--- title: "Kari Architect — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/kari-architect-pfvwus-pf~276950843 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~276950843.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Kari Architect" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/1d03ecd10ef11224_3121-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "226 East Canon Perdido Street, Suite H, Santa Barbara, California 93101, United States" latitude: 34.4197 longitude: -119.7078 phone: "(805) 965-0560" website: http://kariarchitect.com rating: 5 review_count: 6 best_of_houzz_awards: 3 followers: 93 last_updated: 2026-11-04 --- # Kari Architect Original Houzz profile: [Kari Architect](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/kari-architect-pfvwus-pf~276950843) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Santa Barbara, CA - **Serves:** Santa Barbara, Goleta, Montecito, Mission Canyon, Toro Canyon, Summerland - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (6 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 3 awards (2015–2017), for Design. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 1,000 Ideabook Saves - Locally owned - Woman owned - 19 years in business KARI ARCHITECT, established in 1991, is an architectural firm dedicated to the highest quality of residential design. Clients receive our top priority in response to their personal and aesthetic consideration. 

 Ranging in scale from modest remodel to high-end custom home, each project involves the careful consideration of the surrounding environment, efficient service and production, and the utmost attention to detail and quality assurance from concept to completion. The design, consulting, and construction teams are critical to the success of each project, and are selected for their commitment and expertise in their field, which in turn allows for a creative and satisfying experience for the client.

 Lori A. Kari AIA, principal, has been involved in the design profession since 1985, becoming a licensed Architect in California in 1993. She gained extensive experience working for Santa Barbara architectural firms over several years prior to establishing her own practice. Involved extensively in the community, Lori volunteers on boards and committees for a variety of education and arts-related local organizations, including the Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation, the Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara, local chapter of the American Institute of Architects, and Santa Barbara Beautiful. Feel free to reach out to us, we would love to hear from you! ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Building Design - Home Remodeling - Architectural Drawings - Custom Homes - House Plans - New Home Construction - Home Additions - Home Extensions - Sustainable Design - Kitchen Design - Kitchen Remodeling - Floor Plans - Energy-Efficient Homes - Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) - Bathroom Design - Green Building - Space Planning - Guesthouse Design & Construction - Universal Design - Multigenerational Homes - Pool House Design & Construction - Home Restoration - Drafting - Historic Building Conservation - Barn Design & Construction - Attic Conversion - Tiny House Construction - Garage Design - Deck Design - Laundry Room Design - Construction Drawings ### Areas Served - Santa Barbara - Goleta - Montecito - Mission Canyon - Toro Canyon - Summerland ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Kari Architect | | Address | 226 East Canon Perdido Street, Suite H, Santa Barbara, California 93101, United States | | Phone | (805) 965-0560 | | Website | http://kariarchitect.com | | License Number | C-24921 | | Followers on Houzz | 93 | **Social profiles:** - Blog — http://www.kariarchitect.com ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Kari Architect](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/kari-architect-pfvwus-pf~276950843) - **Website:** http://kariarchitect.com - **Phone:** (805) 965-0560 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - 2004 Santa Barbara Contractor's Association- Outstanding Craftsmanship - **Best of Houzz:** 3 awards (2015–2017), for Design. **Affiliations** - [The American Institute of Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/the-american-institute-of-architects-pfvwus-pf~1350720471) - [AIA Santa Barbara](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/aia-santa-barbara-pfvwus-pf~2115496248) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 6 reviews** ### All 6 reviews **★★★★★ — Simmons and Company, May 2016** > I've worked with Lori Kari on several projects and have always found her creative and efficient. Getting thru the permitting process is never a cake walk and she's helped with that delicate process quickly and efficiently. Always a pleasure as she never lets her ego get in the way of good design. thanks Lori. **★★★★★ — zurbsb, March 2015** > and walk-in closet. The plans also included a complete remodel of an existing bathroom, new use of window spaces in our family room and new outside patios. Lori was a delight to work with because she listened well to our thoughts about the project and, while she had the vision and many great ideas that were incorporated, she was also conscious of our needs and budget for the space she was designing. She involved us in the design process: we reviewed drawings at various stages, our revisions were incorporated, and we walked through the house together to decided on choices for windows, lighting and other details. She has a calm, friendly manner, is very professional and worked hard to keep things on schedule, while calmly negotiating the city permitting process. Our construction is complete and the new space and the updates to our home are beautiful and functional - we love the design that Lori created and the experience we had working with her. **★★★★★ — anniet1, Oct. 2014** > Lori Kari designed our extensive remodel and I could not be more happy with our experience with her….or with the results. She was a great collaborator, and a joy to brainstorm with. She took a very nondescript dated and dark house and transformed it into a bright and light home, opening up the floor plan to accommodate our family's needs. I cannot recommend her more highly. ~Annie Torsiglieri **★★★★★ — palominoridge, June 2014** > Lori worked with us on our rebuild following the Jesusita fire. She was very helpful in guiding us to a new, better house, while having to fit it in the same space as the previous house, between a pool and septic system. She was able to take our wishes, and help us with the various decisions about how to lay out the house, select doors and windows, heating, and all the systems that make up a house. > In addition, Lori kept us apprised of the various regulations and permits that we needed, and helped the builder coordinate all the paperwork. > Through it all, Lori was unfailingly positive and pleasant to work with. Building a house is a large undertaking, building one after a wild fire is even larger. Lori helped us greatly in getting through it all. **★★★★★ — wwholcomb, June 2014** > Lori designed our craftsman-style house in Buena Vista, CO which turned out fabulous. She understood, incorporated and improved upon my rough sketches in preparing the construction plans. Our project was subject to a very strict design guidelines and a very picky and opinionated design review committee. Lori gracefully negotiated through the process without having to sacrifice or diminish any of our design concepts. She worked very well with our contractor and stayed with the project through completion. **★★★★★ — Grimsley Group, inc., May 2014** > Lori Kari is great! > Being a residential contractor in Chicago for over 28 years, I am accustomed to a variety of working and design styles. In choosing Lori for our personal home in Santa Barbara our desires and concerns could not have been more perfectly satisfied. Her design skills are outstanding. Beyond that, the intricacies of dealing with the departments and committees -including the historic review- whose requirements needed to be mitigated while keeping us happy was handled with the most skillful aplomb. > It was delightful to collaborate with Lori from the initial concept to the final flourishes of color and texture. ## Selected projects - [Hollywood Hills Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hollywood-hills-renovation-pj-vj~166332) - Location: Los Angeles, CA - Photos: 31 - Description: Renovation / Reconstruction of a mid century hillside home in the Nichols Canyon area of Los Angeles. - [South Main Craftsman Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/south-main-craftsman-residence-pj-vj~171615) - Location: South Main \[Buena Vista\], CO - Photos: 13 - Description: Traditional Craftsman Home located at the gateway to the new urban community of South Main \[Buena Vista\] alongside the Arkansas River. 5,600 square foot Main House and attached Guest House over the Garage. - [Hidden Gems, Artist's Home and Studio](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hidden-gems-artist-s-home-and-studio-pj-vj~239232) - Location: Santa Barbara, CA - Photos: 17 - Description: Tucked away in a dense downtown neighborhood, this mini-gem Cottage was completely remodeled and added on to from a 650 square foot single wall structure falling down into the earth. The resulting 1,200 square foot renovation created multiple living scenarios with open space, multi functioning rooms, and numerous access ways extending to the outdoor living spaces. The Studio was created to offer a refuge for quiet meditation and the creation of a variety of art work. With 300 square feet of allo… - [East West Dojo](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/east-west-dojo-pj-vj~226847) - Location: Carpinteria, CA - Photos: 8 - Description: Perched high atop a knoll overlooking Carpinteria and the coastline, this private Asian style Dojo offers a 3,500 square foot practice room for the ancient martial art of Karate. Large sliding wood doors open onto a grassy slope for demonstration events. Fine woodworking and exposed beam detailing, custom-built doors and furnishings, and other attention to craftsmanship are expressed with beauty and finess. The dramatic steel and glass atrium entry introduces a strong bond of western culture to… - [Mini Craftsman Contemporary](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mini-craftsman-contemporary-pj-vj~537695) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 14 - Description: Built in the turn of the Century, this Historic Craftsman had been neglected for many years. The new owners embraced the Historic quality of this 815 square foot one bedroom home by painstakingly refurbishing the exterior facade. The interior took on its own charm with eclectic use of furnishings, exposed steel lighting trusses and exposed heating duct in the great room, and clever use of the limited available spaces. - [Traditional Hacienda Homestead](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/traditional-hacienda-homestead-pj-vj~318204) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 20 - Description: The original house was destroyed in the Jesusita Fire in 2009. Allowing for a fresh architectural style, the clients chose the traditional mexican/ spanish influenced style with the long deep porch with french doors off of the Living Room, Great Room, Guest Bedroom, and Master Bedroom. The indoor/ outdoor living is suited well at this hillside retreat with large shade trees and cooling breezes to accent this perfect location. - [Horse Stable Farmhouse Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/horse-stable-farmhouse-renovation-pj-vj~374364) - Location: Carpinteria, CA - Photos: 9 - Description: Renovation of a rustic horse stable structure into a functioning farmhouse. One remaining stall door gives character and a reminder of it's original status. Found objects, antiques, and flea market finds provide accents to the interesting spaces formed from the original stall configurations. - ["Casa Girasol" a Mediterranean Gem](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/casa-girasol-a-mediterranean-gem-pj-vj~1383883) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 9 - Description: This renovated Mediterranean Home is located on a quiet cul de sac in the heart of Santa Barbara. The 2,400 square foot gem has been carefully renovated with additions to create more liveable environment. The landscaping has been updated with drought tolerant plantings along with updating the patios and walkways. - [SUR LA MAR](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sur-la-mar-pj-vj~1993109) - Location: Santa Barbara, CA - Photos: 15 - Description: Perched on the cliffs above the beautiful Pacific Ocean, this stunning petite house boasts 1,000 square feet of openness and contemporary charm. Upgraded extensively from a 1960's tract home without character or appeal, the walls were stripped to the bare studs for a fresh start. With open beam ceilings, large sliding doors, and grand view windows in the great room, master bedroom, and master bath, the vistas are greatly enhanced. Whales and dolphins are viewed frolicking in the waters just off… [See all 9 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/kari-architect-pfvwus-pf~276950843) ## Ideabooks - [Hollister 40](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/150093817/list/hollister-40) — 2 ideas - [kariarc's ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/2432411/list/kariarc-s-ideas) — 2 ideas - [wrought iron ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/11037673/list/wrought-iron-ideas) — 2 ideas [See all 3 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/kariarchitect) ## Community Q&A **Q: Tell us: Do you send thank you gifts to clients?** *(in Design Dilemma)* Do you send thank you gifts to clients over the holidays? If so, what do you send? Has it been received well? Tell us! (photos encouraged) A: We give our clients Kids Draw Architecture Calendars every year and they are a huge hit for all. Kids Draw Architecture is a free annual sketch program sponsored by the Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara \[non-profit\] where the kids draw local historical buildings at two sessions in the springtime. Their artwork is displayed in December at the AFSB Art Gallery. Great program & great gift idea! Available for purchase at AFSB... **Q: Love the yellow sofa. Where can I buy one like it?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: My client bought it, so i cannot tell you the source for the sofa...but looks like the designer above has some ideas. cheers! **Q: Tiles** *(in Photo Questions)* Where are those beautiful, Quetzal tiles from? A: My client went to Mexico for all the tiles. Not sure where... **Q: Dimensions of this guest room** *(in Photo Questions)* Please , I'm trying to fit in a guest room. Thanks A: The Family/ Guest Room is 10'-2" x 9'-8" \[tv wall to couch wall\]. It works really well with the built-in media cabinet. The angle of the photo makes it look much wider. **Q: Gorgeous tile! Who is the manufacturer, please?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: I am pretty sure it was Malibu Tile Works **Q: Bed cover** *(in Photo Questions)* Where is it from? A: Probably from Mexico, where the client bought most of their accents and furnishings. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-11-04.*