California Architects Design Homes to Withstand Wildfires
In response to the devastating Palisades and Eaton fires in Los Angeles in January 2025, which resulted in the destruction of over 16,000 structures, architects are now prioritizing wildfire resilience in their designs. Examples include Chansen Architecture's 2024 residence in Pacific Palisades and a concrete home in Malibu. To combat the fact that embers are responsible for up to 90% of home ignitions, features such as metal roofs and ember-resistant vents are being implemented. The Wildland-Urban Interface Code in California became effective in early 2026. Innovative designs can be seen in Mork-Ulnes Architects' Frame House in Sonoma and Deegan-Day Design & Architecture's 4/Way House in Topanga. Additionally, in August 2026, California's Board of Forestry approved regulations for ember-resistant Zone 0 areas.
Key facts
- Palisades and Eaton fires in January 2025 destroyed over 16,000 structures in Los Angeles.
- Chansen Architecture built a home in 2024 that survived in Pacific Palisades.
- Embers cause up to 90% of home ignitions during wildfires (Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety).
- California's Wildland-Urban Interface Code went into effect at the beginning of 2026.
- Mork-Ulnes Architects' Frame House in Sonoma uses concrete with a sacrificial layer of Western red cedar.
- Deegan-Day Design & Architecture's 4/Way House in Topanga has a zinc roof described as a 'fire blanket'.
- Faulkner Architects' CAMPout near Lake Tahoe limits glazing near the forest and uses double concrete walls.
- Pine Flat Residence in Healdsburg incorporates 90% of existing concrete from a house destroyed by the 2019 Kincade Fire.
- California's Board of Forestry and Fire Protection approved Zone 0 regulations in August 2026, creating a five-foot ember-resistant perimeter.
- The regulations were filed with the Office of Administrative Law on August 28 and remain under review as of September 8.
Entities
Artists
- Casper Mork-Ulnes
- Joe Day
- Nina Hachigian
Institutions
- Chansen Architecture
- Mork-Ulnes Architects
- Deegan-Day Design & Architecture
- Faulkner Architects
- Edmonds + Lee Architects
- Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety
- NIST
- CAL FIRE
- California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection
- Office of Administrative Law
Locations
- Los Angeles
- Pacific Palisades
- Malibu
- California
- Sonoma
- Topanga
- Santa Monica Mountains
- Lake Tahoe
- Healdsburg
- Mayacamas Mountains
- Napa Valley
- San Francisco