Set in the quiet town of Ojai, California, this old pioneer shack was envisioned to come to life as a holiday home for a family of Los Angelenos. Designed by Klein, thoughtful play between the old and new was the two driving idea behind Casa El Rosario.
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"We’re always drawn to materials that feel honest and lasting and we felt that the tiles sit comfortably within the project’s material palette."
On the design:
The project started with a 1920s pioneer shack, and our approach was to carefully preserve its original character while extending it for modern living. We expanded the liveable footprint, and softened the edges between inside and out, for the outdoor areas to became a focal point for daily activities.
"We wanted the flooring to be as natural as the setting itself, something grounding for bare feet and everyday use, a slower pace of life in Ojai."
On material selection:
We chose the ORCA Brick Clay Tile for its earthy tone and natural warmth. We’re always drawn to materials that feel honest and lasting and we felt that the tiles sit comfortably within the project’s material palette. We also appreciated how they connect the residence to the landscape in a very tactile way. The pavers bring a softness underfoot and a sense of continuity across the project, guiding how the house is experienced.
Choosing to install the pavers groutless was an intentional nod to European brick floors, and our studio’s European roots. In this Ojai residence, we wanted the transition of stepping outside to be an uninterrupted flow. That continuity was important to us because the deck and outdoor areas are such a central part of how the family lives in the home. And for them, we wanted the flooring to be as natural as the setting itself, something grounding for bare feet and everyday use, a slower pace of life in Ojai.
