Check out architect Drew Hubbell sharing the story behind the Friends Center in this beautifully produced video by Dave Jensen:

“Join architect Drew Hubbell of Hubbell & Hubbell Architects for a tour of the Friends Center, a Quaker church in Southern California and the first permitted straw bale building in the City of San Diego.

The Friends Center is more than an innovative green building—it’s a place where architecture gives physical form to a culture of peace. Home to the Peace Resource Center and the American Friends Service Committee, the campus was designed to bring people together through community, contemplation, and a deep connection to the natural world.

That spirit extends to the way the building came to life. Volunteers gathered for traditional “bale raising” events, transforming the act of construction into a shared community experience and creating a lasting sense of ownership.

The project also reflects the artistic legacy of Hubbell & Hubbell Architects. Artist and architect James Hubbell created the Peace Crane sculpture and the swirling courtyard mosaic. Inspired by the Quaker tradition of teaching children to fold origami cranes that are sent to Japan each year as peace offerings, these works embody the building’s enduring message of reconciliation, hope, and human connection.

Natural materials, daylight, passive ventilation, integrated art, and community participation come together in a powerful example of human-centered architecture—one that reminds us that the most meaningful buildings are those that help people care for one another.” – Dave Jensen

Learn more about the Friends Center here.