In 2007, the Witch Creek fire destroyed 1,000 homes in northern San Diego’s San Pasqual Valley. When it came time for Amy McQuillan and Pete Beauregard to rebuild their house, they decided to do it with a purpose.

Today, their new 3,129-square-foot, 4-bedroom, 5-bath residence serves as a prime example of what?s possible when it comes to building fire-resilient structures. The couple achieved this with the help of architect Andrew Wilt, who designed the luxurious home, and Alliance Green Builders, who constructed it.
According to the home’s official website, ?the homeowners, architect, and builders made fire-resistance a top priority incorporated into the architecture and material selection.? Fire-resistant construction materials, including stucco and concrete walls, metal roofing, high-impact windows, and stone and tile ground cover serve to make “Casa Águila” even more resilient.
The single-story ranch-style property, completed in 2016, is named after the golden eagles that soar through the surrounding hills, marking the first house in the entire county to be certified by the Passive House Institute US. Passive home design is a building standard that takes factors like energy efficiency, comfort, affordability, and ecological concerns into consideration ? all of which are especially important in Southern California, where drought is ongoing and wildfires cause power outages that can last for days.
Fire-Resistant Architecture
The home?s shell is...