Building Community
Driven by mission and powered by placemaking, DMHA Architecture + Interior Design leaves their mark on the local landscape
The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern in Los Olivos
Written by Jenn Thornton
Photography by Caitlin Atkinson, Erin Feinblatt and DMHA
With placemaking at the heart of its award-winning practice, Santa Barbara–based DMHA Architecture + Interior Design is dedicated to making the world a better, more beautiful place. For more than three decades, the firm has helped shape California’s Central Coast through an exceptional portfolio of custom residences, boutique hospitality destinations, commercial environments, and transformative community projects.
Despite a legacy spanning hundreds of successful commissions, the Partners believe their most exciting work still lies ahead. “While some may see us at the top of our game, we believe we are just getting started,” say Founding Partners Michael Holliday, FAIA; Ed DeVicente, AIA; Ryan Mills, and Michael Stroh.
That future has been strengthened by the addition of Senior Project Architect Erik Holliday, AIA, who joined DMHA after 12 years with nationally recognized LPA Design Studios. Bringing award-winning design experience, fresh energy, and a new generation of leadership, he reflects the firm’s commitment to innovation while honoring the legacy on which it was built. “We are a collective of individuals who love what we do, and do what we love.”
That passion is evident throughout DMHA’s work. The firm’s philosophy centers around creating “inspired architecture that works” design that is timeless, thoughtful, financially responsible, and deeply connected to its surroundings. Placemaking is more than a design philosophy; it’s the foundation of every project. Whether revitalizing Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone, helping transform Linden Square in Carpinteria, or restoring the historic Hotel Santa Barbara, DMHA creates places that strengthen both the client experience and the surrounding community.
Among the firm’s signature hospitality projects is the restoration of The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern in Los Olivos, where the team helped preserve and reimagine the beloved 1886 landmark as Auberge Resorts Collection’s celebrated luxury destination. In nearby Solvang, DMHA transformed The Landsby, converting an aging hotel into an elegant Scandinavian-inspired boutique retreat that has become one of the Santa Ynez Valley’s defining hospitality experiences.
The firm’s residential work is equally distinguished. Estates throughout Santa Ynez Valley, Montecito, Hope Ranch, and Santa Barbara reflect each owner’s vision while responding thoughtfully to the landscape. Projects such as the Spyglass Ridge Residence—a striking composition of concrete, steel, and glass overlooking the Santa Barbara coastline—and a timeless Tuscan Farmhouse Estate demonstrate the firm’s ability to create architecture that is both enduring and deeply personal.
Behind every successful project is an equally important relationship.
DMHA believes extraordinary architecture begins with extraordinary collaboration. “Our clients are the heroes of every story,” the Partners say. “We have the privilege of serving as their trusted guide through planning, design, permitting, and construction. Our responsibility is to lead with creativity, technical excellence, and unwavering commitment toward realizing the destination of their dreams.”
That collaborative philosophy extends beyond architecture. Guided by the belief that “we should give before we get,” DMHA invests its time, talent, and resources in organizations that strengthen the communities it serves. Through pro bono design work, charitable contributions, mentorship, and civic leadership, the firm has supported Habitat for Humanity, Santa Barbara Humane, and the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission, among many others.
“Our clients are the heroes of every story.”
For the Partners, architecture is about far more than designing beautiful buildings. It is about creating places where people gather, communities flourish, businesses prosper, memories are made, and future generations feel connected to something larger than themselves.
As DMHA enters its next chapter with expanded leadership, renewed creative energy, and an ever-growing portfolio of transformative work, its purpose remains unchanged: to create timeless architecture, enduring relationships, and extraordinary places that enrich lives for generations to come. 1 N. Calle Cesar Chavez, Suite 102, Santa Barbara, dmhaa.com
