Reflection, Gratitude, and Looking Forward

Written By Heather Borden

2025 was another incredible year of growth and achievement for DMHA. To celebrate our team’s accomplishments, we’re proud to share a reflection on last year’s wins and a look ahead at the exciting opportunities before us.

2025 Highlights

Community Engagement

We believe an uplifting workplace fosters genuine connection—strengthening our team, enriching community partnerships, and producing exceptional design. Here are just a few of the ways DMHA celebrated connection and supported our community in 2025:

  • DMHA Senior Project Architect Matt Gries, AIA, completed his term as AIA Santa Barbara Chapter President. You can read his reflections on the experience in his latest newsletter.

  • We proudly served as Corporate Sponsor for the Annual UCSB Economic Forecast Event, and Michael continues to serve on the organization’s Board of Directors.

  • We hosted a well-attended program on Artificial Intelligence for Ventech’s Emerging Ventures & Technology Forum. Michael also had the privilege of serving on Ventech’s Board of Directors last year.

  • DMHA served on the South Coast Business & Technology Awards Steering Committee, which awarded more than $200,000 in student scholarships in 2025.

  • We sponsored and attended the annual Santa Barbara Community Prayer Breakfast.

  • Ed deVicente and Michael Holliday attended the Santa Barbara Community Housing Conference, which focused on policy, people, and innovative housing solutions.

  • Marco Cervantes, DMHA Studio Designer, shared his talents by providing live classical guitar music at AIA Santa Barbara community events.

Awards & Recognition

At DMHA, we remain committed to doing what we love and finding joy in the process. In 2025, we were honored to receive several awards and media recognitions celebrating that commitment:

  • AIA Santa Barbara Merit Design Award for the historic renovation of Hotel Santa Barbara

  • Santa Barbara Contractors Association 2025 Design & Architectural Excellence Award for our Cabrillo Commercial Project

  • Feature article in Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce Magazine:
    “Rooted in Community, Driven by Design” highlights DMHA’s history, design philosophy, sustainability commitment, and deep connection to the Santa Barbara community. We believe our dedication to giving back has been a vital contributor to our success. Read the article here.

Project Highlights

  • After years of collaboration, Linden Square officially opened in April 2025. This transformational gathering space in the heart of downtown Carpinteria reflects our passion for designing places that foster identity and connection. Read more about Linden Square here.

  • As the demand for housing in Santa Barbara continues to grow, DMHA is making steady progress on multi-family housing projects on De la Vina and Haley Street, providing much-needed market-rate and affordable housing. Read about Santa Barbara housing here.

  • We are honored to partner with Santa Barbara Humane on their campus renovation. Phase One broke ground in August 2025 and includes a new Intake Building, Dog Behavior Center, Mobile Veterinary Clinic, and upgraded dog yards. Learn more about this project on our blog.

Looking Ahead to 2026

We strive to remain at the forefront of innovation, an effort that requires continuous curiosity, learning, and growth. We are excited for the diverse range of residential, commercial, and institutional projects already underway in 2026.

Music Academy of the West – Downtown Facility

One project we are especially excited about is our collaboration with Music Academy of the West (MAW). The Academy recently announced plans for a new world-class Music Education Center in downtown Santa Barbara.

For 78 years, MAW has been one of the nation’s premier musical institutions, rooted in the historic Miraflores estate in Montecito. Its expansion into downtown Santa Barbara reflects a bold vision of openness, accessibility, and lifelong learning.

To lead the design, MAW has assembled a world-class architectural partnership: Brooks, Scarpa, Huber Architects (BSH) of Los Angeles and DMHA. We are honored to serve as the local anchor for this transformative civic project.

“It is an honor for our team to be working with the Music Academy of the West on this important downtown Music Education Center. MAW is an extraordinary organization, and this project carries profound cultural significance for Santa Barbara. Larry and I were third-year classmates at the University of Florida, and collaborating again is a full-circle moment. The BSH team is a world-class organization with an incredible record of innovative, sustainable, and thought-provoking work. I can’t think of a better team for a project of this civic importance.”
— Michael Holliday, FAIA

AIA Conference on Architecture & Design 2026

DMHA has been selected to present at the AIA Conference on Architecture & Design 2026, taking place in June 2026. This national, four-day event brings together professionals who believe design can—and must—do more. We are honored to contribute to this important dialogue and look forward to learning alongside industry leaders.

Thank You

We are deeply grateful to the Santa Barbara community, as well as our team members, clients, and partners, for the opportunity to do what we love: design thoughtful, innovative architecture. We look ahead with anticipation and excitement to another year of collaboration, community partnership, and meaningful new projects. Here’s to continued success, strong relationships, and beautiful architecture in the year ahead.

Heather Borden
Next

Designing Our Future: A Final Word for 2025