Samarkand

Fabulous home designed by renowned architect Lutah Maria Riggs on one of the most sought-after streets in Samarkand.  Built in 1938, this one-level Cape Cod was handsomely expanded in 1992 to 2,408 square feet of living space, including a large master suite, plus an oversized garage.  A lovely private courtyard leads you into this warm, light-filled home with magnificent mountain/city views, hardwood floors throughout, the original fireplace and many charming built-ins and abundant storage.  The flexible floor plan features three bedrooms, an office and three baths.  Several decks/brick patios invite you to enjoy the many pleasures of outdoor living in Santa Barbara. 

When asked by John Yale what a home should represent, Ms. Riggs responded:  “Shelter from the elements, a place of retreat and rest, a place of happiness if possible, and enough beauty to provide a life for the spirit.” 

This remarkable home has all of these wonderful attributes!

Who was Lutah Maria Riggs?

Lutah Maria Riggs was an American architect who worked for several decades in the Southern California region.  She was the first licensed female architect in Santa Barbara, and the first woman in California to be named a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects. 

Riggs completed her B.A. as well as her graduate degree in Architecture from Berkeley.  Once she moved to Santa Barbara, she worked as a draftswoman for the noted Spanish Revival architect George Washington Smith.  She travelled with the Smith family on their architectural study trips to Mexico in 1922, and Europe in 1924.  She contributed significantly to the designs for some of Smith’s most well-known buildings, including the Lobero Theatre, El Paseo historical complex, and Casa del Herrero.

In 1928, Riggs obtained her architectural license.  She continued to work for George Washington Smith until he died in 1930.  Shortly thereafter, Riggs started her own firm, and went on to complete many residential projects for clients in the Santa Barbara/Montecito area as well as commercial work.  One of her famous buildings from 1956 is the Santa Barbara Vedanta Temple.  Riggs continued to practice architecture through 1980 and passed away in Montecito in 1984.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia