In past years, I had the unique opportunity of working with my Father (founding architect of DMHA Architecture) on designing, permitting, building and running a new commercial space in downtown Santa Barbara known as Synergy Business + Technology Center.

The original building was erected as an old lemon packing facility in the 1920’s and was later used to make submarines in WWII (hence the solid 15x15” Redwood columns and beams).Today, it remains the largest commercial warehouse space in Santa Barbara and is a five minute walk from the famous Santa Barbara Warf and Cabrillo Boardwalk.

The space inside this massive warehouse is incredible. Natural daylight pours through the North-facing sawtooth roof trusses, a raised wood floor flows throughout the interior spaces, and all of the building structure at the entry is solid and seasoned Redwood.The design of the interior spaces, from the beginning, has focussed on celebrating these natural qualities of the space and complementing them with a fresh and crisp sense of a modern aesthetic.

In addition to the new architectural office for JM Holliday Associates, Synergy Business + Technology Center introduces and fosters the new movement of co-working, wherein businesses can rent office space to call their own and yet work in a collaborative atmosphere for themselves but not by themselves.The work stations range from private offices to temporary hot desks depending on tenants needs.

Documents & photographs copyright JM Holliday Associates. All rights reserved.