After a traumatic incident where Ana Gallego was shot by her son, she faced years of recovery before her home was destroyed by the Eaton fire. Now 74, Gallego wants to rebuild sustainably, favoring fire-resistant materials. Although she initially considered earthen blocks inspired by her travels, regulatory obstacles forced a shift to traditional wood construction. The fire's aftermath has sparked interest among many Los Angeles residents in using natural, eco-friendly building materials that promise durability against future wildfires and lower carbon footprints.
If it's going to be rebuilt, I would like it to be rebuilt in a way that matches nature and has good energy.
The idea of rebuilding with earthen blocks resonated, reminding her of monasteries she'd once visited on a trip to France.
In the wake of the Eaton fire - which decimated at least 6,000 single-family homes... interest in building with natural materials has spiked.
Proponents of building with natural materials say they're fire-resistant, carbon-friendly and nontoxic when scorched.
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