Santa Ynez Chumash Museum & Cultural Center
Award
Architectural Engineering Project
Description
The opportunity to engage in the design of a unique and singular place that celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the Chumash Tribe may only come along once in a career. The Chumash Museum is designed to showcasing the Chumash people, both in tradition and in daily life, in the areas of medicine, language, song and music, tribal gatherings, family, and community. The outdoor space includes a 3.5-acre cultural park, native landscaping, amphitheater, outdoor exhibits, and a living Chumash village that allows visitors to learn about the sustainability and balance that have played important roles in Chumash culture for generations. The positive impact this project will have on the Chumash Tribe and community merits recognition. The ability to share the deep cultural of the Chumash people, foster community understanding by learning, and the implementation of sustainable design consistent with Chumash tradition distinguishes this project. This project achieved LEED Silver certification and won the Innovation Award from the U.S. Green Building Council in 2024 for water conservation.
