Houzz Tours
My Houzz: An Architect's Contemporary Green Home
An architect in Ojai, California builds his dream family home with a bedroom rock climbing wall, built-in bunkbeds and a stunning deck
Solar panels on the roof, radiant heating and cement floors are just a taste of the sustainable features in architect Otis Bradley's Ojai, California, house. Bradley designed the home to be as efficient as possible in Ojai's dry landscape, while integrating the aesthetic needs and wants of his family of four. "I like to blend practical building materials and methods in a unique way," Bradley says. "The great thing about designing and building your own house is that you get to experiment with your ideas."
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Otis Bradley, his wife and two children, and their two dogs
Location: Ojai, California
Size: 3,400 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
That's interesting: Bradley wants to design his next home to be even more sustainable — something that sinks into a hillside, for instance.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Otis Bradley, his wife and two children, and their two dogs
Location: Ojai, California
Size: 3,400 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
That's interesting: Bradley wants to design his next home to be even more sustainable — something that sinks into a hillside, for instance.
Rather than going with a traditional floor plan, Bradley designed a great room for many different purposes. The kitchen, dining room and living room are all on the top floor, creating an open yet intimate space.
"Every room gets used often," Bradley says. "There are a lot of cool spaces to hang out."
The home's clean lines are softened by warm hues and the textured tile and wood surfaces. The kitchen has a contemporary feel but is still designed to feel inviting and practical.
The home's clean lines are softened by warm hues and the textured tile and wood surfaces. The kitchen has a contemporary feel but is still designed to feel inviting and practical.
After seeing some of Bradley's renderings, a family friend and artist came up with a selection of color palettes for the family to choose from. The result is a combination of rich shades of reds, blues, and greens.
Bradley created ample built-in storage space, such as this shelving unit in the living room. "My wife likes clean lines and no clutter," he says.
Bradley created ample built-in storage space, such as this shelving unit in the living room. "My wife likes clean lines and no clutter," he says.
"I like a lot of structure exposed in my designs," Bradley says. "There are a lot of rectangles and square edges in the house, but I don't like sleek, stark lines. There is a lot of patterning and richness."
The home's staircase leading to the upstairs living area has nothing to hide. The structure's beautiful combination of rich wood and steel is fully exposed.
The home's staircase leading to the upstairs living area has nothing to hide. The structure's beautiful combination of rich wood and steel is fully exposed.
Everyone in Bradley's family had their demands, including the kids. Both teens wanted their own bathrooms, large built-in desks and a space in the home to call their own. A rock climbing wall provides a punchy accent in their shared bedroom.
Each bathroom features two button toilets to help reduce water waste.
Each bathroom features two button toilets to help reduce water waste.
A high slanted roof helps keep the sun out in the summer and the inside of the home cool. Bradley installed plenty of windows, boosting the energy of the open plan with natural light.
The master bathroom fits all the couple's needs with a large open shower and his and her sinks lined with colorful blue and green tiles.
Bradley built these bunk beds into the wall in an extra room leading outside. These are a fun and efficient solution for additional sleeping needs, like when his two kids host sleepovers.
"The design of this house is directly related to the surrounding climate and environment," says Bradley. "It is much harder to come up with an idea that works with your own parameters, than just copying another style."
One of Bradley's favorite places in his home is the deck. The slanted roof provides shade, and a cool breeze always flows through.
The surface of the deck is made of Trex, a durable, low-maintainance mix of wood and plastic.
One of Bradley's favorite places in his home is the deck. The slanted roof provides shade, and a cool breeze always flows through.
The surface of the deck is made of Trex, a durable, low-maintainance mix of wood and plastic.
The pathways and patios found throughout the property are made of repurposed slabs of concrete from old sidewalks and driveways. It was important for Bradley to be conscious of the environment with his design. The landscaping consists of all native plants that don't need irrigation.
"It is an amazing site," Bradley says. "It's close to town but feels far away and has a secluded feeling. There's nothing here but us and the hawks."
Houzz call: Do you have a creative, ecofriendly house? Show us your home and it could be featured on Houzz!
Houzz call: Do you have a creative, ecofriendly house? Show us your home and it could be featured on Houzz!