Robert L. Ooley, FAIA
Architect/Author
Architecture * Planning * Historic Preservation
About Me
Hi, and welcome to my pages on the net. I am a native Californian, living on the Central Coast in Santa Barbara. While growing up, I did live in a few other western states but have spent most of my life in California. The main page image show something I enjoy doing while at the beach...the balancing of rocks on each other, with the Santa Barbara Warf in the background.
Becoming an architect is my childhood dream, and when I received that first license certificate, I was over the moon.
I can remember the hours of time spent in the back yard while growing up constructing cities to the scale of my hot wheel cars. What great fun. I am still having fun designing and building structures to scale.
The early part of my career was spent in the private sector working for local Santa Barbara architectural firms. The last 25 years or so have been in the public sector. The public sector exprience is very diverse afording me the opportuinty to be involved in every type of project you can think of, from housing to jails. I have to say that my favority projects are those for first responders--fire stations and medical clinics.
Writing has always been exciting for me...combining my love of architecture with the joy of story telling has provided opportunities to work on a number of books for publication. Additionally, I have an the opportunity to pen a number of short stage productions in support of local project fundraising efforts. Read more about my current book projects under "My Work."
Read MoreMy Work
Architecture & Planning
While my practice has focused in the public sector, I do on occasion take the opportunity to work on projects for private sector clients. I limit this work to small commercial, historic preservation or residential, if you have a project and you would like me to consider it, please feel free to drop me an email.
Historic Preservation
Historic preservation is really a passion of mine and I have had the opportunity to work on some amazing projects, include the Santa Barbara Courthouse. In addition, helping to document and designate historic resources is a specialty, including designation project submissions to the State Historic Preservation Office and National Parks Service
AIA and AIA College of Fellows
A 30-year member of the AIA and being elevated into the College of Fellows in 2015. I am currently serving on the Executive Board of AIA|California and a California Representative of the AIA College of Fellows. I am a past President of AIA Santa Barbara.
Book Projects
Current book projects include:
The story of George and Emily Stewart and their Frank Lloyd Wright house in Santa Barbara.
A California Architecture. This is a monograph of a California Golden Age master architect covering his work and life.
This is an architect’s travel guide to key architectural points of interest in Santa Barbara. This book is in the spirit of most of the AIA (fill in the blank city) that you find in most bookstores.
Contacting Me
Please feel free to drop me a note by email.
I look forward to hearing from you. Cheers!