original watercolor sketch
for courtyard

Andalusian Waterway
Santa Barbara Superior Court

Many of the designs in Santa Barbara borrow heavily from Spain, particularly Andalucía, the southern region from which many Spaniards embarked for the Americas. Andalucían architecture was heavily influenced by the Islamic culture, which thrived there for over seven centuries. Many of the motifs in our Courthouse are based on Islamic/Iberic motifs. In this so-called Mudejar style, water is a key element, in both interior and exterior spaces. From this notion I began to construct my design. Read more...