Green Project of the Week: Versa Villa
Versa Villa in California, built by Ultra-luxury architect and developer Ardie Tavangarian, is designed to withstand wildfires for up to six hours. Built with 30 tons of precision-structural steel boxes, the home’s 12-inch-thick, commercial-grade walls are constructed from multiple layers of fire-resistant materials, including magnesium oxide, sulfate boards and gypsum panels.
After the January 2025 Pacific Palisades fire destroyed his family’s home, Tavangarian’s Arya Group shifted its building philosophy toward fire-resistant development and design. Using a rapid, modular-style steel assembly, Tavangarian completed Versa Villa in under six months on a burn lot he has owned since 2003, located directly below where the family’s longtime vineyard estate was lost.
“We can’t go on building wood-framed homes and expect the system to defend us,” said Tavangarian. “I have four daughters, and all of them were impacted by this, so the concept was really to create peace of mind, starting with my family and then the community. If the same circumstance happens next week or five years from now, and the wind blows in the other direction, that’s really what we should be thinking about.”
The project’s defensible envelope includes steel-framed, heat-resistant borosilicate windows and doors, as well as automated aluminum shutters. The shutters trigger within seconds of a threat via heat sensors or a smartphone app to seal the home against flying embers. The fortified front door also serve a dual purpose, acting as a barrier against fire and an escape route.
Photo Credit: Anthony Barcelo
