When the Marshall Fire tore through neighborhoods in Boulder County in the winter of 2021, it destroyed over 1,000 homes and left thousands more with lingering damage. But the loss wasn’t limited to flames. Many homes that remained standing were still uninhabitable due to severe smoke infiltration.
At Bauen Build, we’ve had the opportunity to help one family rebuild after losing their home in the fire. They made a choice to use this moment to build a more resilient home. With guidance from their family—who had a background in homebuilding—and support from our team, they chose to rebuild to Passive House standards (though not formally certified). Their new home is airtight, highly insulated, and designed to offer protection not only from heat and cold, but also from smoke and fire impacts.
How Passive House Helps in Fire-Prone Areas
Passive House design wasn’t created for wildfire zones, but many of its principles make it remarkably well-suited for them. For starters, these homes are built to be exceptionally airtight. There are no traditional vents or soffits for embers to enter, and insulation materials like mineral wool are naturally fire-resistant. The use of durable exterior cladding, such as fiber cement or metal, adds another layer of protection.
Inside, high-performance windows—often triple-pane and tempered—offer greater resistance to heat and help prevent breakage under extreme conditions. That matters more than most people realize. As Matt Brill, our founder, explained: “One of the biggest risks is the fire’s heat causing windows to shatter, allowing embers and flames to enter; causing many homes to burn from the inside out.”
Airtight, well-ventilated homes also help keep smoke out. During the Marshall Fire, neighbors with code-built homes suffered heavy smoke damage—even blocks from the burn area. But some local residents, who had previously upgraded their home with airtight windows and a whole-house ventilation system (also known as an Energy Recovery Ventilator), returned to find their home untouched by smoke. Simply put: they could move back in. Their neighbors couldn’t.
A recent report featured by Passive House Accelerator recommends Passive House as a smart strategy for rebuilding in wildfire-prone regions, citing its airtightness, non-combustible materials, and advanced ventilation systems as key advantages in both prevention and recovery.
Beyond Code. Beyond “Good Enough.”
Passive House construction creates homes that are healthier, more comfortable, and more resilient. At Bauen Build, we take that even further—exceeding typical airtightness standards and applying a “belt and suspenders” approach to everything we do. From exterior vent protection to multi-layered window waterproofing, we design for durability and longevity.
Wildfires aren’t going away. But with better building practices, we can create homes that stand up to the changing climate and provide peace of mind in the face of it.
