Moroccan Style in the Mountains

Built into a rugged outcropping in Larkspur, Colorado, this earthy modern home showcases the owners’ roots.

Beauty truly is in the details of this earthy modern home, dubbed Tazi Ranch, in Larkspur, Colorado—and its stunning aesthetic starts from the ground up. The home is rooted just below one of the property’s dramatic rock outcroppings and looks out onto 128 sweeping acres of ranch dreamland. In addition to the stunning site, the design team incorporated inspiration from the homeowners’ Moroccan and native Coloradan heritages through traditional Moroccan details and framed Rocky Mountain views.

A combination of drystack stone, stucco, patina steel panels, and steel windows creates a simple yet stunning exterior material palette.

The steel-framed windows lightly touch a series of floating roofs that extend out towards the landscape and views beyond. The overall composition creates a light, airy home that still feels grounded.

Glass elements surround a central courtyard, which serves as the connecting element of the home and creates an outdoor space protected from the area’s high winds. The courtyard ties each space together with a covered colonnade, water feature, fire pit, greenhouse, and in-ground spa. Custom steel panels feature a traditional Moroccan pattern and pay homage to the husband’s heritage.

The landscape elements tie seamlessly into the design and create a multi-sensory experience. A greenhouse encloses the courtyard and provides a spot for on-site food production.

Custom detailed trellis elements provide shade from the harsh sun and add scale to the courtyard.

The custom back-lit Moroccan panels create a beautiful backdrop for the entry hall.

Authentic materials like plaster walls, reclaimed flooring, and exposed structural steel give the home a warm and inviting feel amidst its streamlined and modern design. A series of stone walls and columns create a rhythm and structural cadence throughout the home that defines each space.

Sustainable elements were also incorporated into the home, including geothermal heat, on-site water retention for fire mitigation, warm-board flooring, full-house automation for climate control, integrated shades, and large overhangs for sun shading.

An asymmetrical fireplace anchors the living room and features drystack stone, a floating concrete hearth, and raw steel panels. The floor-to-ceiling glass highlights the incredible views beyond.

The kitchen is the heart of the home and floats between the dining and living spaces. With natural light on all four sides, it feels airy and bright—and features a stunning view from virtually every angle. Unique details include blackened steel countertops and reclaimed semi-floor bar and eating tops.

The pop of metallic blue pairs nicely with smoked larch cabinets, custom patinaed metal hood and toe kicks, and a marble island.

A custom booth and table tuck next to steel windows that open into the courtyard.

In the dining room, a custom live-edge table sits below an inset ceiling niche, which features a Moroccan tile inlay. Custom wine cabinets flank the backside, while floor-to-ceiling glass walls allow the outside to flow in.

A custom stair cantilevers each tread off the wall and features a steel T detail under each tread. A custom two-story light fixture centers the space.

The master bathroom showcases silver travertine floors, large neolith slabs, and a floating concrete bench.

The master bedroom is cozy and simple, highlighting the custom laser-cut steel panels and floating concrete hearth.

Each additional bathroom has a flair of its own, adding a pop of color and whimsy to the spaces.

The sitting room boasts patina steel panels, floor-to-ceiling glass, and a full stone wall that grounds the room—echoing the home’s organic, modern design as well as its devotion to the owners’ roots and the landscape beyond.

Sarah Tiedeken is a Project Architect with Vertical Arts Architecture, a Colorado-based architecture firm specializing in creating some of the nation’s most unique residential and commercial spaces. View their profile or contact Sarah at 970.871.0056.

Content for this article provided by Vertical Arts Architecture.