Hospitality House

Our Hospitality House project was a beautiful and heartfelt transformation of a tired apartment complex into twelve warm and inviting residential suites for families who have family receiving care at the nearby Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. The suites are offered by the hospital to patient families free of charge. The families typically have members in the hospital’s critical care units, where visitors cannot stay overnight.

The existing apartment complex is a historical building built in the 1930’s that was modernized in terms of amenities, code compliance, and safety but still maintains it’s historic charm and Spanish style architecture prevalent throughout downtown Santa Barbara. The goal of the design team was to create a comforting home away from home for the families dealing with the stress of having a sick loved one. The guest quarters consist of an open concept plan with living room, dining area, and galley kitchen included in a studio like set up. Each unit also has a private bedroom with queen bed and closet, a bathroom, pull out sofa, and laundry area. The finishes are intended to feel welcoming with a residential feel despite the need to be highly durable and easy to clean. The palette was simple yet beautiful; creating a light and bright environment with blonde wood-look plank flooring and clean white walls throughout the suites. Decorative tile at the kitchen backsplash compliments the quartz counters and white oak open shelving. The bathrooms boast walk in showers, custom vanities with complimentary lighting, and playful tile which serves to bring in color and a modern nod to traditional Spanish motifs. The suites have warm, efficient, and fully dimmable LED lighting throughout, AC, wifi, and TV’s in the family rooms. The artwork varies from suite to suite and features cheerful watercolor landscapes of the California coast. Each suite opens into a peaceful garden courtyard located in the center of the building.

Photography: Erin Feinblatt Photography, Architecture: Cearnal Collective, Contractor: McGillivray Construction