Mariposa Garden House
Boulder, Colorado
2019
3150 sf
Built atop an existing 1940s concrete foundation, Mariposa Garden House embraces a restrained approach to energy use, materials, and scale.
Energy performance drives the design. Strategic massing, orientation, and roof form reduce heating and cooling loads. An exposed concrete floor with radiant tubing provides efficient warmth, while carefully placed windows keep the home naturally cool in summer and warm in winter. Clerestory windows bring daylight and ventilation from all directions, and an 8 kW photovoltaic array enables net-zero electric operation.
A two-story masonry chimney anchors both the plan and material palette. Exposed rafters, plank ceilings, and ebony-stained cedar create an earthy character, while polished concrete floors reflect daylight and brighten the interior.
Architecture and landscape work as one. Gardens link each room to light, air, and sun, creating indoor-outdoor connections that make the compact interior feel expansive.
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