Greensville, South Carolina on February 19, 1926. He received both his BS and BA in architecture and landscape architecture from the University of Virginia, graduating in 1948. Taylor practiced architecture in South Carolina and taught at the University of Georgia before coming out West to lecture at the University of California, Berkeley. In 1956, Taylor arrived in Santa Barbara and over the next 36 years completed projects as an architect, landscape architect, and planner in the Tri-County area. Notable projects include: Pershing Park (15 acres of landscape design), Shoreline Park, landscape design of Santa Barbara City College, St. Andre’s Presbyterian Church, Parma Elementary School, three seaside residences in Isla Vista, and the Mission Plaza in San Luis Obispo. Richard B. Taylor died in 1993.

There is a nice write up on the Del Playa houses on the local wiki at this LINK and the information below is condensed from that writeup:

There were three mid-century houses at the end of Del Playa by noted local architect Richard B. Taylor built in 1957, 1967, and 1968. The later two still exist; the first one called the Sunset House was destroyed and replaced in 2013. They were built for interesting UCSB professors, and they're among the few buildings in Isla Vista designed by significant architects and older than fifty years.

The Second Hodgkins and Scubic House at 6885 Del Playa Dr. was built in 1967. The upper portion opens to an ocean view, set prominently on a block pedestal, the building's ground floor. A simple and effective statement using common materials of redwood, block, and glass in its construction.

Another source, “Santa Barbara Architecture, from Spanish Colonial to Modern (1975) describes the Sweeney and Lee House at 6877 Del Playa Dr. which was built in 1968 as probably Taylor’s most successful. “Set on tiers of concrete, the flow of interior and exterior spaces is knowingly accomplished."

Geodesic Dome House (or the "pineapple house", "beehive house", "sphere house", or many other names) 998 Camino Lindo

The Geodesic Dome House was designed by Michael F. Hoover, a UCSB graduate student at time of construction. It was built in 1972-73. He built the house using the equations and techniques provided by The Domebook by Lloyd Kahn.

There is an interesting writeup on the local wiki at the LINK.