Redesigning Tradition Mariposa Garden House by Renée del Gaudio

Renée del Gaudio’s Mariposa Garden House breathes new life into a 1940s ranch home, transforming it into a sanctuary of gardens and natural light. The project utilizes the existing concrete foundation as a springboard for innovation, embracing it not as a limitation but as an opportunity to reimagine the space.

Maximizing Sustainability

By building upon the original foundation, the project minimizes waste and resource consumption while achieving remarkable energy efficiency. Energy-efficient walls rise from the foundation, maintaining the footprint of the original structure. An exposed concrete floor with radiant tubing ensures efficient heating, while carefully positioned windows optimize natural ventilation and lighting. An 8kW photo-voltaic array renders the home net-zero electric.

Seamless Integration of Interior and Exterior

The design centers around an open floor plan, with cooking, dining, and living spaces occupying the heart of the home. Clerestory windows and a 16-foot sliding door blur the boundaries between indoors and outdoors, inviting the garden into the living space. Intimate areas are nestled along the periphery, each connected to the surrounding landscape through strategically placed gardens.

Harmonizing with Nature

The exterior design, characterized by heavy masonry and black-stained cedar siding, anchors the structure to the landscape. The upper bedroom and roof deck, resembling a bird’s nest, offer a serene retreat amidst the trees. At the core of the design stands a two-story masonry chimney, serving as a focal point and multifunctional element.

Versatility and Coziness

The chimney not only provides warmth and ambiance to the living area but also houses an outdoor cooking grill, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor living. Ascending to the master bedroom roof deck, occupants can enjoy the outdoor fireplace, completing the harmonious blend of functionality and comfort.

Renée del Gaudio’s Mariposa Garden House epitomizes sustainable design and seamless integration with nature, offering a modern reinterpretation of traditional ranch living.