Jeff Doubet shares boutique Spanish hotels recently completed. Before + after photos, and the early concept drawings that were then developed and refined by a well-known architectural firm in Santa Barbara, CA.
It was in 2007 when I first began helping local property owners re-envision one of their properties that would become part of their boutique Spanish hotels portfolio.
BEFORE PHOTO: My client had purchased two adjacent commercial buildings. They desired to combine them to make one cohesive structure. Basically, converting two fixer upper properties into one beautiful hotel.
AFTER PHOTO: The final result of an organized collection of team efforts. There was an investment in a variety of ideas by different design and architecture professionals.
Designing Boutique Spanish Hotels in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara California has a distinctive style in our local Spanish architecture. Whether they are commercial structures or residential properties- there are artistic formulas that are incorporated to achieve the look, including Spanish hotels!
By the time I was invited into this particular project, the property owner was already working with an architectural firm and they were designing floor plans and combining traffic flow of two commercial buildings.
BEFORE PHOTO: I would soon meet with the property owners on site. We discussed the design dilemmas inherent in combining two dissimilar buildings. I also receive a set of plans for how the project architect had begun to figure out the floor planning.
AFTER PHOTO: Not to get ahead of myself, but here is a sneak peek at how this elevation turned out.
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Spanish Hotel Design Drawings by Jeff Doubet
BELOW: A master set of Spanish hotel design drawings I developed. It was my creative process for exploring various design ideas that could be incorporated into the new elevations. Basically… options for how the Spanish hotel could be built.
The top middle section of this sheet are the CAD profiles of the existing buildings.
ABOVE: My initial thoughts for a couple of new roof decks include a bar, hot tub, fire pit, lounge chairs and tables with umbrellas. A way to create inviting outdoor public areas for each hotel suite.
It would enhance guest enjoyment of the surrounding views of downtown Santa Barbara (and at the same time, increase the profit in nightly room rates for the owner).
A BEFORE PHOTO of the De la Vina Street facade of the two fixer properties. The design puzzle was to figure out how to blend features of the one story building with the boxy 2 story next to it.
Spanish Hotel Design Elevation Drawings by Jeff Doubet
Here I share more of my thoughts while designing elevations for the De la Vina street hotel.
Design Concept #1 proposed building a red tile roof over the stairwell, and opening up a view to the staircase by building a tall archway element showcasing a large pendant light. Two wrought iron Juliette balconies would break up the large wall above the parking garage.
Two large tower elements with red tile roofs would anchor the top of the two story building. Large planter boxes and wainscoting created with chiseled local Santa Barbara sandstone would visually anchor the foundation of the one story sections.
Design Concept #2 proposed building a red tile roof over the stairwell, opening up a view to the staircase with a tall archway element. Two wrought iron Juliette balconies would break up the large wall above the parking garage. Copper gutters, leader heads and downspouts…
Two flat roof sections with plaster detailing will anchor the new red tile roof section in between them. A large new section of red tile roof on the one story building gets a mini tower bump up. It breaks up the massing- and visually helps transitioning roofs at the taller sections.
Design Concept #3 proposed building a red tile roof all along the top section of the 2nd story flat roof- anchored by two plaster columns. A single wrought iron Juliette balcony was paired with a large window with iron planter and clay pots on all.
The staircase to the second story ensuites is more enclosed with a plaster pony wall with corbel detail that transitions up to an observation landing with iron railings. Awnings on the single story door openings help balance the entire design composition.
Spanish Hotel Construction In Santa Barbara, CA.
Here are a few in process photos of how the two existing buildings were built out to make one cohesive hotel.
The property owner and their architectural team mixed, matched, and massaged favorite design elements from my early design concepts to come up with a viable and attractive project.
ABOVE: The major structural modifications are now built, and the rebirth of a cohesive renovation of two adjoining buildings is under way.
Here, you can easily see the combination of various design elements selected from Concept Renderings #1, 2 and 3 (above), and how they are incorporated into the final hotel design.
An expert lather installs woven wire mesh made of galvanized steel. More commonly known as “chicken wire”, the installation of the wire mesh is a critical step, just before the cement stucco is applied.
If you scroll up, you can see the Juliette balcony was first built “structurally”. Then, on this day, the Artisan builders install the refined details of the Juliette balcony. Utilizing architectural foam, a very artistic shape begins to come alive.
AFTER PHOTO: Classic combinations of Spanish-style building materials, techniques and colors have been brought together to create a beautiful new composition of Santa Barbara Spanish architecture.
6″ half round copper gutters with smooth gooseneck downspouts were incorporated. Dark stained wood rafter tails on long eaves contrast well with the off white integral color plaster. Spanish Colonial Revival style black wrought iron details for railings and awning brackets are other forms of architectural jewelry.
Oversized cast concrete planter boxes with smooth trowel integral color plaster match the exterior facades.
A cast concrete bridge with high quality detailing is a perfect design feature accenting the newly built, creek-side Spanish hotel.
Santa Barbara Boutique Spanish Hotel Design Drawings
Here were some more of my design drawings I came up with for the hotel.
Design Concept A proposed building a large gable roof (right) to enable a large swath of red tile roof at the streetscape. A “sister” gable is proposed for the second story roofline. This gives the actual long flat roof on the second story some character. A wood arbors structure, open air covered patios with corbel details and red tile roofs add interest to the guest experience.
Roof decks on the one story portion of the hotel are designed with plaster walls, columns and wrought iron railings. French doors with awnings, large clay pots, copper gutters + downspouts and lots of wrought iron lighting add to the building details.
Design Concept B proposed building a gable roof and substantial plaster door surround for the main entrance to the 1st floor of the Spanish hotel. Complimentary gables on the second floor balance out the long flat roof section of the 2nd story.
A small wood arbor structure with grapevines and market umbrellas at tables on the roof decks are places for guests to sip their morning coffee, or enjoy a glass of wine at the end of the day. And a Santa Barbara Spanish style chimney adds character to this facade.
Santa Barbara Spanish Hotel Design Drawings Continued
Design Concept C proposed a third story design element- a charming, mini facade with red tile roof, cantilevered cupola with copper finial. And Cement plaster grilles add classic Santa Barbara Spanish details. In the foreground, a gable roof protects an open air covered patio area and features Juliette balconies of wrought iron. Other areas of the roof decks enable guests to enjoy city views, as well as the creek, below.
Santa Barbara Spanish-Style Commercial Building Construction
Sharing a few more photos of the construction of this boutique Spanish-style hotel in beautiful downtown Santa Barbara.
Once all of the decorative framing was completed, it was clad with structurally rated plywood. The plywood is then weatherproofed with 60 minute Super Jumbo Tex (A weather resistive barrier).
As the project progresses the stucco team works with expanded metal and stucco netting in prep for the cement stucco process that will soon be applied.
Several months later, the final details of the project have been installed. The smooth coat integral color exterior plaster is an off white color and looks great with the terra cotta pots with Little Ollie miniature olive bushes. Red bougainvillea was planted to climb the walls.
A close up photo of another Juliette balcony at the back of the hotel. As shown in a photo further up, architectural foam was utilized for it’s intricate details. CLICK HERE to see and learn more about how you can incorporate foam into residential projects, as well.
Red bougainvillea vines are a staple on the list of classic Santa Barbara Spanish landscape plants. Here, they are being established on various walls of the new hotel. A hand-made iron wall mounted carriage light casts a beautiful shadow on the plaster wall.
More Jeff Doubet Spanish Design Drawings For Commercial Buildings
To see more of my Spanish design renderings for commercial real estate projects, be sure to follow my blog as I will continue to post more drawings and completed projects.
For example: In 2017, I developed this design concept rendering for the owners of BLANCO an Urban Venue on the beautiful, historic San Pedro Street in downtown San Jose, CA. They were in the process of re-envisioning a burned out project site and sought creative ideas for it. The finished project LINK is worth checking out. Particularly their rooftop deck with oversized Spanish style outdoor fireplace.
