Solange Mwangi has been designing homes in Los Angeles for sixteen years. In the last five, she's become one of the city's most vocal proponents of using reclaimed structural beams in new construction and renovation. We sat down with her at her studio in Culver City.
"I first used reclaimed beams on a project in Venice in 2020," Solange told us. "The client wanted exposed ceiling beams but didn't like the look of new engineered lumber. I suggested reclaimed Douglas fir timbers, and the result was transformative. Those beams have a presence that new wood simply doesn't have."
Solange now specifies reclaimed beams in roughly 60% of her projects. "The key is understanding that reclaimed beams are not just decorative — they're functional structural elements with a proven track record. A Douglas fir beam that's been supporting a warehouse for 80 years has demonstrated its strength more convincingly than any engineering calculation."
She works closely with structural engineers to verify load capacities. "We grade each beam individually, check for hidden defects with ultrasound, and verify species. It's more work than specifying new glulam, but the payoff in character and sustainability is enormous."
Her advice for homeowners considering reclaimed beams: "Start with a reputable supplier — not someone selling mystery wood from an unknown source. A good supplier knows where each beam came from, has tested for contaminants, and can verify the species and grade."
"Also, think about the beams early in the design process, not as an afterthought. When we design around specific reclaimed beams, the results are far more cohesive than trying to retrofit salvaged timber into a design meant for new materials."
Solange's latest project, a ground-up home in Mar Vista, features eight reclaimed old-growth Douglas fir beams spanning the entire width of the living space. The beams came from a 1930s industrial building in Vernon that we deconstructed last year.