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Overview

This small studio residence of the Santa Barbara architect George Washington Smith became an early and much-admired example of the Spanish Colonial Revival Style in Southern California. It had a more studied character, reflecting prototype buildings in Spain directly, and was coincident with the Mediterranean Revival--with its mixed influneces from Italy, Spain, Portugal and Southern France-- that took root in the region in the 1910s and 1920s. These styles became replicated as architects increasingly traveled abroad in these countries, filling sketchbooks with architectural drawings of whole vernacular buildings and particular motifs.

Building History

This first residence designed by architect George Washington Smith for himself was completed in 1917. The house featured a large studio space on its first floor for Smith's use. Smith named the house "El Hogar" ("The Home.")

It was sold to Craig Heberton by either the late 1910s or 1920, and he renamed it "La Casa Dracaena." Under the ownership of Smith and Heberton, the house became heavily published in architectural literature and popular homes magazines as an example of a new, charming approach to design, seen as appropriate to the climate and heritage of Southern California.

Building Notes

Architect's own house.

In 2019, the Smith House #1 had an asking montly rental cost of $15,000 and a price of $4.5 million. (See Erik Torkells, Site LIne.com, "George Washington Smith’s First House Is for Rent," published 11/11/2019, accessed 11/09/2021.)

PCAD id: 24238