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The structure
The four structural systems we build with in Los Angeles, and how we choose between them for your home.
There is no single right way to build a luxury home in Los Angeles. The right structure depends on your lot, your fire zone, your design and your budget. We explain the trade-offs plainly during pre-construction, and most of our homes use more than one of these systems.
The most common residential system in Southern California. Douglas fir and engineered lumber, with plywood shear walls and steel hold-downs for seismic strength. Flexible, fast and easy to modify, which is why it remains the standard for additions and remodels.
Best for: additions, whole-house remodels, spec homes and custom homes outside the highest fire-hazard zones, or combined with steel and concrete where the design calls for it.
Moment frames and wide-flange beams make the long spans, cantilevers and walls of glass that define modern architecture possible. Steel does not shrink, warp or burn, and it lets us open a hillside home to the view without giving up strength.
Best for: contemporary custom homes, hillside lots, large glass openings, cantilevered decks and seismic retrofits of existing homes.
Caissons, grade beams and retaining walls are how a hillside home holds its ground, and board-formed architectural concrete has become a finish in its own right. Concrete brings thermal mass, quiet, and a level of permanence nothing else matches.
Best for: hillside foundations and retaining walls, below-grade levels, pool structures, and homes where exposed concrete is part of the architecture.
Interlocking foam blocks are stacked, reinforced and filled with concrete, leaving a solid wall wrapped in continuous insulation. ICF has become one of the most requested systems for fire rebuilds because it combines the fire and seismic performance of concrete with a quiet, highly efficient envelope.
Best for: fire rebuilds in the Palisades, Malibu and the hillside communities, energy-efficient custom homes, and anyone who wants a quieter, more resilient house.
A closer look
Steel-built homes use strong, precise framing that will not warp or crack over time. They offer excellent resistance to fire, pests and weather, resulting in long-term durability and low maintenance.
At Addition Building & Design, we craft steel homes that unite striking aesthetics with high-performance durability to deliver lasting value.
Concrete-built homes use poured concrete or concrete block, making them extremely strong and durable. They resist fire, pests and severe weather better than traditional wood-framed houses, help regulate indoor temperatures, which can lower energy costs, and require less maintenance over time.
At Addition Building & Design, we believe building a concrete home with us seamlessly combines refined aesthetics with high-performance durability to deliver lasting value for years to come.
Insulated Concrete Forms have emerged as a leading construction practice for builders and architects who want durability, energy efficiency and design flexibility. Here is how ICFs stack up against traditional building methods.
Compared to ICF block construction, wood framing falls short in its resistance to external forces. ICF assemblies can withstand extreme weather and winds of up to 250 mph, while stick-built walls are vulnerable to high winds and impact.
Wood is also susceptible to termites, mold and costly water damage, and a typical wood-frame wall is fire-rated for about 45 minutes. ICF walls are not prone to termite or water damage and carry a fire rating of up to four hours.
Wood-frame structures have insulation between the studs, but every stud is a thermal break, leading to inconsistent interior temperatures and reduced energy efficiency. Insulated Concrete Form walls have continuous interior and exterior insulation for better thermal performance and comfort.
Ratings are relative comparisons for a typical Los Angeles luxury residence and are meant as a starting point for conversation. Cost and schedule vary with the site, the design and the market; we price the actual structure for your project during pre-construction.
Where the structure matters most
Private Consultation
We take on a select number of significant projects each year. If you are considering a custom estate, a hillside build, or a full transformation, we would be glad to walk the property with you.
