INTRODUCTION Mark Trabucco, President Among the glossy photos of multi-million dollar homes adorning the walls of Mark Trabucco's office, there is one picture that defines him more than the impressive display of his work over the years - a photo of two young boys clearly enjoying themselves at play, yet focused on their task at hand. They are working with tools and wood; creating, building. Mark is quick to point out this photograph. "That's me and my brother, Andy. We always were building things. My father had a woodshop and taught us about tools and materials. For Andy and I, this was playtime. We were having fun." Mark Trabucco still is having fun. Building has been in his blood for a long time and he's had the good fortune and savvy to fashion a successful career from what he truly enjoys. Mark and his brother, Andy, started working in carpentry and construction in Orange County in the mid-seventies. The brothers formed Trabucco & Associates, general contractors, in the early eighties when they were awarded the contract to build a large condo project in Santa Barbara. Both brothers moved to Santa Barbara to work on the project and have remained in the area. The team served as contractors on a variety of projects on the South/Central Coast until the early nineties. Mark, interested in focusing on custom home construction and development, decided to form his own company, Mark Trabucco Builder, based in Montecito. Andy continues at the helm of Trabucco and Associates, concentrating on commercial and housing projects. Today, Mark is respected for his talent in residential building and, in fact, is regarded as a specialist in the construction of high-end, architecturally significant homes and estates in Montecito, as well as selected projects throughout Santa Barbara County. "I always have had a great appreciation for architecture," Mark says. "I'm fascinated especially by the historical architecture of California." Mark's admiration and knowledge of classic architecture naturally puts him at the top of local architects' list. Mark has worked with esteemed architects such as Don Pederson, Jon Sorrell, Barry Berkus and Ketzel & Goodman on a array of custom homes that range in architectural style from French Country to Tuscan to Contemporary. Although Mark has been involved in restoration work, he prefers the challenge of a new creation. "I love to work with the client and the architect to achieve an authentic representation of a certain type of architecture," Mark says. "The challenge of taking new materials and giving them the patina of age and history... while meeting the demands of the landscape and the client's needs - that's exciting to me." Mark particularly is excited about a special project he recently completed - designing and building his own residence in Santa Ynez. "I wanted a house reminiscent of the hacienda style that permeated California from 1825-1850. I melded elements of the hacienda style with the ranch style of (architect) Cliff May. It was great to utilize my experience in working with adobe plaster and Mexican tile in a personal statement for my family." Mark clearly is energized about the future. Currently he's working on an Andalusian style residence with architect Henry Lenny and a modern residence with Design Arc, so his portfolio will continue to grow in scope and size. In ten years Mark has accomplished a substantial portfolio, including some of the most desired estates in Santa Barbara. A key factor in his success has been to keep his company small and not take on too many projects at once. "I only work on three custom homes at any given time in order to maintain a tight rein on every aspect of the project. Since my clients expect the highest quality, I need to be involved to ensure they get it," Mark says. Mark's projects often require a number of specialists, so he chooses specific subcontractors for each job. "This enables me some flexibility and it guarantees that the guys doing the job are the best in their field," he explains. Another important aspect of Mark's success is his ability to skillfully manage the dynamic relations among the architect, client and subcontractors. The combination of Mark's contagious enthusiasm and quick problem-solving skills contribute to his gift for getting the job done well while keeping everyone happy. "Working with the governmental permitting process does require patience and can be frustrating," Mark admits. "But, again, it's a challenge - a call to be creative," he enthusiastically adds. Most importantly, he certainly is having fun while contributing to the distinguished reputation of the South/Central Coast architecture and lifestyle. Reprinted with permission of Architect Builder Magazine April 2001 edition, article by Lauren Dechant. Mark Trabucco (foreground) & his brother Andy.        MTB Crew