The Mariposa Garden House reimagines a modest 1948 ranch into a modern, durable, and materially expressive residence—rooted in strong architectural form and anchored by a sculptural masonry chimney. Designed by Renée del Gaudio Architecture, the home preserves the original concrete slab while completely rebuilding the structure above, allowing the design team to maintain the footprint’s quirks while introducing bold exterior moves that elevate the home’s connection to its Colorado surroundings.

At the center of the exterior expression is the two-story brick chimney, which functions as both an aesthetic landmark and a structural anchor. As Residential Design Magazine notes, the chimney “grounds the house” and unifies indoor and outdoor gathering spaces. It houses a fireplace on the interior and an outdoor grill on the terrace side, allowing the masonry volume to act as an architectural hinge between levels. This brick massing also breaks up the home’s horizontal form, giving the low-slung ranch profile a vertical counterpoint. A stacked bond pattern is used to enhance this design element.

The architecture leverages simple, durable materials—brick, steel, and cedar—to create a clean, modern façade. Black-painted steel framing and ebony-stained cedar siding form a crisp backdrop for the masonry, highlighting the chimney’s texture and permanence. Large overhangs and exposed rafters extend the roofline and create deep shadow lines, reinforcing the home’s strong geometric presence.

Del Gaudio’s design introduces taller rooflines and a clerestory that lifts the original ranch profile, creating a more dynamic silhouette while improving daylighting and ventilation. Oversized glass openings and a 16-foot sliding door system connect the main living spaces to the exterior, but the masonry chimney remains the defining feature—visually grounding the home amid its rugged setting.

The Mariposa Garden House was designed to achieve net-zero electric performance, pairing a high-performance building envelope with an 8 kW rooftop solar array that offsets the home’s annual energy use. The all-electric residence incorporates radiant-heated floors and EV charging, allowing the home to generate as much energy as it consumes over the course of a year.

Durable, timeless, and materially honest, the Mariposa Garden House showcases how strategic use of brick can transform a simple ranch structure into an architectural statement built to last.

Discover how Casablanca, Glen-Gery’s 2026 Brick Color of the Year, can transform residential and commercial projects with its earthy tones, natural texture, and timeless appeal. 

Why Casablanca Is the Brick Color to Watch in 2026 

Brick continues to be one of the most versatile, sustainable, and durable building materials in architecture, and color plays a huge role in its impact. For 2026, Glen-Gery has highlighted Casablanca, a sun-bleached, organic hue that blends warmth, sophistication, and textural depth. 

This color isn’t just visually striking—it’s a design tool. Architects, builders, and homeowners can use Casablanca to create modern, timeless spaces or refresh classic designs. Its understated variegation allows it to complement a full range of architectural styles, from contemporary facades to traditional builds. 

A Brick That Tells a Story 

What sets Casablanca apart is its natural inspiration and depth. Part of Glen-Gery’s Sioux River Series, the color draws from the rocky formations and flowing waterways of the Midwest, creating a look that feels both grounded and elegant. Its organic, sun-bleached aesthetic gives buildings a sense of permanence while allowing creative freedom in design. 

Casablanca works beautifully with a wide variety of mortar joints and finishes, making it a go-to option for projects where versatility matters. Its modular and builders special sizes also ensure the perfect fit for any architectural layout. 

Bringing Enduring Design to Life 

Since 2023, Glen-Gery’s annual Brick Color of the Year selection has highlighted emerging design trends and modern color palettes that inspire architects and designers. Casablanca continues this tradition by offering a color that’s both timeless and adaptable, perfect for achieving a cohesive, sophisticated look. 

Whether you’re building a residential home, commercial development, or interior feature wall, Casablanca provides the foundation for lasting design, balancing natural beauty with architectural confidence. 

Design Inspiration and Applications 

• Residential Projects: Elevate exterior facades or interior accent walls with Casablanca’s warm, sun-bleached tones. View Residential Sioux River Series Projects.

• Commercial Spaces: Create inviting, modern spaces that feel grounded and refined. View Commercial Sioux River Series Projects.

With its organic color and textural richness, Casablanca allows architects and designers to experiment while maintaining a sense of timeless elegance. 

Explore the Sioux River Series 

Casablanca is part of the Sioux River Series, a collection inspired by the Midwest’s natural landscapes. Each brick in the series combines textural depth, earthy tones, and adaptability, offering a palette for innovative, high-impact designs. Available in modular (3-5/8” x 2-1/4” x 7-5/8”) and builders special (3” x 2-13/16” x 8-5/8”) sizes, this series gives designers flexibility without sacrificing style or durability. 

Learn more about Builders Special Size

Builder Special bricks give you more coverage per brick, fewer joints, and faster installation, making them ideal for large-scale projects or modern designs. Compared to modular size, Builder Specials can speed up construction, reduce labor costs, and create a cleaner, more continuous look on facades and walls. 

Start Designing with Casablanca Today 

Ready to integrate Casablanca, the 2026 Brick Color of the Year, into your next project? This versatile, earth-inspired hue is available now as part of Glen-Gery’s portfolio of over 400 brick products, perfect for both interior and exterior applications. 

Discover more about Casablanca and the Sioux River Series: 
Explore 2026 Brick Color of the Year