When Preservation Becomes the Most Compelling Design Decision: Inside Santa Barbara’s Casa Iglesia
Written by Ethan M. Stone
The adaptive reuse of a historic church demonstrates how architecture, history, and contemporary hospitality can coexist without compromising the integrity of any one element.
There is a tendency in redevelopment to view existing buildings as problems to be solved.
An outdated floor plan. An obsolete use. A structure that no longer serves the purpose for which it was originally designed.
The solution is often framed as change.
Yet some of the most enduring projects begin with a different assumption. They begin by asking what deserves to stay.
Casa Iglesia offers a compelling example.
Originally constructed in 1924 as the home of Santa Barbara's First Christian Church, the building has spent more than a century evolving alongside the city around it. In 1957, renovations introduced the Mediterranean-inspired silhouette and blush-colored façade that would become familiar to generations of Santa Barbara residents.
Today, following an extensive redevelopment led by AB Design Studio and architect Will Rivera, the historic structure has entered a new chapter as Casa Iglesia, a 37-key boutique hotel.
What makes the project noteworthy is not the transformation itself, but the decision to build upon the character that already existed.
"The most successful adaptive reuse projects don't begin with what a building can become. They begin with understanding what makes a place worth preserving in the first place," said Arvand Sabetian, founder of ZenStay.
Rather than treating the former church as a blank canvas, the redevelopment worked within the framework of the existing structure, preserving its identity while adapting it for an entirely new purpose.
Architecture can be replicated. History cannot.
That distinction helps explain why adaptive reuse continues to resonate across architecture, design, and hospitality. New construction can recreate a style or borrow from historical influences. What it cannot replicate is the accumulation of history that gives a building its identity.
At Casa Iglesia, preservation was not treated as an obstacle to modernization. It became the foundation for it.
"By pairing thoughtful adaptive reuse with a forward-thinking hospitality model, we've created a guest experience designed for the contemporary traveler," said Sabetian.
The philosophy is perhaps most visible in the decision to preserve the building's original footprint, allowing the structure's architectural framework to remain central to the experience.
"My vision for Casa Iglesia was to preserve the character of the old church while creating something warm, calm, and timeless," said Shaliz Nakashima, hotel interior designer and wife of founder Arvand Sabetian. "We kept the original footprint and opened the atrium in the center to create an outdoor gathering space that became one of the defining features of the hotel. The design has Spanish and Moroccan influences, with the goal of creating a place that feels transportive and welcoming, like a hidden retreat with a story behind it."
The design language reflects that vision throughout the property. Rather than attempting to recreate the church's past, the interiors establish a dialogue between old and new. Natural materials and layered design elements introduce warmth and texture, while contemporary furnishings and finishes ensure the spaces feel relevant to modern travelers rather than frozen in time.
The atrium is perhaps the project's most significant architectural intervention. Introduced within the building's existing framework, the open-air space draws natural light into the heart of the property and creates a visual connection between the building's various levels. The addition feels significant without overwhelming the architecture that was already there.
The resulting property spans approximately 15,000 square feet across three levels and offers a collection of studios, lofts, and two-bedroom accommodations organized around the central atrium.
The project's success lies in its refusal to treat preservation and transformation as opposing objectives.
Historic buildings are often viewed through opposing lenses. Some advocate for restoration. Others push for reinvention. The most successful projects frequently exist somewhere between those positions.
Casa Iglesia achieves that balance without compromising either. Original architectural character exists alongside contemporary design elements, creating a property that feels connected to its past without being confined by it.
"We didn't want guests to feel as though they were staying in a preserved monument. We wanted them to feel connected to the history of the building while experiencing it in a way that feels welcoming and relevant today," said Nakashima.
That approach has become even more important as architects, designers, and developers reconsider the role historic structures can play within contemporary communities.
The conversation has moved beyond preservation for preservation's sake. The question is no longer whether historic buildings should evolve, but how they can do so while respecting their architectural identity and remaining relevant to modern audiences. The most successful projects recognize that adaptation and stewardship are not mutually exclusive.
The value of preservation is often discussed in cultural or historical terms, but it is also a design advantage.
For designers, the challenge is often less about preservation than interpretation. The goal is not simply to protect a structure from change, but to determine which elements deserve emphasis. Successful adaptive reuse requires discernment in what is altered and confidence in what is left alone. Often, the strongest design decisions recognize that a building's existing character is not a limitation, but an asset.
Buildings with history possess qualities that are difficult to manufacture. They arrive with a sense of identity already embedded within their walls. They carry the marks of previous eras, uses, and generations. When handled thoughtfully, those qualities become part of the project's appeal.
Nearly a century after its construction, the building at 1915 Chapala Street in Santa Barbara continues to serve a purpose, albeit a very different one from that envisioned by its original congregation.
Its use has changed. Its future has been reimagined.
What made it worth preserving remains.
