Marketplace Tech Building a home with future fires in mind
Jan 12, 2026
David Brancaccio, a journalist and host of the Marketplace Morning Report, shares his journey of rebuilding after losing his home in the Eaton Fire. He discusses innovative fire-resistant building materials like cross-laminated timber (CLT) and insulated concrete forms, highlighting their benefits. Brancaccio also dives into the potential of 3D-printed houses for rapid construction and affordability. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining neighborhood aesthetics while planning for resilience, paving the way for homes built with a future of fire in mind.
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CLT Panels Speed Construction And Improve Fire Resistance
- Cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels are factory-made, shipped flat, and can enclose a house in days.
- CLT paired with mineral wool and stucco creates walls much harder for wildfires to penetrate.
Leverage Off-Site Manufacturing To Save Time
- Use off-site manufacturing to cut on-site schedules and labor costs.
- Aim to frame multiple houses with the same crew to realize 15–20% schedule savings, according to Nate Foster's experience.
Neighbor Builds Concrete 'Bunker' Home
- Neighbor Heidi Lewist used insulated snap‑together panels and pours concrete between them to create a nearly bunker‑like home.
- She named it Edith Bunker and is already about a third built, prioritizing extreme fire resistance.