--- title: "Banyan Architects — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/banyan-architects-pfvwus-pf~755476193 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~755476193.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Banyan Architects" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/e153007b018a9bf4_8390-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "902 Calle Cortita, Santa Barbara, California 93109, United States" latitude: 34.4038 longitude: -119.7194 phone: "(805) 448-5213" website: http://www.banyanarchitects.org rating: 5 review_count: 16 best_of_houzz_awards: 1 followers: 48 last_updated: 2026-09-23 --- # Banyan Architects Original Houzz profile: [Banyan Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/banyan-architects-pfvwus-pf~755476193) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Santa Barbara, CA - **Serves:** Santa Barbara, Lompoc, Goleta, Carpinteria, Montecito, Mission Canyon, Toro Canyon, Summerland, Arizona, California, Hawaii - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (16 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 1 award (2019), for Design. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Recommended on Houzz - 1,000 Ideabook Saves Since Banyan was founded in Santa Barbara in 1995, Kirk has designed and completed over 300 projects of diverse types and sizes, demonstrating award-winning expertise in both traditional and contemporary styles. We listen and respond to your needs, dreams, ideals and constraints. From elaborate estates, to town-houses, condos and rental style multi-family housing, to more modest but distinctive single-family homes, we tailor our services and creativity to help facilitate and accommodate your investment. ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Building Design - Home Remodeling - Architectural Drawings - Custom Homes - New Home Construction - Home Additions - Home Extensions - Kitchen Design - Sustainable Design - Kitchen Remodeling - Energy-Efficient Homes - Floor Plans - 3D Rendering - Green Building - Bathroom Design - Space Planning - Home Restoration - Historic Building Conservation - Project Management - Handicap-Accessible Design ### Areas Served - Santa Barbara - Lompoc - Goleta - Carpinteria - Montecito - Mission Canyon - Toro Canyon - Summerland - Arizona - California - Hawaii ### Typical Job Cost $100,000 - 15 million ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Banyan Architects | | Address | 902 Calle Cortita, Santa Barbara, California 93109, United States | | Phone | (805) 448-5213 | | Website | http://www.banyanarchitects.org | | License Number | CA21367 | | Followers on Houzz | 48 | ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Banyan Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/banyan-architects-pfvwus-pf~755476193) - **Website:** http://www.banyanarchitects.org - **Phone:** (805) 448-5213 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - Licensed to practice architecture in California, Arizona and Hawaii, Kirk is a certified LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Professional with award winning projects and published work in Single Family and Multi-Family Custom Housing. - **Best of Houzz:** 1 award (2019), for Design. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 16 reviews** ### Reviews **★★★★★ — Rob Jenneve, July 2018** > Kirk is a talented architect and gifted artist. I had the pleasure of collaborating with him on a large residential project over several years, with spectacular results. > > Highly recommended if you are looking for an architect with an eye for detail. > > Rob Jenneve > Synergy Lighting Design **Comment from Banyan Architects:** > Thanks Rob. It was a pleasure working with you. > > kg **★★★★★ — Steve Dahl, July 2018** > Kirk is a master of the complexities of taking a project from just an idea through the planning process to approval. His ability to forsee issues and overcome problems is an amazing value add to a project! I was able to build a (4) residence building on a R-3 zoned property in Santa Barbara utilizing the AUD program. Kirk's guidance was essential while navigating this process and keep the project on track. He has a incredible architectural style and was able to adapt the project to multiple changes seamlessly. **★★★★★ — Bob Maloy, July 2018** > We did a major remodel on our home following the Jesusita Wildfire. > Kirk did an excellent job helping with design and material selection for our project. We highly recommend him. **★★★★★ — Tracy Blakeley, July 2018** > Banyan Architects should be on the top of anyone’s list if considering hiring an architectural firm. Kirk Gradin, principal architect for the company, is a true professional. I have witnessed his thorough communication with all parties involved and completion of projects are timely and within budget. > > More inspiring to me is Kirk’s passion for what he creates. Numerous hours of research, whether through travel or his extensive book collection, allow him to totally immerse himself in the design process. The results are evident with the attention to detail at every turn. > > Banyan Architects work collaboratively with the client, tradespeople and vendors. There is a gentleness in their approach of working together and with this kindness and respect to each other’s contributions, each finished project is exceptional. **★★★★★ — Joyce Van Wagoner, July 2018** > Our house delighted my husband and me when it was finished in 2003 and continues to until this day. This is due to primarily to the clever design aspects of our architect, Kirk Gradin. The house is equally attractive on the inside and the outside. With curved walls and varied ceiling > heights it makes all spaces very interesting. Everyone who comes in comments on what a lovely place it is. I'm sure anyone would be pleased to work with this talented architect. **Comment from Banyan Architects:** > Thank you Joyce. You and Jim were a delight to work with! **★★★★★ — arcadia studio, June 2018** > I am a landscape architect in Santa Barbara (Arcadia Studio), and have had the opportunity to work with Kirk on a variety of projects over the last 20 years. He is versatile in a variety of styles and his work always expresses quality and original thinking. Our work together has been diverse, from a small downtown plaza space to challenging Mediterranean style homes on hillside lots--all beautifully done. **★★★★★ — Raye Haskell, June 2018** > Kirk was my architect and part of a team with Dennis Allen & Assoc. and me in designing and building a custom, "green", craftsman-style home. From the moment he saw the property he was filled with ideas and thoughts about opportunities and challenges in building on a hillside lot. He was a pleasure to work with and the beauty of my home stands as a testament to his design skill. **★★★★★ — Renée Tillotson, June 2018** > Kirk Gradin of Banyan Architects has a clear eye for graceful, clean lines. He's skilled at finding creative ways to make even small or complicated spaces workable. He also visions grand, spacious homes and commercial buildings of beauty and refinement. His artistry of design is matched by his understanding of structural integrity. Our contractor was continually delighted by Kirk's foresight and precise, consistently correct detailing of our complex roof design, for example. Besides holding a high architectural standard himself, Kirk listened carefully to all of our many design ideas and requests, finding ways to incorporate them into the blueprints. He was also open to our changes along the way. The tougher the design challenges we threw at Kirk, the more creative his solutions! We couldn't be more pleased with an architect for our home than Banyan Architects. > > Kirk's ground-up design of our new house happened several years after his remodel design in industrial space for my two-story, 6,000 square foot yoga dance studio. This versatility is the mark of a talented professional. **Comment from Banyan Architects:** > Thank you Renee! Your island home is one of the most unique projects I have ever had the opportunity to work on. In some ways. All the creative input from yourself, your husband, the carpenters and artisans, made this into a one-of-a-kind dwelling. **★★★★★ — Kelli Barrett, June 2018** > Kirk was a pleasure to work with he is very professional he also listened to my ideas and explained his very clearly. Kirk has worked on at least three of my remodels at three separate locations. I would highly recommend him and will look forward to working w him again on my next project. **★★★★★ — Dennis Carlton, June 2018** > We had a long, happy relationship with Kirk over the course of a number of years as he designed a lovely, large home for my wife and me on Camino Viejo (Montecito / Santa Barbara) as well as three homes in a project on the Riviera, between Grand Avenue & Prospect. Both sites were on fairly steep hillsides, requiring extensive planning for soil-related matters and retaining walls. In both instances, there also were Design Review and Planning Commission issues and community hearings. From the creative process, in working with us to develop our visions . . . through completion of administrative requirements in the permitting process . . . to developing bid specs and coordinating the contractor selection process . . . and project supervision . . . Kirk and his staff were unfailingly sensitive to budgets and responsive and timely in all that they did to help us. **★★★★★ — Capitol Hardware, Inc, June 2018** > Capitol Hardware provided Kirk with Sun Valley Bronze hardware on a project requiring historic style hardware, for both wood and metal doors and windows. Exceptional and thorough attention to detail, scale, and also to respecting the client's budget. Successful project and a happy client! This home is a showcase. **★★★★★ — CommonGround, June 2018** > It is a great pleasure working with Banyan Architects. They are very talented, professional, and responsive. I highly recommend them! ## Selected projects - [Hawaiian Island Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hawaiian-island-home-pj-vj~3272487) - Location: Kaneohe, HI - Photos: 11 - Description: This steeply sloping 3 acre site located on the shores of Kaneohe Bay now harbors a unique, state-of-the-art solar powered home and guest house which combines features of traditional island architecture and domestic comforts with magnificent views, the natural beauties of wood and stone and carefully integrated works of Balinese art. - [Hillside Spanish-Moorish Estate](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hillside-spanish-moorish-estate-pj-vj~3274555) - Location: Santa Barbara, CA - Photos: 21 - Description: On a two-acre estate at the very crest of the Santa Barbara Rivera, this Spanish-Moorish style residence is now complete. With expansive views both towards the ocean and city as well as to the forested foothills, the 8,300 square foot home/resort is also a study in energy and water efficiency with a state-of-the-art grey water system, photo-voltaics, solar heated floors, recycled beams and flooring and a sophisticated wireless control system. - [Santa Barbara style retreat](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/santa-barbara-style-retreat-pj-vj~3282358) - Location: Santa Barbara, CA - Photos: 7 - Description: Perched above the city of Santa Barbara on a steep triangular lot, this award winning 3,200 square foot home was designed in a traditional Mission style vernacular. Sporting a three-car garage, an outdoor kitchen, infinity edge spa, fire-pit and fountains, this home captures the expansive ocean, island and city views from every major living area of the house. - [Hillside Hybrid](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hillside-hybrid-pj-vj~3274351) - Location: Santa Barbara, CA - Photos: 3 - [Montecito Hillside Craftsman](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/montecito-hillside-craftsman-pj-vj~3273058) - Location: Montecito, CA - Photos: 6 - Description: Based on the Greene and Greene bungalows of Pasadena, this hidden treasure of lower Montecito, combines traditional Craftsman design features and detailing with Platinum level energy efficiency. - [Rustic Mission Style Condominiums](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/rustic-mission-style-condominiums-pj-vj~3269122) - Location: Santa Barbara, CA - Photos: 9 - Description: This award winning condominium design is less than a block away from the historic Presidio in downtown Santa Barbara. It won a Santa Barbara Beautiful Award in 2006 and was published in 2008 by Rizzoli press in a coffee table book on 'California Mediterranean.' - [Andalucian Hillside Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/andalucian-hillside-residence-pj-vj~1782611) - Location: Santa Barbara, CA - Photos: 6 - Description: We are experts in steep hillside design. Here is another great example. A custom home built as part of a 5 lot subdivision on an oak-studded slope in which the owner requested an Andalusian (southern Spain) design vernacular. - [Hillside Spanish](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hillside-spanish-pj-vj~3282186) - Location: Santa Barbara, CA - Photos: 3 - [El Caserio](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/el-caserio-pj-vj~3274106) - Location: Santa Barbara, CA - Photos: 5 - Description: A small, rustic Mission style residence tucked away in an historic enclave near downtown Santa Barbara. - [Riviera Craftsman](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/riviera-craftsman-pj-vj~1782457) - Location: Santa Barbara, CA - Photos: 10 - [Contemporary Pueblo Multi-Family Housing](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/contemporary-pueblo-multi-family-housing-pj-vj~3284387) - Location: Santa Barbara, CA - Photos: 1 - Description: Bordering a neighborhood park and creek bed, this four-unit multi-family development on a 50’ wide lot, efficiently utilizes a carefully proportioned contemporary style as a simple but playful approach to help provide much needed worker housing on the west side of Santa Barbara. The owner expects to break ground this summer. - [California Bungalow](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/california-bungalow-pj-vj~3284345) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 3 - [Rincon Creek Story Book Cottage](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/rincon-creek-story-book-cottage-pj-vj~3284330) - Location: Carpinteria, CA - Photos: 2 - Description: Far from neighbors and the noise of city bustle and hidden from the road by a deep grove of avocado trees, this 1,000 square foot Story-Book cottage is a quiet retreat for the owner and a study in efficiency, dripping with charm. - [Hope Ranch Classic Mediterranean Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hope-ranch-classic-mediterranean-remodel-pj-vj~3284324) - Location: Santa Barbara, CA - Photos: 3 - [El Lado Este: Multi-family Housing](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/el-lado-este-multi-family-housing-pj-vj~3284384) - Location: Santa Barbara, CA - Photos: 1 - Description: In 2013, after 10 years of study and public debate, the City of Santa Barbara took a monumental step in helping to ease the lack of worker housing in the city limits by passing the Average Unit Density (AUD) Incentive Program. This ordinance allows for denser development in certain specified areas of the city “to support the construction of smaller, more affordable residential units near transit and within easy walking and biking distance to commercial services and parks.” Here, a four-unit mult… [See all 15 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/banyan-architects-pfvwus-pf~755476193) ## Community Q&A **Q: what type of flooring is used throughout the house? Thank you.** *(in Photo Questions)* A: There were 3 types of flooring used in this home. In this photo of the Master Bedroom you are seeing French Oak, wood plank flooring with a stain especially chosen to harmonize with the ceiling, the wood doors and other exposed wood features. The second type of flooring used in the Kitchen, Living and Dining Room areas, the Master Bath, Foyer and several of the outdoor patio areas adjacent to these main living areas, is a re-used limestone extracted from a chateau in France, imported and then carefully laid up in a random ashlar pattern. The third type of flooring is a machine cut limestone used in some of the bathrooms and hallways of the lower floor. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-23.*