M
Photo:
Kelli
Uldall
Tom Meaney
Photo: Holly Lepere
D
uring architecture school, Tom Meaney spent a year spent studying in Rome. The lessons from that
trip still influence his work.
"It impressed upon me the charm of handmade materials, simple building forms, and colors that fit with
the site, topography and terrain," he says.
Meaney, who splits his time between Santa Barbara and Carmel, specializes in custom residential projects
ranging from ocean-view adobes to sprawling farmhouses with soaring ceilings. He enjoys working closely
with clients and construction teams to coordinate design details, calling the collaborative process one of his
greatest joys.
When he's not at the drafting table, the architect turns to ar t. Meaney par ticipates in street-drawing festi-
vals, where he creates temporar y chalk drawings that provide a counterpoint to his professional work.
"Architecture is about straight lines and permanence, and it's about lasting forever. The street ar t is for my
own enjoyment," he says. "It's all about the process, rather than a lasting project."
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