Over the past 43 years, The Cearnal Collective has grown from founding-principal Brian Cearnal’s dining room into a dynamic architecture and interior design firm recognized for its landmark contributions to Santa Barbara’s architectural legacy. 

Rooted in a tradition of collaborative, insightful design, and shaped by our team’s strong commitment to leaning into every project with integrity and delight, we deliver high quality design solutions rooted in the fundamental goals and aesthetic sensibilities of our clients and community.

We provide comprehensive architectural services through every phase of a project - from site assessment, concept design, and land-use entitlements through construction documents, contractor selection and bidding, and construction administration. Our clients range from nonprofit organizations to international organizations, and our portfolio spans a broad range of work, including mixed-use multifamily developments, civic projects, hospitality design, commercial tenant improvements, and single-family residences. The scope of services and expertise provided by our skilled designers is a creative partnership uniquely tailored to the client’s needs, and we are proud that recurrent clientele make up 85% of our annual projects.

Under the leadership of principals Brian Cearnal, Christine Pierron, Jeff Hornbuckle, and Laura Hudson-Benard, The Cearnal Collective is a close-knit team of architects and designers (and four office dogs!)  who genuinely enjoy working together. We believe great work comes from collaboration - not only between our team members, but with our clients, consultants, craftspeople, and communities.  When not working on Santa Barbara’s next masterpiece, you’ll find us covered in chalk from i Madonnari, jogging in a myriad of 5k fundraisers, or chatting at our legendary Friday afternoon happy hour (kudos for guessing why it’s called “Beer 30”!).

Did we mention we throw the best Fiesta party in town?