Preserving A Legacy Through Sustainable Architecture with Tony Schonhardt & Dan Weber of Anacapa Architecture

Friends of Build Magazine

Ted speaks with Dan Weber and Tony Schonhardt of Anacapa Architecture. They discuss their experiences in the architecture industry and their work on various projects. They talk about their backgrounds and how they ended up in Santa Barbara, the challenges they faced during the 2008 recession, and the growth of their firm. The conversation focuses on one specific project, an off-the-grid guest house, and the difficulties they encountered during the entitlement and construction process. They also touch on the concept of building green and sustainable design. The conversation explores the power of architecture to inspire and connect people to nature. The architects discuss the importance of creating tranquil and low-tech spaces that promote a sense of calmness and quiet. They also touch on the influence of Frank Lloyd Wright and the value of travel in shaping their design approach. The architects emphasize the significance of building strong relationships with clients and the impact it has on creating a better living experience. They express excitement about upcoming projects, including a world-class house and hotels in various locations.

TOPICS DISCUSSED

• 01:05 Introduction and Background
• 04:35 Experiences in Santa Barbara
• 08:17 Challenges of the 2008 Recession
• 15:05 Biggest challenges on exciting projects
• 17:17 Building Off-the-Grid
• 21:20 Approach to Green Building
• 24:55 Inspiring and Connecting People to Nature
• 27:05 Creating Tranquil and Low-Tech Spaces
• 31:35 The Influence of Frank Lloyd Wright
• 40:00 The Value of Travel in Shaping Design Approach
• 42:10 Building Strong Relationships with Clients
• 50:45 Exciting Upcoming Projects

CONNECT WITH GUEST

Tony Schonhardt and Dan Weber

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KEY QUOTES FROM EPISODE

• "The real opportunity for a project like that is not so much that we're making any demonstrable dent in improving the community or the place from a sustainability standpoint, but what we're doing is inspiring a lot of people."
• "When I look at your projects, there seems to be less chaos, more tranquility."
• "We're big fans of technology, but our buildings are low-tech. The more pure the state of the material is, the better."