Artist James T. Hubbell

James Hubbell sculpts unique living environments from nearby materials, providing beautiful shelters for humans to dwell in harmony with nature. Over the past fifty years he has shared an inspiring vision of the spirit of nature made tangible in glass, wood, metal, concrete, and stone, in homes, schools, gardens, pavilions, nature centers and peace parks around the globe. He is also founder and guiding light of the Ilan Lael Foundation.

 

Architect Drew L. Hubbell

Drew Hubbell studied architecture in the U.S. and Europe, apprenticed in a firm specializing in historic restoration, and then put his skills and knowledge to work in tandem with his father’s. Drew’s commitment to the ideals of organic beauty espoused and manifested by James deepened and extended to include issues of green building processes and materials. He has worked with regulatory agencies to develop the use of more sustainable materials and processes, pioneering permitted straw bale structures in San Diego city and county.

 

Together

Artist-father James Hubbell and architect-son Drew Hubbell work collaboratively with clients, architects, designers, artisans and fellow visionaries to marry soul-stirring beauty to the practicalities of living in harmony with nature’s designs. They bring to each project an open-hearted ability to create aesthetic, environmental and spiritual solutions through the integration of design and art. Their familiarity with craft materials and processes ranges from metals, clay, cements and wood to stained glass. Through a wide network of artisans in the San Diego area, they have access to a full range of craft disciplines.

Education

Cranbrook Art Academy – Bloomfield Hills, Michigan – 1955-56
Whitney Art School – New Haven, Connecticut – 1952
Choate School, Wallingford, Connecticut – 1950

Selected Commissions

 

Buildings

Hubbell Compound – Santa Ysabel, CA – seven buildings – 1958 to present
Guest House – Orcas Island, WA - 1998
Beaton Residence – Jamul, CA – 1997
Pickering Park and Amphitheater – Issaquah, WA – 1995
School – Tijuana, Mexico – 1990 to 1996
Gay Residence – Julian, CA – 1991
Brooks/Conheim Guest House – La Jolla, CA – 1990
Vint Residence – Del Mar, CA – 1983 to 1984
Sea Ranch Chapel – Sea Ranch, CA – 1984
Triton Restaurants – San Diego and Cardiff, CA – 1975 & 1978

 

Stained Glass Windows and Doors

Congregation Beth Am – Del Mar, CA – Torah doors & windows - 1999
Children’s Environmental Center – Tecate, Mexico – four doors - 1998
Good Samaritan Episcopal Church – La Jolla, CA – windows – 1993
Camp Stevens – Julian, CA – doors, windows, mosaic – 1987
Rancho La Puerta – Tecate, Mexico – doors and windows – 1985
Findhorn Community Hall – Findhorn, Scotland – carved doors w/leaded glass windows – 1982
Vivian Webb Chapel – Webb School – Clairemont, CA – six memorial windows – 1982-1989
Palace Doors – Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – eighteen doors – 1981
Piedmont Community Church – Piedmont, CA – windows – 1978
All Souls Episcopal Church – San Diego, CA – windows – 1970

 

Sculpture/Mosaic and Other

Briercrest Park – Grossmont Hospital Community Center, La Mesa, CA - 2002
Office of Small Business, City of San Diego – San Diego, CA – bronze sculpture - 2000
Del Mar Library – Del Mar, CA – bronze sculpture – 1999
Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala – San Diego, CA – St. Anthony Sculpture & Garden – 1999
Quail Botanical Gardens – Solana Beach, CA – bench, fountain, and sculpture – 1996
Pickering Park and Amphitheater – Issaquah, WA - 1995
Crest Corporate Center – City of Escondido – steel and bronze sculpture – 1995
Catholic Charity Center S.H.A.R.E. – San Diego, CA – employee chapel – 1990
City Center – City of Carlsbad, CA – downtown renewal – 1988-1992
Trinity Episcopal Church – Escondido, CA – bronze fountain- 1988
San Diego County Courthouse – Vista, CA – facade – 1978
San Diego Mission de Alcala – San Diego, CA – twelve sculptures – 1976-1982

 

Awards and Recognitions

Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award – United Nations Association San Diego Chapter - 1999
Orchid Award, San Diego Chapter A.I.A. – for work at Camp Stevens, CA - 1997
International Visitor Council, Special Award – Vladivostok/San Diego Sister City Association – 1997
Honorary Professor – Far Eastern State Technical University – Vladivostok, Russia – 1994
C-3 Revelle Award for lifetime dedication to the arts, environment and urban planning – 1994
I.F.R.A.A., (Interfaith Forum on Religion, Art, and Architecture), an A.I.A. affiliate – citation award for excellence in design for the Sea Ranch Chapel – Sea Ranch, CA, 1987 and 1993
Gold Nugget Award – Pacific Coast Builders Conference – for Sea Ranch Chapel – 1985
California State A.I.A. Excellence in Craftsmanship Award – for Sea Ranch Chapel – 1985
National Endowment for the Arts – Panel Member – 1981

 

Documentaries and Videos

The Making of the Pacific Rim Parks – “All Under Heaven” - 2002
The Making of Pacific Rim Park – “Pearl of the Pacific” – San Diego - 2000
Home & Garden Television – Extreme Homes - 1999
Soul and Earth Park – International Student Design/Build Project – Russia – 1996
Ninos de Esperanza: Children of Hope – Hubbell & Carlson, Runch Films – 1994
You are the Miracle, Exploring the Creative Process – Andrea Simmons – 1994
Kuchumaa Passage – Apprentice Workshop “Soil and Soul” – Tecate, Mexico – 1990
KPBS Television Special, “The Art and Vision of James Hubbell” – 1989

 

Selected Publications

Meilach, Dona Z. – “Direct Metal Sculpture” – Schiffer Publishing Ltd., Atglen, PA - 2001
Decor & Style Magazine: James Hubbell Architect = Integrating Art & Landscape – August 1999
“Oceanside Museum of Art Retrospective Catalogue: James Hubbell,” Artra Publishing – 1998
Hess, Alan – “Hyperwest: American Residential Architecture on the Edge, “ Whitney Library of Design – 1996
Swan, James – “Dialogues with Living Earth, Quest Books – 1996
Dudek, Mark – “Kindergarten Architecture: Space for the Imagination,” E & FN Spon – 1996
Oster, Tim – “Organic Architecture in California,” World Architecture, Issue No. 30 – 1995
Architectural Design Magazine, “Organic Architecture,” Profile No. 106 – 1995
Woodbridge, Sally – “Sea Ranch Meditation Chapel,” Progressive Architecture – June, 1992
Staff – Articles in “Fine Home Building,” – January and March, 1991
Rigan, Otto – “The Palace Doors of Abu Dhabi” – Hidden House Publications, Palo Alto, CA – 1982
Rigan, Otto – “From the Earth Up,” McGraw-Hill – 1979

 

Recent Shows

Trios Art Gallery - Solana Beach, CA - 2002
Yantai University – Yantai, China - 2001
Santa Ysabel Art Gallery – Santa Ysabel, CA – 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001
Shusev Central Museum of Architecture – Moscow, Russia 1998
Oceanside Museum of Art, Retrospective – Oceanside, CA 1998
Artists Gallery – La Jolla, CA – 1997
Trios Gallery – Solana Beach, CA – 1995 & 1997
Catholic Church National Art & Architecture, Form & Reform – San Diego, CA 1995
Athanaeum Art Library – La Jolla, CA – 1988 & 1991
Vladivostok – USSR – 1990

 

Workshops and Lectures

New School of Architecture – San Diego, CA - 2001
University of California San Diego – San Diego, CA – 1999
Community Built Association Conference – Malibu, CA /1995, Oceanside, CA /1997 & Santa Barbara, CA/1999
Sustainable Communities – Findhorn, Scotland – 1998
Institute of Contemporary Arts – London, England – 1995
Royal Institute of Architecture – London, England – 1995
Catholic Church National Art & Architecture, Form & Reform Conference – San Diego, CA – 1995
Apprentice Workshop, University of China - Yantai, China - 2001
Apprentice Workshop, Pacific Rim Park – San Diego, CA - 1998
Apprentice Workshop, Omega Institute of Holistic Studies – Rhinebeck, NY – 1991 & 1995
Apprentice Workshop, Yestermorrow Design/Build School – Warren, VT – 1995 & 1996
Apprentice Workshop, Far Eastern State Technical University – Vladivostok, Russia – 1994 & 1995
Apprentice Workshop, Volcan Mountain Preserve – Julian, CA – 1993
Apprentice Workshop, Rancho La Puerta – Tecate, Mexico – 1990

 

Foundations

Ilan-Lael Foundation – Promotes art in the community and art education – Founded by James T. Hubbell
– 1982 to present
San Diego/Vladivostok Sister City Society, Co-Founded by James T. Hubbell
Tijuana/San Diego Sister City Society Advisory Board
Pacific Rim Park Foundation – Artistic Director

 

 

Practice

Licensed to practice architecture in the state of California C - 24104 1993

 

Awards

San Diego Home & Garden Sustainable Home of the Year 2001
San Diego Union/Tribune - selected to design Home for the New Millenium 2000
Russian Medal of Architecture 1998
West L.A. Cultural Affairs Commission: "Outstanding Renovation" 1997
(Ivy Substation and Media Park)

 

Education

University of Arizona Tucson, Arizona Bachelor of Architecture 1988
Danish Institute of Study Copenhagen, Denmark 1987
Pacific Lutheran University Liberal Arts Study 1980-1982

 

Experience

Hubbell & Hubbell, Principal 1994-Present
Friehauf and Associates, Project Architect 1995
Milford Wayne Donaldson, FAIA, Project Architect 1988-1994
Bokal Kelly - Markham Architects, Intern 1986

 

Summary of Professional Experience

Drew Hubbell's diverse background ranges from historic restoration to adaptive reuse of existing structures to custom residential design. He specializes in sustainable architecture, green building materials and the use of alternative building materials such as straw bales, adobe, and sprayed concrete construction. Currently he is in partnership with renowned artist James T. Hubbell, merging art and architecture in ecologically and aesthetically mindful ways.

Drew Hubbell designed the first permitted straw-bale structure in San Diego County and is currently working on a number of straw-bale projects, including private homes and an inner-city meeting house for a combined group of Friends and Brethren Churches in partnership with the Peace Resource Center. Hubbell & Hubbell Studios recently completed a Seed Bank for the San Diego Wild Animal Park and an Environmental Learning Center sponsored by Rancho La Puerta for the children of Tecate, Mexico. The buildings are formed from sprayed concrete, mimicking the boulders of the local landscape.

Drew's education includes the architectural program at the Danish Institute of Study, Copenhagen, Denmark. His extensive travel throughout Europe, Asia, and the United States allowed for an architectural survey of historic material and building techniques, providing him with a rich design vocabulary.

Drew is a member of Citizens Coordinate for Century 3, working on the committee for San Diego's Master Plan, "Towards a Permanent Paradise." He also participates in the North Park Main Street and El Cajon Boulevard redevelopment programs. In addition, he is involved in the American Institute of Architects (AIA)-Environmental Special Interest Group and is a member of the California Straw Bale Association (CASBA), Sustainable Community Action Network (SCAN), and the Newschool Arts Foundation Board.

 

Juergen Zierler has worked with Hubbell & Hubbell Architects since 1998 as a project architect/designer for many of the firm’s residential and commercial endeavors. He studied architecture on both North American coasts and in Europe, giving him a unique perspective on the architect’s role in society. Juergen believes that besides creating spaces and environments that fulfill and satisfy the senses, the architect must understand his role as arbiter and facilitator of the future, addressing the needs of future generations while acknowledging the limited resources that we must share today to create and maintain the built environment. His goal has been to create environments that sensitively address the clients’ individual needs and desires and are as gratifying to the immediate senses as they are respectful of generations to come.

Click for Juergen’s personal statement