Pacific Palisades: why this villa in Malibu resisted the fire

Pacific Palisades, an upscale neighborhood in ashes

Since January 7, the Californian metropolis has been in the grip of a “monster of wind and flames”. The cars are fleeing in a hurry, the evacuation perimeters continue to widen and the smell of sulfur invades the streets under a sky stained with red… A disaster scene worthy of a science fiction film where an atmosphere of end of the world. But on the Malibu coast, a house remains surprisingly intact in a desolate landscape. Decryption.

Why did this villa resist the fire that ravaged Los Angeles?

Alone in the middle of the chaos, a 9 million dollar villa resists the flames of Los Angeles. Belonging to millionaire David Steiner, the Californian villa was reportedly spared from the devastating flames thanks to its resistant design. While the flames have claimed more than 12,000 buildings, this three-story pied-à-terre remains almost pristine among the charred ruins. Originally built by the sea to resist earthquakes, the stucco and stone house with a fireproof roof was built on pillars about 15 meters into the rock to “that it does not move in the event of powerful waves”explains the owner. Built to withstand seismic tremors, the villa was spared by the flames which licked neighboring homes… A real « miracle » he confides.

A property saved thanks to its architecture

Inspired by ocean liners, the architecture of the property imitates those of cruise ships. The property was designed in 1998 and then recently rebuilt using solid concrete and tempered glass windows… “We just rebuilt the house, but we lived with these neighbors all this time, for almost 30 years, and to see this devastation on the neighborhood is terrible” confides the owner with emotion. Architect Greg Chasen explains having made “design choices made during construction” who helped the house hold together.