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Views of a Rebuilt California Home
The adage, “never let a good crisis go to waste” struck a chord with homeowners John and Jennifer Gonzalez. As a result, among the breathtaking views of Malibu, California, a testament to resilience and visionary design now stands tall—the Gonzalez residence, a home born from the ashes of calamity and rebuilt with an unwavering commitment to fire resistance and aesthetics.
The story of the Gonzalez residence is a deeply personal journey that began with the devastating loss of their log home to the 2018 Woolsey Fire. John and Jennifer Gonzalez, the owners, and builders, believed their 10-inch diameter log construction was fire-resistant. However, the fire reduced their home to ashes, leaving only memories and a determination to rebuild with newfound knowledge.
“When we returned to the building site, there was not one piece of the wood from our log home left – only iron debris and our concrete roof shingles intermixed with the flagstone we had for the kitchen and hallway flooring,” John Gonzalez recalls. “We dedicated ourselves to rebuilding as fire-resistant as possible, so we never have to endure this again.”
Their commitment led them to employ concrete subfloors, heavy and light gauge steel construction, and an array of non-flammable exterior materials, setting the foundation for a home that could withstand not only fires but also the fierce Santa Ana winds of Southern California.
“When we returned to the building site, there was not one piece of the wood from our log home left – only iron debris and our concrete roof shingles intermixed with the flagstone we had for the kitchen and hallway flooring,” John Gonzalez recalls. “We dedicated ourselves to rebuilding as fire-resistant as possible, so we never have to endure this again.”
Their commitment led them to employ concrete subfloors, heavy and light gauge steel construction, and an array of non-flammable exterior materials, setting the foundation for a home that could withstand not only fires but also the fierce Santa Ana winds of Southern California.
The Gonzalez's vision materialized with the help of their architect, Bruce Bolander, and key collaborators, Western States Roofing and Scott Winter Construction. The exterior of the home seamlessly combines fire-resistant materials—Corten steel, natural stone, cement fiberboard, steel, and glass—creating a stunning facade that blends harmoniously with its natural surroundings.
“We wanted an industrial, but comfortable, home that would take advantage of our views, but also be as fire-resistant as possible,” Jennifer Gonzalez explains. “We eliminated a den, added some closet and storage space, and made the downstairs bedrooms a bit bigger. We worked tirelessly with the architect; we went to home shows; we watched home remodeling shows––all to tap into our own sense of what we wanted to achieve—a house that cannot only withstand fires and aggressive winds, but also take advantage of the tremendous views of our location.”
The quality of the wide plank product transcended the traditional uses, as the homeowners opted to use NWP flooring for the kitchen cabinets, “we spent months looking for cabinet material and only when we were making final selections with David Ebers (Northern Wide Plank West Coast Sales Manager), he suggested we use NWP flooring material, similar to the cabinets in the NWP showroom in Los Angeles,” Jennifer adds.
“We wanted an industrial, but comfortable, home that would take advantage of our views, but also be as fire-resistant as possible,” Jennifer Gonzalez explains. “We eliminated a den, added some closet and storage space, and made the downstairs bedrooms a bit bigger. We worked tirelessly with the architect; we went to home shows; we watched home remodeling shows––all to tap into our own sense of what we wanted to achieve—a house that cannot only withstand fires and aggressive winds, but also take advantage of the tremendous views of our location.”
The quality of the wide plank product transcended the traditional uses, as the homeowners opted to use NWP flooring for the kitchen cabinets, “we spent months looking for cabinet material and only when we were making final selections with David Ebers (Northern Wide Plank West Coast Sales Manager), he suggested we use NWP flooring material, similar to the cabinets in the NWP showroom in Los Angeles,” Jennifer adds.
New Haven European oak 7 ⅛” (180mm) wide plank flooring further contributed to the project’s success. Chosen for its classic charm and light tones, this flooring option immerses the space in a fresh and calming ambience. Its engineered wide plank design beautifully showcases the natural appeal of oak, adding a touch of Arcadian elegance to the interior. “We went to a fire rebuild trade show in Malibu, and one of our friends spoke so highly of NWP. We visited the booth, saw the material and were very impressed. We wanted a refined floor, but with character, and NWP European white oak was just perfect,” says John Gonzalez. “We knew it was a quality product.”
While reflecting on the product choices made in the home, John expands further on his choice for engineered hardwood from NWP, “The product Northern Wide Plank manufactures is really exceptional; I would confidently say it’s better than solid wood. In our first house, we had solid hickory wood in the great area. Solid hickory or any solid species is really beautiful, but the problem is, when it’s dry, moist, or when it’s exposed to the sun, there’s a lot of contraction and expansion––so it can split or crack. The beautiful thing about engineered products from Northern Wide Plank, is that the strong and multiple layers of wood are bonded onto a ¼” (6mm) veneer of real wood, so it’s incredibly stable. I can’t say it doesn’t change, but it does change a lot less than solid wood. The product is phenomenal.”
Northern Wide Plank’s role in this project was crucial, providing not only flooring but also wall paneling that complemented the rugged-meets-industrial theme. The choice of NWP products, particularly the Outpost and Tempest reclaimed oak wall paneling from the Panoramic collection, added comfort and refinement to the interior spaces. On the lower level, a stunning mural reflects the warmth brought in by the paneling, balancing the industrial style of the space with a cozy, homey feel.
While reflecting on the product choices made in the home, John expands further on his choice for engineered hardwood from NWP, “The product Northern Wide Plank manufactures is really exceptional; I would confidently say it’s better than solid wood. In our first house, we had solid hickory wood in the great area. Solid hickory or any solid species is really beautiful, but the problem is, when it’s dry, moist, or when it’s exposed to the sun, there’s a lot of contraction and expansion––so it can split or crack. The beautiful thing about engineered products from Northern Wide Plank, is that the strong and multiple layers of wood are bonded onto a ¼” (6mm) veneer of real wood, so it’s incredibly stable. I can’t say it doesn’t change, but it does change a lot less than solid wood. The product is phenomenal.”
Northern Wide Plank’s role in this project was crucial, providing not only flooring but also wall paneling that complemented the rugged-meets-industrial theme. The choice of NWP products, particularly the Outpost and Tempest reclaimed oak wall paneling from the Panoramic collection, added comfort and refinement to the interior spaces. On the lower level, a stunning mural reflects the warmth brought in by the paneling, balancing the industrial style of the space with a cozy, homey feel.
The physical manifestation of the Gonzalez residence is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Its grand room, marked by floor-to-ceiling windows and a metal feature wall housing a fireplace, invites the surrounding natural beauty indoors. The kitchen, adorned with state-of-the-art appliances, including a Wolf stove and oven, as well as the aforementioned NWP oak cabinetry, strikes a perfect balance between modernity and the warmth of natural materials. In the basement, interior rock walls pay homage to the home’s natural landscape and mountain views––a detail built in by the homeowners themselves.
The L-shaped staircase, featuring New Haven European oak stair treads, serves as both a functional and aesthetic centerpiece. The primary bedroom, with its panoramic views, seamlessly connects to the lower level through the reclaimed oak wall paneling, creating a cohesive design narrative.
“We had to rebuild the first three courses of cement block foundation, but because of this we used the same footprint as the log home. We made some changes based on what we liked and did not like in the original home––it’s an open concept with a loft primary bed and bath; we opened up the ceiling to really take advantage of the views,” John describes.
Perched atop the hills, the Gonzalez residence captures the spirit of Malibu—strong, resilient, and breathtakingly beautiful. Northern Wide Plank’s flooring and wall paneling play a pivotal role in embodying this spirit, infusing the home with a refined charm. As the Gonzalez family settles into their space, they do so with a sense of accomplishment, recognizing that this home stands not just as a structure, but as a manifestation of the artistry that turns devastation into triumph.
The L-shaped staircase, featuring New Haven European oak stair treads, serves as both a functional and aesthetic centerpiece. The primary bedroom, with its panoramic views, seamlessly connects to the lower level through the reclaimed oak wall paneling, creating a cohesive design narrative.
“We had to rebuild the first three courses of cement block foundation, but because of this we used the same footprint as the log home. We made some changes based on what we liked and did not like in the original home––it’s an open concept with a loft primary bed and bath; we opened up the ceiling to really take advantage of the views,” John describes.
Perched atop the hills, the Gonzalez residence captures the spirit of Malibu—strong, resilient, and breathtakingly beautiful. Northern Wide Plank’s flooring and wall paneling play a pivotal role in embodying this spirit, infusing the home with a refined charm. As the Gonzalez family settles into their space, they do so with a sense of accomplishment, recognizing that this home stands not just as a structure, but as a manifestation of the artistry that turns devastation into triumph.
