The homeowners for this North Boulder residence originally desired a two-story home built of adobe. Code regulations prohibited the use of sun-dried bricks in structures over one story, so the design team researched other alternative building materials.

The search culminated in the selection of Cempo block, a recycled styrofoam block, with cores filled with concrete. This material, covered in stucco, is contrasted with glulaminated arches. The arches create clerestory spaces at the entry and family room.