Southern California's deserts and coastlines are notorious for their low rainfall, intense sun, and dramatic temperature swings—and climate change is only intensifying these challenges. At OJB, we believe in humans' fundamental right to comfortable outdoor spaces, even in severe climates. When confronting environments often described as "harsh" or "intolerant," we are compelled to develop innovative solutions to climate-related challenges.

 

Our practice is grounded by research, informed by place, and tied deeply to nature. Regardless of scope or setting, we design places that foster connections between people and the natural world. Often, this means reframing harsh ecological conditions as profound opportunities for creative placemaking and sustainable design. Three recent projects in Southern California exemplify these tenets: a private retreat in the low desert; a hotel in the heart of a sun-drenched city; and a new urban district along the San Diego waterfront embedded with art and designed for discovery.