A Family Legacy Built in Wood and Vision
Dubbed “Montecito’s Whole Earth Architect” by the Montecito Journal in 2020, Easton blends technical brilliance with soulful storytelling. His approach to building is anything but ordinary—and neither is his story.
Easton’s passion for craftsmanship runs deep, shaped by generations before him. His great-grandfather, a cabinetmaker and undertaker from Edinburgh, Scotland, immigrated to San Francisco in the 1830s. There, he built a cabinetmaking business so successful that the family eventually owned an entire city block, which was sold just before the infamous 1906 earthquake and fire.
Easton’s father, James D. Easton, took innovation further. After a near-fatal hunting accident in his youth, he became fascinated with archery and went on to design the modern aluminum arrow, revolutionizing the sport. The Easton family’s sporting goods empire eventually expanded into baseball bats, hockey sticks, and ski poles—products that remain household names.
It’s no surprise, then, that Bob Easton’s creativity and drive would find its outlet in architecture. But the path he took was anything but linear.
From Drafting Tables to Domebooks to Architecture
Raised in postwar Los Angeles, Easton designed his first building at 16 and later attended USC and UC Berkeley, though he never formally graduated. He studied architecture in London and built homes in Hawaii and Big Sur before returning to California in the 1960s. There, an encounter with Buckminster Fuller at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur changed everything.
Inspired by Fuller’s vision of sustainable, systems-based design, Easton joined forces with counterculture icons Stewart Brand and Lloyd Kahn to co-create Domebook 1, and Domebook 2—groundbreaking publications that documented the hippie homebuilding movement. These books became cult classics, selling hundreds of thousands of copies and igniting a generation’s passion for alternative shelter. He also co-authored Shelter, which remains in print today.
His collaborations with anthropologist Peter Nabokov led to Native American Architecture, a landmark publication that remains in print through Oxford University Press. The book earned Easton an American Institute of Architects (AIA) Honor award and reflects his deep respect for indigenous design traditions—another thread of his holistic architectural vision. He has also co-authored Santa Barbara Architecture, locally published by Tailwater Press—a compendium of Santa Barbara’s built heritage.
Easton’s work, whether in buildings or books, is about creating meaningful, lasting inspirations that enhance the human experience. One could say his work began by focusing on philosophy, about questioning how architecture could serve the Earth, community, and consciousness. That ethos continues to shape his work today.
Designing for Icons and Individuals Alike
Over the years, Easton has created custom homes for an impressive list of clients, including Barbra Streisand, Suzanne Somers, Jane Fonda, Michael Douglas, Michael J. Fox, Joe Cocker, Barry Manilow, and Beach Boys legends Mike Love and Brian Wilson. Even Charo of “Cuchi-Cuchi” fame called on Easton for his distinctive touch. One of his Montecito masterpieces, a 9-acre estate located in the foothills of Toro Canyon, is pictured above. The fully reimagined and remodeled main residence seamlessly blends elements of Modernist, Pueblo Revival, and Japandi design—at times subtly, at times strikingly.
But celebrity or not, each project is approached with the same thoughtful care. His designs are always rooted in place—organic, purposeful, and deeply personal.
“We don’t have a ‘look,’” Easton has said. “We listen, we collaborate, and we let the site and the story inform the design.”
Local Masterpiece
His work is visible throughout Montecito, Santa Barbara, and beyond—from ocean-view estates to hillside sanctuaries—including the Toro Canyon Estate pictured above. Newly reimagined, Easton’s signature remains unmistakable: thoughtful detailing, grounded materials, and a quiet confidence that lets the natural surroundings shine.
Set on approximately nine private acres between Montecito and Summerland, this architectural gem features a dramatic 17-foot vaulted ceiling and high-end Portuguese limestone floors.
A sparkling infinity-edge pool takes center stage outdoors, perfectly positioned to capture sweeping views of the canyon and coast. Surrounding them, pergola-shaded terraces and serene gardens embrace the spirit of indoor-outdoor living. Every detail invites connection with nature, with stillness, and with the art of refined living, making the estate a true testament to Easton’s timeless vision and architectural integrity.
Preserving the Past, Building the Future
Easton is not just a master of new builds—he is also one of California’s most respected historical renovators. His work on the Montecito Country Club, All Saints-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, and the Old Montecito Firehouse have preserved some of the enclave’s most beloved structures.
The All Saints restoration, in particular, underscored Easton’s sensitivity and structural ingenuity. When it was discovered that the 120-year-old church façade had no foundation, Easton was brought in to stabilize, restore, and reimagine it—while preserving its spiritual and architectural soul.
“It’s a different kind of responsibility,” he said of historical renovation. “You’re not just designing—you’re honoring history, emotion, and community memory.”
Bob Easton
That reverence runs through all his preservation work, from ensuring earthquake safety to maintaining the aesthetic integrity of early 20th-century design.
Montecito’s Whole Earth Architect
With a career that spans cultural revolutions, celebrity commissions, and award-winning preservation, including a world-class archery training center for Olympic hopefuls in Chula Vista, California, Bob Easton’s legacy is as rich and layered as the structures he has created. Yet through all the evolution, one truth remains: his work is grounded in the land, inspired by humanity, and guided by a lifelong passion for building with purpose.
Whether you're seeking a custom home in Montecito, a heritage renovation in Santa Barbara, or a visionary design rooted in sustainability and soul, Bob Easton, AIA, Architect, remains one of the most trusted and imaginative voices in California architecture.
My current and recently sold Santa Barbara, Montecito, and Hope Ranch listings feature architectural treasures designed by noted architects, including Bob Easton. I invite you to explore them on my comprehensive website. If you see something you love, feel free to contact me at (805) 886-9378 or Cristal@montecito-estate.com for a complimentary consultation.
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