Solar panels on the roof, radiant heating and cement flooring are just a flavor of the sustainable features in architect Otis Bradley’s Ojai, California, house. Bradley designed the house to be as efficient as you can in Ojai’s ironic landscape, while incorporating the aesthetic demands and needs of his family. “I like to blend practical building materials and methods in a exceptional way,” Bradley says. “The great thing about designing and building your own house is that you get to experiment with your thoughts.”
in a Glance
Who lives here: Otis Bradley, his wife and two children, and both puppies
Location: Ojai, California
Size: 3,400 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
That’s intriguing: Bradley wants to design his next house to be more sustainable — something that sinks to a hillside, for instance.
Lynn Malone
As opposed to going with a traditional floor plan, Bradley designed a great space for many different functions. The kitchen, dining room and living room are on the top floor, making a spacious yet intimate space.
Lynn Malone
Lynn Malone
“Every room gets used frequently,” Bradley says. “There are a great deal of cool areas to hang out.”
The home’s clean lines are softened by warm hues and the textured wood and tile surfaces. The kitchen features a modern feel but is still designed to feel inviting and functional.
Lynn Malone
Lynn Malone
After seeing a number of Bradley’s renderings, a family friend and artist developed a choice of color palettes for your family to select from. The outcome is a combination of rich colors of blues, reds, and greens.
Bradley created ample built-in storage area, such as this shelving unit in the living room. “My spouse likes clean lines and no mess,” he says.
Lynn Malone
“I enjoy a great deal of construction exposed in my layouts,” Bradley says. “There are plenty of rectangles and square borders in the home, but I really don’t like sleek, crude lines. There’s a lot of patterning and richness.”
The property’s staircase leading to the upstairs living area has nothing to hide. The structure’s beautiful combination of wood and steel is fully exposed.
Lynn Malone
Lynn Malone
Everybody in Bradley’s family had their requirements, including the children. Both teens desired their own bathrooms, large built-in desks along with a room in the house to call their very own. A rock climbing wall gives a punchy accent in their shared bedroom.
Each bathroom features two button bathrooms to help reduce water waste.
Lynn Malone
A top slanted roof helps to keep the sun out in the summertime and the interior of the house cool. Bradley installed lots of windows, fostering the energy of the open plan using natural light.
Lynn Malone
The master bathroom fits all of the couple’s needs using a large open shower and his and her sinks lined with vibrant blue and green tiles.
Lynn Malone
Bradley built these bunk beds to the wall in an excess room leading outside. These are an enjoyable and efficient solution for additional sleeping demands, such as when his two children host sleepovers.
Lynn Malone
Lynn Malone
“The design of the house is directly linked to the surrounding climate and environment,” says Bradley. “it’s a lot more difficult to come up with an idea that works with your own parameters, than simply copying another style.”
Among Bradley’s favorite places in his house is the deck. The slanted roof provides shade, and a cool breeze constantly flows through.
The surface of the deck is made of Trex, a durable, low-maintainance mix of plastic and wood.
Lynn Malone
The pathways and patios found throughout the house are manufactured of repurposed slabs of concrete from old sidewalks and drives. It was significant for Bradley to be conscious of the environment with his design. The landscaping includes all native plants that don’t need irrigation.
Lynn Malone
“It is an wonderful site,” Bradley says. “It is close to town but feels far off and has a secluded feeling. There is nothing here but us and the hawks.”
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