OSTRICH FARM LOFT (DESIGN PHASE) EMERGING FROM THE SHELL OF SOUTH PASADENA'S HISTORIC CAWSTON OSTRICH FARM, THE OSTRICH FARM LOFTS ARE LIVE/WORK SPACES THAT REPRESENT ADAPTIVE REUSE AT IT'S MOST FLEXIBLE AND INNOVATIVE. THIS 1000 SF UNIT WAS IN IT'S RAW STATE WITH ONLY A SMALL KITCHENETTE AND BATHROOM FIXTURES. THE CLIENTS WANTED TO CREATE A MORE REFINED ENVIRONMENT, YET MAINTAIN THE HISTORIC QUALITY OF THE BUILDING. MOST IMPORTANTLY, THEY NEEDED A LOT OF STORAGE SPACE.

THE SOLUTION WAS TO TRANSFORM THE INTERIOR WALLS INTO FULL HEIGHT CABINETS, WHILE LEAVING THE ORIGINAL BRICK OF THE EXTERIOR WALL EXPOSED. THE FLUSH PANEL CABINET WALLS ARE INTEGRATED IN A WAY SO THEY STILL FEEL LIKE WALLS, BUT BY PRESSING ON A PANEL THEY OPEN UP TO REVEAL STORAGE. THIS KEEPS THE SMALL FLOORPLAN UNCLUTTERED WITH UNNECESSARY STORAGE FURNITURE, YET PROVIDES AMPLE SPACE TO STORE ALL THE CLIENTS STUFF.