Stucco got a bad rap during the post-World War II building boom. In the West and Southwest, where brick and stone were ... earthy tones of red, yellow and brown increasing in popularity.

but Toronto’s KPMB Architects raised the bar with an 83,500-square-foot expansion of the Brearley School, which joins the scene with Roman-style red brick and playfully arranged, chamfered windows.

Laguna Beach: This building at 669 South Coast Highway dates from 1967. It underwent design changes as Taco Bell, but retained its sloping red roof and stucco brick walls. It made its own history ...