VIA CIELITO - THOMAS FIRE REBUILD

The Thomas Fire was a massive wildfire that affected Ventura and Santa Barbara counties in December 2017. It burned approximately 281,893 acres, making it the largest wildfire in modern California history at the time.

Rebuilt after the devastation of the Thomas Fire, this Via Cielito home reimagines resilience and togetherness for a family after unimaginable loss. The U-shape design is anchored by an expansive courtyard at its center, where an outdoor kitchen and bar create a natural gathering place. From here, circulation radiates outward, linking the primary residence with a standalone garage and ADU. The kitchen and living room extend seamlessly onto a patio, blurring the boundary between interior and exterior. Bedrooms are distributed across two wings: one contains three bedrooms, including a full en-suite, and the opposite wing has the primary suite, complete with a study and laundry room.

Light is the defining element: a skylight and floor-to-ceiling glass, filling the dining and great room with daylight. Floor-to-ceiling glass is used throughout the home to capture sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, bringing light and landscape deep into the home. The result is a home that rises from loss as a renewed expression of connection, resilience, and architectural clarity.

Aerial view of a construction site showing an in-progress building foundation with wooden framing, concrete slabs, and construction materials.

An aerial view of the foundation work in progress in 2022.

Photo courtesy of Allen Construction.

Project Details

Project Team:

Principal Architect: David Hertz, FAIA / David Hertz Architects, Inc.
Project Architect: Ed Millán, AIA / Millán Architect / Studio
Project Manager: Austin Pollard
Renderings: Ed Millán, AIA / Millán Architect / Studio

Location: Ventura, CA

Typology: Single Family Residence with attached 3-car garage, ADU, pool, and spa

Size: 4,500 sq ft

Contractor: Allen Construction

Structural Engineer: Kurt Fischer Structural Engineering

Year of completion: 2023

Renderings: Photorealistic renderings developed by Millán Architect / Studio. Original project initiated at David Hertz Architect, inc. with Ed Millán, AIA serving as Project Architect for DHA and for MA/S. Images represent an alternative development and may not be indicative of the final constructed project.