Since the devastating 2003 Cedar Creek Fire, we’ve been assisting homeowners in rebuilding their lives after wildfires. We believe in building back stronger with fire-resistant construction methods. Our approach incorporates innovative materials like Insulated Composite Concrete Forms (ICCF), strawbale, foam sandwich panels, and natural plasters to create resilient and beautiful homes.
The Rancho Alegria project serves as an example of our expertise in fire-resistant construction. This unique ranch compound, east of San Diego, was severely impacted by the Cedar Fire. Remarkably, the adobe walls of the historic structures survived the fire, demonstrating the inherent fire-resistance of this ancient building material. We guided the entire rebuild process, carefully stabilizing and restoring these adobe walls while integrating sustainable energy solutions with the installation of a photovoltaic system and backup generator. See the accompanying photos for a before-and-after view of the adobe bricks and the living space after the rebuild.
While adobe brick offers excellent fire resistance, its use in construction, like traditional brick, can present challenges in meeting modern seismic codes. Southern California’s earthquake risk necessitates careful engineering to ensure structural integrity. We, however, have collaborated with specialized engineers in the past to design and permit structures that utilize adobe brick safely and effectively.
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