The catastrophic California wildfires sparked a conversation in our studio about fireproof architecture. With climate change showing its relentless impact and nature reminding us of its power, it’s clear our future buildings must rise to meet environmental challenges head-on.
The Case for Fire-Resistant Design
Look at any residential block after the latest California wildfires in Pacific Palisades and Malibu or any other wildfire in recent memory —and you’ll see the same gut-wrenching scene: homes reduced to piles of ash. However, there are a few exceptions. There is, inexplicably, one or two houses left fully intact as if shrouded in some protective shield, aka strange happenstance.
It takes me back to the 2003 San Diego wildfire, where I saw the aftermath up close. Among the charred ruins, the one thing that seemed to endure was a sea of masonry fireplace chimneys poking up from their foundations like survivors of some architectural apocalypse. Much like the black box on an airplane, it begs the question: if chimneys can withstand the inferno, why don’t we just build entire houses out of them? Well, more on that later.
Once the smoke clears and the community removes debris, the local jurisdictions work on updating regulations, building codes, and ordinances in a mostly reactionary way. And this all happens at the speed of government. Which is to say, glacial. California enforces many fire-resistant construction regulations, which apply only to structures built after the code’s 2008 enactment. Most housing in Los Angeles dates back 80 years.
Here in Chicago, we faced a cataclysmic fire that destroyed over 17,000 buildings, so we’ve learned a thing or two about creating a largely fire-resistant city. Here are some standard design features to make a building more fire-resistant when constructing a new home. On the upside, most of these features make a building more sustainable, tackling one of the root causes of disastrous fires in the first place.

Fireproof Building Envelope & Wall Construction
First off, no house or building is completely fireproof. However, Underwriters Laboratory has tested wall assemblies that meet specific hourly fire-resistance ratings. This means that if you build a wall according to their tested specifications, it can take 1, 2, or even 3 hours for a fire to burn through. For single-family homes in California, fire-rated walls aren’t always required, depending on the size and location of the property. However, voluntarily building the exterior walls and roof assembly to meet these ratings can help contain a fire at your property line. Heres how it works:
- 1-Hour Wall: Typically made of wood studs with Type X gypsum board on both sides.
- 2-Hour Wall: Adds an additional layer of drywall to each side.
- 3-Hour Wall: Usually constructed from non-wood materials like masonry, steel, or concrete.
Bricks may not be ideal for areas prone to earthquakes. Instead, a Concrete Masonry Unit (CMU) reinforced with steel rebar is a good alternative and offers fire resistance and better seismic performance. Don’t like the look of CMU but don’t want your house to burn down? CMU material is also a great substrate for applying non-combustible sidings, like cement, aluminum panels, or stucco.
All the methods above will further the goal of fireproof architecture with the elegant side effect of improving the energy efficiency of the exterior walls by increasing the R-value and improving sound attenuation.

Fire-Resistant Roofs
The approach to fire-resistant roofs is similar to other structural fireproofing strategies. The main structure can be built using steel paired with a corrugated deck and concrete for durability and protection. Many new houses with large window openings need a steel moment frame to resist lateral forces during an earthquake, so incorporating steel into the roof is a natural extension
Clay tile roofs offer exceptional fire resistance and a distinctive Spanish or Mediterranean aesthetic. However, they do come with some challenges. They’re pricy to install and maintain and add significant weight to a home. This added weight could compromise the entire house’s integrity without proper structural reinforcement. Metal roofing is another alternative for a lightweight, fireproof roofing material. Options include zinc, copper, steel, stainless steel, and other alloys, offering durable, non-corrosive solutions ideal for fire-resistant homes.

Beyond the Walls in Fireproof Architecture
Of course, walls and roofs are only part of the equation. Embers can infiltrate through vents, under roof overhangs, and even windows, potentially igniting the interior. The house will burn from within, diminishing the effectiveness of the exterior wall construction. There are several solutions to mitigate this risk:
- Tighten the Building Envelope: Sealing gaps prevent airflow between the inside and outside. A sustainable design practice of our current construction era is to make a tight building envelope so air cannot pass easily from outside to inside and vice versa.
- Use an Energy Recovery Ventilator: This ensures controlled air exchanges while maintaining indoor air quality.
- Damper Exterior Vents: Install dampers to seal vents during a fire event.
Subtle Sustainable Design Approach
A fireproof house doesn’t have to look like anything out of the ordinary or scream “fireproof fortress.” Take our net-zero house, for example. It combines concrete and steel structural elements with a non-combustible cement panel siding that blends into the design. This fireproof architecture design results in a fire-protected home without sacrificing design. In short, fire-resistant construction isn’t just about safety—it’s about creating a sustainable, energy-efficient home that holds up to whatever Mother Nature dishes out.


Fireproof Windows
In California’s mild climate, single-glazed windows are fairly common because they are less expensive than dual-glazed windows. However, when it comes to fire resistance, dual-glazed windows are the better option. The air gap between the two panes of glass provides extra insulation, slowing the spread of heat and flames. Tempered glass is another option and should be used as much as possible. This type of glass holds up to fire much longer than standard plate glass. Building codes already require tempered glass in specific situations—like windows within 18 inches of the floor or those in and around doors—so chances are, many of your windows may already meet these standards.
Don’t forget about skylights. While they bring in natural light, some are made of acrylic rather than glass, which is less fire-resistant. If fire safety is a priority, it’s best to avoid skylights entirely. After all, the fewer holes in the roof, the better.
Fire Suppression & Sprinkler Systems
Single-family homes typically don’t require fire sprinklers. However, many smaller jurisdictions nationwide now mandate them. Builders primarily install sprinklers in higher-risk spaces, like assembly areas, restaurants, and movie theaters, to help occupants evacuate safely. These systems don’t necessarily extinguish fires, especially the less robust residential versions. But, adding fire sprinklers generally increases construction costs by only 1–2%, making them a worthwhile investment.
Fireproof Architecture Finish Materials
Many California buildings still have wood roof shingles and wood siding. Untreated wood is almost guaranteed to burn during a fire event by the simple whims of embers floating through the air. Non-combustible building materials are a defined class of materials that inherently have fire-resistant properties. These include metal roofs, steel structures, glass, cement board siding, Corten steel, and gypsum board. Even the ubiquitous stucco finish is a cement-based, non-combustible material.
Fireproof Landscape and Hardscape
Simply put, installing landscape right up to your front door is unwise, especially if no irrigation system is installed. I recall the days of the late 90s in San Diego when it was recommended to install ice plants (Aizoaceae) on steep slopes since they are an excellent fire break – even FEMA was on board. Unfortunately, ice plants are invasive and will eventually crowd out native plants. There are alternative solutions to this dilemma.
One solution is to install xeriscape plantings, which are far less flammable. Xeriscaping is a landscaping approach that thrives in dry conditions using carefully chosen, drought-tolerant plants built to handle extended dry spells. Southern California is an irrigated desert, after all. Another solution is to allow the hardscape to do all the work. Connecting indoors to outdoors typically involves a terrace or patio made of stone, tile, or other non-combustible materials. The landscape elements can live beyond that point, allowing for a built-in firebreak around your house.


Similar to our rural Michigan Pavilion Spa Retreat house, we created a fire buffer with the pool and terrace that efficiently connects all the spaces and structures while acting as a fire break. There is also a water reservoir in the pool and a hot tub if needed in an emergency.
Fireproof Architecture Roof Design and Materials
We covered roofing materials, but the geometry and layout of the roof and overhangs are just as important. Roof overhangs are a great strategy for shading buildings from the sun to help keep the building cool. However, they are a prime fire starter candidate if designed incorrectly or with vents leading to the attic. The best solution is to design overhangs integral to the structure’s massing. Much like our Worker’s Cottage project, the roof overhang is integral to the structure, so there is no place for fire to get inside an unprotected cavity.
A similar design concept can be seen below in our fully non-combustible masonry and Corten steel house in Chicago. A fully integrated overhang in the structural house frame protects the windows.


Fire will always be a part of life. But over 100 years ago, the Great Chicago Fire taught us a crucial lesson: how to prevent its devastating spread. We can apply that knowledge to preserve building structures and stop the fire from spreading in California and other wildfire-prone areas.