LUA: 2014

12.22.2014

Hope Ranch Estate | In Progress

After taking the original residence down to its basic frame, the residence was rebuilt with significant alterations to the architectural style, second floor addition, and new detached structures. The residence now features a second floor with enhanced views of the Santa Barbara foothills and pacific ocean. Detached structures include a pool cabana and guest house, using green roof systems to blend structures into the hillside.

11.20.2014

Beach house - furniture delivery

Crews deliver equipment and furniture to our project on miramar beach. This project is under the final phase of construction.

Architect | AB Design Studio, Inc.

Interior Design | Winick Architects

11.05.2014

LUA Project | "Another 100 of the World's Best Houses"

Spotted! LUA's Montecito Modern residence featured in "Another 100 of the World's Best Houses."

The residence and guest house are situated in the gently sloping foothills of Montecito, California, enjoying panoramic views of the Santa Barbara Harbor, the Pacific Ocean, and surrounding mountains. The irregular shaped site affords many views and privacy to the interior spaces. Introducing the structures into the pan and disturbing the natural landscape as little as possible were the most critical aspects of the design plan.

A serpentine driveway and garden wall lead from the street entry gate to the motor court at the front of the main house, which is a two-story contemporary villa with extensive terraces and lawns for relaxed indoor and outdoor living. A 50-foot bridge links the infinity pool and spa terrace of the main house, through a canopy of oak trees. The two-story residence features full-height windows and a curved bay window that provide wonderful light and filtered views through the trees of the ocean horizon. -Cynthia Reschke, Pacific Houses

Architect Ronald Frink Architects Inc.
Location Montecito, California USA
Area 3,952 sq. ft.

9.08.2014

Modern Dwell - Final Phase!

Modern 3,200 sf residence in Montecito with design by DesignARC. LUA was involved during pre-construction assembling the construction team and working to achieve the owner's goals. Special features; rift cut white oak cabinetry with dark stain, various natural stone countertops and full height quartz stone back splashes, bleached oak wood flooring, portuguese limestone exterior flatwork, ipe and structural i-beam trellises with LouvreTec operable shading system, RadioRA lighting controls, and Sonos audio systems.

Completed photos coming soon!

"Architect's Lunch" DesignARC and LUA meet at the residence for lunch.

8.19.2014

New LUA project

Architecture | Ronald Frink Architects, Inc.
Landscape | Kris Kimpel Landscape Architecture

LUA Beach House

Architect | AB design studio, inc.
Interior Designer | Winick Architects

7.16.2014

Featured Project | Video

Friends,

LUA recently completed an architectural feature video of a beautiful estate project completed a few years ago. This is a private video, so please use the password below to view.

LINK

http://vimeo.com/100444220

Password: sbestate01

PROJECT TEAM

Contractor: LUA

Architect: DesignARC

Interior Designer: Chris Moore

Landscape Architect: Kris Kimpel

Video by JNorth Productions.

6.27.2014

Montecito Residence Nearing Completion

LUA is nearing completion on this contemporary home in Montecito designed by DesignARC. This has been a very rewarding project with wonderful clients that are super appreciative of the organized LUA building process.

Stay tuned for photos of the finished product!

Architect: DesignARC
LUA Project Manager: Brandon Friggione
LUA Superintendent: Martin Jarchow

6.09.2014

Smaller Scale Projects | Mesa Modern

This successful project was made possible with collaboration among the homeowner, design team, and LUA. LUA's management of costs and schedule earned the certificate of occupancy ahead of schedule and completed the contract scope on budget. Along with providing a cost effective project, we deliver a higher level of quality and craftsmanship that LUA has a reputation for. Most importantly, another happy client!

"Leonard Unander Associates did a phenomenol job on our 2nd home in Santa
Barbara. Their attention to detail was second to none. They were always willing to work with us to make changes and come up with new and innovative ways to solve problems without breaking the budget. The documentation at each stage was excellent and always complete and detailed. We couldn't have asked for a better GC. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking to build a new home." - Thomas Smead

Architecture & Interior Design - Michael Holliday & Jerri Rocci - http://www.dmhaa.com

Landscape Architecture - Brian Brodersen Associates - http://www.brodersenassoc.com

Structural Consultants, Inc. - Van Sande Structural Consultants, Inc. - http://www.vansandestructural.com

This project consisted of demolition of an existing house and construction of a new residence. The new single family residence includes a 2,272 s.f. 2 story structure, 4 bedroom house with attached 500 s.f. garage. Some noteworthy features include; radiant floor heating, metal roof system with mounted solar system, lighting and control system by Savant, exterior Massa wood siding, raised concrete planters, concealed gutters and downspouts, energy efficient equipment throughout, and wall pocketing aluminum clad exterior doors.

6.03.2014

LUA Project | Film Project

Filming of our Hope Ranch Estate project underway! Stay tuned for the upcoming film featuring this successful project.

-Videographer, Jesse Natale JNorth Productions

5.16.2014

CURRENT PROJECT | HOPE RANCH ESTATE

Architect | Blackbird Architects
Landscape Architect | Van Atta Associates

4.11.2014

Hope Ranch Contemporary

Large walls of glass provide stunning views! This project consists of a 7,500 square foot residence, pool/spa, pool cabana, and guest house. A remarkable design that takes full advantage of this spectacular property.

Architectural and Interior Design | Blackbird Architects

4.06.2014

Miramar Beach House

architect | AB design studio, inc.

interior design | Winick Architecture & Design

4.02.2014

Montecito Contemporary | Project Update

New 3,200 custom contemporary residence designed by DesignARC. Located in Montecito, California this home has been appointed taking full advantage of the indoor/outdoor lifestyle. Special features include floor to ceiling glass wall systems, audio/visual systems, etc. Green building compliance and initiatives have been provided to promote energy efficiency.

3.16.2014

Montecito Project | Open House

As another project comes to successful completion, LUA enjoyed celebrating with our clients last night at their open house party. The views are stunning from this hilltop site, and even more dramatic with the infinity edge pool.

The LUA Project Team (from left to right)
Zak Dematteo - Project Superintendent
Leonard Unander, Jr. - Project Manager
Leonard Unander, Sr. - Principal

Music by Kenny Loggins and his band.

Architect: Tom Meaney
Landscape Architect: Kris Kimpel
Pool Subcontractor: Macaluso Pools

We're thankful for great Clients and Project Team that have worked with LUA to complete another fantastic project. Stay tuned for portfolio images of this home.

www.unanderconstruction.com

3.10.2014

HOPE RANCH ESTATE | PHOTOS

This project was made possible with the collaboration of all project team members. From the most early stages of preconstruction to the final punch list, LUA implemented services to ensure a smooth building process. Please visit our website to see more photos...completed photos

"From the very beginning stages of digging and waterproofing our basement to the finish tile, quality work at the best "cost/value" relationship possible has always been the method of operation. Our experience with their billing process, accounting system, planning, bid tab process has been excellent. As a final note I must comment on the LUA moral compass and their level of personal and business integrity without blemish."

-homeowners

Project Team

Architect | Cearnal Andrulaitis

Landscape | Kris Kimpel Landscape Architect

Interior Design | Chris Moore Interiors Design

2.24.2014

Hilltop Estate | Montecito CA

Architecture by TOM MEANEY | ARCHITECT

2.21.2014

SB Magazine | Best of 2014

Please check out LUA's latest ad in the Santa Barbara Magazine Best of 2014!

2.10.2014

LUA Projects | Miramar Beach House

Custom beach house underway...LUA, architect AB Design and interior designer Barry Winick join forces to turn this conceptually beach house into reality. Careful consideration and planning is provided to ensure a successful construction process. This is not an ordinary construction project...exposure to weather, proximity to neighbors, logistics, etc.

Architect | AB design studio, inc.

Interior Design | Winick Architecture & Design

1.31.2014

LUA Small Projects | New Custom Mesa Residence near completion

-Beautiful modern design by DMHA Architects
-Landscape Architecture by Brodersen Associates Landscape Architecture
-Completed photos coming soon!

For projects big and small, LUA has the management and supervision to ensure a successful project. We are dedicated to controlling costs, schedule, quality and most importantly exceeding our client's expectations.

Testimonials

"LUA did a phenomenal job on our home. Their attention to detail was second to none. Always willing to work with us to make changes and come up with new innovative ways to solve problems without breaking the budget. Their documentation at each stage was excellent and always complete and detailed. We couldn't have asked for a better general contractor. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking to build a new home."-Thomas Smead

"It has been a tremendous pleasure to work with LUA on my home. Their skill, professionalism, quality and attention to detail is amazing and I have been incredibly pleased with both the process and the result. Moreover, whenever any changes were needed, they have been tremendously diligent. I would unreservedly recommend them to anyone building a home in the area." -Richard Pollack

"We are pleased to say that from first impression through the two-year building process with LUA, it was one of the most pleasurable experiences relating to home building that we've had to date. With backgrounds in design, real estate, and building, we were quite frankly looking for perfection. We were not disappointed with our expectations of the LUA team and the various subcontractors that they brought to the experience. They introduced us to new concepts and materials, were organized, working in a timely schedule, and were cost conscious. During what can be a stressful process, they were a pleasure to work with and can be truly trusted to deliver not just a completed project, but a HOME."-Eric & Nina Phillips

"We have built &/or remodeled over 15 high end homes in 3 states (California, Hawaii, & Washington). Nobody compared to LUA in terms of quality & attention to detail. If you have high standards & you want to be assured of the best possible outcome, there is really no other choice.”-Rowland and Mary Hanson

"We chose LUA as the builder of our dream house because we were impressed by the family nature of the firm, their long experience in Santa Barbara, their good relations with the best subcontractors, their attention to detail and their integrity. They worked closely with our architect and our owner's rep early on the project, which enabled significant cost savings via value engineering. They never deviated from best building practices. The quality of the work and professionalism of the supervision and management was superb. We are extremely happy with the finished product, Villa Ravello. We cannot recommend LUA highly enough."- Floyd Bradley

"From the very beginning stages of digging and waterproofing our basement to the finish tile, Quality Work at the best "cost/value" relationship possible has always been the method of operation. Our experience with their billing process, accounting system, planning, bid tab process has been excellent. As a final note I must comment on the LUA moral compass and their level of personal and business integrity without blemish."- Mark & Cathy Zoradi

"LUA, Inc. is a professional organization of impeccable integrity. They provide a finished product of the highest quality as a result of their willingness to work closely with their clients."-Linda and Doug Wood

"We are so pleased with your work and want to say thank you for all your efforts. We were always informed of what would be happening, when there would be noise, when they needed to get in the house, etc. - thanks for your clear communication. The cleanup was amazing every single day and the finished project was beyond our expectations."-Gayle and Pam Beebe

"In my over 30 years of practicing architecture in Santa Barbara there is no contractor that I would rather work with than Unander Associates. Their quality and care, their attention to detail, their extraordinary efforts to please their clients and their determination to create beautiful enduring architecture is without equal. From my very first project working with Leonard Unander in 1987, our projects together have been a joy. Even when things get difficult and challenging, Leonard and his team always take the upmost care in resolving issues and ensuring a positive outcome. Each and every one of their clients receives truly extraordinary service.""I cannot more highly recommend Unander Associates!"- Brian Cearnal, AIA, LEED AP | Cearnal Andrulaitis LLP

"On behalf of Leonard Unander Associates, Clint Unander managed the remodeling of our new home in 2009 following the loss of our previous home in the Tea Fire of November 2008. Clint proved to be supremely well organized, an outstanding manager who responded immediately to any requests and could always be counted on to follow through. He has an excellent eye for detail and a real pride in quality of workmanship. And equally important, he has a pleasant and easygoing manner that makes him a pleasure to work with. We were also very pleased with the general contracting services provided by Leonard Unander Associates. The company's records were always precise and current, subcontractors were all first rate, and billing was fully backed up with all relevant documentation. We would recommend both Clint and Leonard Unander Associates with enthusiasm."- Benjamin J. Cohen and Jane S. De Hart

"I have had the fortunate opportunity to collaborate with LUA on more than one project, each has been an exercise of superior quality, conscientious decisions, and management clarity leading to beautiful results."- Mark Shields | Senior Project Designer, DesignARC

"I have been fortunate enough to work with LUA on numerous custom residential projects and they are consistently my premiere choice when it comes to choosing a general contractor. From the on-set of each and every project and throughout the construction process, every member of LUA is dedicated to being part of the overall team. They diligently work with the clients and designers to ensure that the project is run as smoothly and seamlessly as possible. This type of dedication makes the often daunting task of building a home, a delight. Their attention to detail and craftsmanship are bar none and I can say without a shadow of a doubt, that when I refer LUA, my clients will be in the best hands possible and that the end result will not only be beautiful, it will be exceptional. There is no one else I would rather work with."- Bree Medley | Bree Medley Designs

"I have known Leonard since first moving to Santa Barbara in the late 1970's, and was fortunate enough to retain him on a rather unique master bathroom addition and remodel at my own house. Over the last 30 years, we have worked closely with LUA on at least a dozen very exceptional projects. I would consider their work to be the gold standard in the arena of high profile residential construction. Their overall integrity coupled with attention to quality, detail and stellar service support their fine reputation."-Gregory K. Van Sande | Van Sande Structural Consultants, Inc.

"LUA, Inc. is well known in the Santa Barbara and Montecito communities for their integrity, attention to detail, and passion for their work. Their financial stability, coupled with a 40 year track record of satisfied clients, makes them one of the very best."-Andrea Borgioli, Vice President & Sr. Investment Manager, Wells Fargo Private Bank

"Our firm is the oldest and one of the largest in Santa Barbara. We have worked with many architects, general contractors, and owners on high end residential projects. There is no question that LUA, Inc. is one of the very best. The quality of work, professionalism, and approach to problem solving consistently exceeds expectations of their clients and win them well-deserved praise. We would highly recommend them for any residential project."-Christopher E. Haskell | Price, Postel & Parma LLP

"While living in New York at the time, my wife and I interviewed many general contractor firms before ultimately deciding on LUA, Inc. We were looking for a company that had an excellent reputation in Santa Barbara for delivering a high quality custom product with a focus on detail. It was also very important to have someone we could trust given we were 2500 miles away while our project was being built. And, we really wanted a firm that was known for keeping the construction site clean and would be respectful of our neighbors during construction. We were thrilled with the results!"-Tom Kenny & Susan McMillan

"Having worked with LUA on several projects, I find that their level of craftsmanship, attention to detail, and integrity to be of the highest standard. Each member of the staff is eager to accommodate not only the client, but the designer and architect as well. LUA understands that each project is a team effort with the goal of producing a well built and beautiful home for the client."-Chris Moore | Chris Moore Interior Design

"I couldn't have imagined a more pleasurable experience than working with LUA. With absolute devotion to both the client and their craft, they provide the highest level of service, and yet also find a way to meet and exceed the demanding expectations of the highest quality residential details. They are at the top of our preferred contractors in Santa Barbara, and not surprisingly have made the experience of building a new home a pleasurable one for many a client."-Domiane Forte | Principal, Forte & Associates

"RPM Architects has found Leonard Unander Associates to be simply the best general contractor in the Santa Barbara area. They are extremely competent, trustworthy and work at the highest level of their trade. They successfully translate our designs into reality to the great satisfaction of the owner."-Robert Peale Mehl | RPM Architects | www.rpmarchitects.com

"Their attention to detail was exquisite. They have all been a pleasure to work with."-Mrs. Dorothy Roberts

"In over 40 years of practicing interior design I have never had a better experience with the contractor than I had on the Lilac Project with LUA. Your complete attention to every aspect of the project and your team spirit and willingness to jump in and try to solve any problem (no matter if it was your problem or not) was a revelation to me and the people with whom I work. Your attitude and ability was also evidenced by all your amazing subs. Leonard, it was a JOY working with LUA...I congratulate you on being one of the very best. You deserve all your great success."-Patti Skouras | Patti Skouras et Fille

"Stonemark has worked for 3 years with LUA, Inc. through all phases of a new, large major estate project. As we served as the Owner's Rep, we know their team very well. From early pre-construction to post-construction closeout, they exhibited an uncompromising commitment to quality and craftsmanship. Their flexibility in performing whatever was needed for the project and level of service to the client was unparalleled in my experience. I highly recommend them and look forward to working with them again."-Bart Mendel | President, Stonemark Construction Management

"We wanted someone with a creative vision that would translate our dream into a functional and aesthetically pleasing home that was built with attention to detail. We will always appreciate the hard work, ingenuity, honesty, craftsmanship and care that Leonard put into making our house a beautiful home."-Mr. and Mrs. Nagler

"Our new home is a modest contemporary; smaller in scope than a typical LUA project. Even with our scale and design, there was enthusiasm and attention to detail with every aspect our project. The team lived up to a reputation of being first class in service and execution, and stood firm in the belief that the highest standards are nothing less than acceptable. Working through the design build process with LUA gave us the assurance that we were making smart decisions and the result is a home that we love. Family friendly service is rare in todays world, and we have the best of the best in our own community."-Andrew & and Cindy Bermant