Casa M

First we constructed a really good story, a tale to inspire a home … Once upon a time, a decorative painter and a fire behavior analyst decided to make their dream of a custom home a reality. From the decorative painter a passion for the thick-walled architecture of modern Mexico and for the careful treatment of beautiful surfaces the form of the building was inspired. From the fire behavior analyst came the introduction of a highly fire-resistant material new to Barrett Studio. Aerated autoclaved concrete (AAC) is a thick-wall system with integrated insulation, excellent fire resistance, acoustic barrier properties, thermal efficiency, rot, mold and pest protection - and low embodied energy! Add an architect with a history of and passion for designing thick wall systems, a structural engineer who participated in AAC approval process for U.S. codes, and a builder whose knowledge of Mexican architecture inspired us all, and you’ve created a fully engaged team.

On a half-acre site in North Boulder with ideal solar access for passive solar design Casa M represents a synergy between solar orientation, material technology, and architectural study. The result is a high-performance, thick wall, modern home, where the decorative painter and fire analyst will hopefully live happily ever after!