Speaker – Brian Cearnal

Brian Cearnal is the heart and soul of his architecture and design firm Cearnal Andrulaitis LLP. He lives the firm’s mission: “to create enduring architecture with integrity and delight”. His keen understanding of community, along with his absolute conviction that design matters in all things, has created a legacy of projects that have shaped the built environment of the South Coast and beyond. Licensed in California, Nevada & Nebraska, he has designed projects throughout the West and as far away as the Virgin Islands. The firm has received 7 AIA Design Awards and 16 Santa Barbara Beautiful Awards. His record of successfully coordinating challenging and controversial projects through the public process is unparalleled.

Brian’s commitment to sustainable architecture started with the 1969 oil spill and has been a central theme of the firm’s work since its inception in 1983. Conscious choices in planning, design, building methods and materials is fundamental to creating buildings that minimize their impact on our planet. The firm continually educates themselves and their clients on how to do this better. Work is under way on several projects, including a new mixed-use project to replace the old Von’s next to the Arlington theatre, that are designed to achieve LEED Platinum certification.

His special interest is in regional sustainability. As a founding member and past president of the Santa Barbara South Coast Economic Community Project, he plays a continuing role in the community as an advocate for regional cooperation and the balance between environment, economic vitality and quality of life. He helped lead the effort to defeat Measure B in the City of Santa Barbara because of the unsustainable regional implications. He envisions our very special region of South facing coastline, our American Riviera, as a model of sustainability for the rest of the world.

Brian received his Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1976 from California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo after studying his fifth year abroad at the Royal Academy in Copenhagen, Denmark, where he was exposed to many creative housing solutions, including mixed-use and co-housing, that have greatly influenced his practice.

Brian served as a Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Santa Barbara Chamber of Commerce In 1995. He is also a past president of the American Institute of Architects, Santa Barbara Chapter and
Former Chairperson of the City of Santa Barbara Architectural Board of Review.

Brian lives in Santa Barbara with Judi, his wife of 26 years and their youngest son Harry. Their oldest son Jack is a filmmaker living in Boston and their daughter Carli attends the University of Washington in Seattle. His continual mantra to his kids: “You don’t remember the things you don’t do!”

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