Gridley Road House, Ojai, California

This residence was commissioned in 1985 as a location for retirement. The site, an existing 2 1/2 acre avocado grove, sits on a gentle slope with a commanding view of the Ojai Valley to the south and of the Topatopa range to the northeast. Foothills rise dramatically behind the site which borders the southern end of the Los Padres National Forest. Additionally, a rock lined barranca cuts through the site, bisecting the grove and providing a backdrop for the house.

The 3600 square foot residence was designed to accommodate the daily needs of the client living on the main floor.  The lower floor is used for guest rooms, a study and a workshop, providing the house with a height that allows for an impressive vista over the grove.