For nearly 8 decades, the Red Barn House has been a San Clemente, California landmark. The house was originally built in the ‘40s by a Japanese immigrant who came to the area by way of the Hawaiian Islands. Using salvaged redwood lumber from a demolished 19th century hotel, he built a humble home in the style of a traditional Hawaiian barn. Here, San Clemente’s first florist raised his family and operated his business for decades until his passing.

The current owner was drawn to the home’s humble scale, simple details, and eccentric character. Minimal alterations were made to the home’s street-front presence. Dramatic interior space was honed with minimalist detailing and material honesty. In an area dominated by Mediterranean-style stucco homes, the owner was determined to maintain its unique personality. Modern design elements were created using materials from the home’s unique history. Many new, modern details were created with weathered boards or clad with rusted steel from the original construction.

Detail and material design inspiration were drawn from the home’s unique history: a galvanized bucket, a pair of rusted pruning shears, tin roofing, and worn wood. The home’s modern stairway is built with galvanized steel planes. The studio’s oversized door is made with original interior boards that wear their weathered teal, pink, and white paint. The rear addition is clad with rusted steel planes and opens to the lush canyon-side backyard — home to a vintage Airstream Globetrotter that served as the owner’s lodging during construction. This polished aluminum beauty serves as both guest quarters and sculptured mirror, reflecting the yard’s stunning Birds of Paradise garden.

Year Completed: 2011
Type of Build: Residential renovation
BD, BA, SF: 3bd, 3ba, 1,900 SF

ADDITIONAL AWARDS
2014 AIA North Carolina Award

📷 : Harry Mark