Quiet comfort, conscious craft
At Marisol Studios, we design custom homes that breathe with you. Thoughtfully rooted in Passive House principles, our spaces prioritize your well-being, from the air you inhale to the light that surrounds you. Every detail is carefully considered — not only for beauty, but for how it supports the rhythms of your life, your family, and your future. This is architecture as sanctuary — high-performance homes crafted with quiet intention.
Projects
GOLDEN HILLSIDE RENOVATION AND ADDITION
Location
Golden, Colorado
Completion Year
2027
The existing house on the property.
Role
Managing Principal
Firm
Marisol Studios
Golden Hillside Renovation and Addition
Originally built in 1963, this modest 1,200-square-foot home in Golden, Colorado no longer supported the needs of its growing family. Rather than starting over, the homeowners chose to reimagine the existing house through a comprehensive renovation and significant addition that nearly doubled the home's size while dramatically improving its functionality, comfort, and resilience.
The design transforms a series of disconnected and compartmentalized rooms into an open, light-filled living environment centered around gathering and entertaining. The expanded floor plan adds new bedrooms, bathrooms, and a garage, creating a home that better supports both daily life and hosting family and friends.
Performance was a driving force behind every design decision. The home is fully electric, eliminating fossil fuel appliances while positioning the owners for a lower-carbon future. A dedicated electric-ready mechanical room allows for a seamless transition to heat pump technology when the existing furnace reaches the end of its service life. New rooftop solar panels further enhance the home's resilience and energy independence, an important consideration in an area where utility power is routinely shut off during periods of high wind.
To deliver exceptional comfort in Colorado's challenging climate, the exterior walls and roof were designed with Passive House-level insulation and air-sealing strategies. These high-performance assemblies reduce drafts, stabilize indoor temperatures, improve indoor air quality, and create a quieter, healthier living environment. The result is a home that seamlessly integrates beauty, performance, and long-term durability while providing the homeowners with a comfortable place to live for decades to come.
1938 Home Renovation & Expansion
Location
Denver, Colorado
Completion Year
2025
Role
Managing Principal
Firm
Marisol Studios
The following projects from Marisol’s portfolio of work were completed while employed by other firms. Marisol Gallagher’s role and the architect of record are identified for each project.
1938 Home Renovation & Expansion
This 1938 home, once left in disrepair, was thoughtfully renovated and expanded to transform previously uninhabitable areas into functional living spaces—effectively doubling the livable floor area.
A structurally unsound enclosed patio was removed and replaced with a 350 SF addition, creating a new bedroom and dining room. The existing kitchen was completely reimagined, opening into the new dining space with open views of the backyard.
The basement, originally designed for storage, was fully converted into livable space, adding a bedroom, laundry room, and additional storage. Outdated cloth-wrapped wiring was replaced to meet modern electrical codes, and all plumbing was upgraded to eliminate lead risks entirely.
Preserving the home’s historic charm, original interior doors and hardware were carefully refinished—stripping away years of paint and stain to reveal their timeless beauty.
Aspen Duplex Renovation
Aspen Duplex Renovation
At just under 6,000 SF, this Aspen duplex was thoughtfully reimagined with the addition of six dormers to its steep A-frame roof. This transformation unlocked valuable upper-floor space, allowing for a new primary bedroom, bath, and office while maintaining the home's duplex structure.
Through strategic space planning, the residence now functions seamlessly as both a duplex and a unified family home. While the primary structure remained intact, nearly every other element was upgraded—including finishes, windows, mechanical, plumbing, lighting, kitchen, and exterior cladding. Additionally, the garage was rebuilt with a mother-in-law suite above, enhancing both functionality and livability. This project was completed by Rowland+Broughton Architecture Urban Design, LLC with Marisol serving as Project Architect. Images by Marisol Gallagher.
Role
Project Architect
Architect of Record*
Rowland+Broughton Architecture Urban Design, LLC
*prior to Marisol Studios
Location
Aspen, Colorado
Completion Year
2024
High Performing Aspen Residence
Role
Sustainability Manager
Architect of Record*
Rowland+Broughton Architecture Urban Design, LLC
*prior to Marisol Studios
Location
Aspen, Colorado
Completion Year
In Progress
High Performing Aspen Residence
The clients envisioned a sustainable home but looked to us to define what that truly meant. Taking a holistic approach, we prioritized well-being, indoor air quality, operational carbon, and embodied carbon from the outset.
The design integrates mass timber construction with highly insulated walls and roofs, along with high-performance, triple-pane aluminum-clad wood windows—ensuring unparalleled thermal comfort. Interior materials were carefully selected for their zero-VOC content, protecting indoor air quality.
Daylighting studies played a key role in minimizing heat loss and glare through skylights while maximizing natural light to reduce reliance on artificial lighting. An embodied carbon life cycle analysis of the structure and enclosure informed strategic design adjustments, lowering emissions without compromising aesthetics or performance.
To further enhance energy efficiency, we conducted iterative energy modeling of the home’s ground-source heat pump and electric mechanical systems. Paired with an innovative rooftop solar shingle system, these measures significantly reduce the home’s reliance on grid electricity.
This project and its sustainability strategies were featured in R+B’s 2023 Venice Biennale exhibition, “Redefining Beauty,” which explored water rights issues in Colorado. This project was designed by Rowland+Broughton Architecture Urban Design, LLC with Marisol serving as Sustainability Manager. Images by Marisol Gallagher.
Resnick Center for Herbert Bayer Studies -
The Aspen Institute
Resnick Center for Herbert Bayer Studies - The Aspen Institute
Before founding Marisol Studios, Marisol Gallagher contributed to the design and execution of the Resnick Center for Herbert Bayer Studies, a cultural landmark on the historic Aspen Institute campus. The museum is dedicated to the legacy of Herbert Bayer—artist, architect, and influential Bauhaus figure whose work shaped Aspen’s cultural identity.
Designing for a museum of this stature required exacting attention to detail. Every line was meticulously aligned, sightlines were carefully orchestrated, and materials were selected for their integrity and longevity. The architecture needed to reflect the precision, clarity, and discipline of Bayer’s own work, creating a setting worthy of the art it holds.
Set within Aspen’s cultural hub, the Resnick Center not only preserves the work of a visionary, but also serves as a space for education, dialogue, and inspiration. This project exemplifies the marriage of craftsmanship and purpose—an approach that continues to define Marisol’s work today.
This project was completed by Rowland+Broughton Architecture Urban Design, LLC with Marisol serving as Project Architect. Images by Marisol Gallagher.
Location
Aspen, Colorado
Completion Year
2022
Role
Project Architect
Architect of Record*
Rowland+Broughton Architecture Urban Design, LLC
*prior to Marisol Studios
Boutique Hotel in Jackson Hole, WY
Boutique Hotel - Jackson Hole
After the original structure was lost to fire, this 50,000+ SF boutique hotel was completely redesigned and rebuilt to create an elevated guest experience. The new design offers a seamless blend of luxury and relaxation, featuring a spa, restaurant, lounge, outdoor hot tub and courtyard, and a stunning rooftop bar with panoramic views of the iconic Jackson Hole ski area.
This project was completed by Rowland+Broughton Architecture Urban Design, LLC with Marisol serving as Project Architect.
Role
Project Architect
Architect of Record*
Rowland+Broughton Architecture Urban Design, LLC
*prior to Marisol Studios
Location
Jackson Hole, WY
Completion Year
2024
California Recreation Center
California Recreation Center
Designed as the centerpiece of a dynamic activity campus, this recreation center brings energy and vibrancy to the community. Its exterior features a bold combination of colorful, insulated polycarbonate panels and a striking metal mesh rainscreen, creating a visually dynamic and high-performance façade. Inside, playful color accents are integrated into traditional elements like railings and windows, reinforcing an atmosphere of movement, fun, and sports.
Location
Irvine, California
Completion Year
In Progress
Role
Project Architect
Architect of Record*
Perkins&Will
*prior to Marisol Studios
3rd + Lenora
3rd + Lenora
This multi-use highrise in the heart of Seattle contains 32 stories of office, living, and amenity spaces. This project went through Seattle’s rigorous design review process as it has forever changed the city’s skyline.
Location
Seattle, WA
Completion Year
2020
Role
Project Architect
Architect of Record*
Perkins&Will
*prior to Marisol Studios
18th Ave Science + Tech
18th Ave Science + Tech
This dynamic science and tech building was designed to extend the Swedish Hospital campus and act as the intermediary between the adjacent residential neighborhood and the tall towers of the hospital.
Location
Seattle, WA
Completion Year
On Hold
Role
Project Architect
Architect of Record*
Perkins&Will
*prior to Marisol Studios
Passive House Design
Passive House Design
Passive House design makes a building work for you. Strategically implementing the points below contributes to your comfort and lowers the energy necessary to heat and cool your home. Utilizing natural building materials and products, we can ensure the air you breathe inside your home isn’t filled with the toxins found in some traditional building materials.
Air-tight construction
Continuous insulation
High-performing doors and windows
Thermal bridge free design
Fresh air that exchanges heat before it leaves the house
Marisol is a Certified Passive House Designer (CPHD), meaning she has undergone rigorous training to understand the building science concepts behind why Passive House works and how to apply it to projects.
Sarah Broughton, Founding Principal of Rowland+Broughton
“She [Marisol] has played an active role in educating our team and fostering a culture of environmental responsibility within the firm. Her efforts have contributed to meaningful improvements in our sustainability practices through thoughtful goal setting and implementation. Marisol’s commitment to her work, collaborative approach, and passion for sustainability make her a valuable asset to any team.”
Jami McMannes, Community Office for Resource Efficiency (CORE)