Rebuilding After the Fires: A Vision for Resilient Design
Dear clients, neighbors, friends, and community members,
Our hearts are with everyone affected by the devastating fires.
These fires are a stark reminder of the growing risks our communities face as climate change intensifies. As an architect dedicated to sustainable and resilient design, I have witnessed the devastation that wildfires can inflict on the built environment and the lives of those who call it home. However, in destruction, there is also an opportunity—to rebuild stronger, smarter, and more sustainably than before.
As a member of the Community Brigade, we were on the front lines battling the flames as they tore through our neighborhoods. Witnessing the destruction firsthand was heartbreaking. Seeing homes reduced to ashes, families displaced, and our natural landscape scorched reinforced the urgent need for better fire-resistant building strategies, as the conventional wood siding, asphalt shingles, and untreated eaves became fuel for the advancing flames. This catastrophe reinforces the need for a paradigm shift in how we design and construct buildings in fire-prone regions.
Attending the Community Brigade meetup at Duke’s in Malibu after assisting with the Big Rock evacuation on January 7th. Photo courtesy of Clay Bush.
The key to rebuilding in any fire-prone area is to integrate fire-resistant materials, passive design strategies, and smart technology to create homes that not only withstand wildfires but also contribute to a more sustainable future. Some fundamental principles include:
Fire-Resistant Materials: Using non-combustible materials like concrete, steel, and specially treated wood can drastically reduce a building’s vulnerability. Rammed earth and hempcrete are other sustainable alternatives that provide insulation and fire resistance.
Defensible Space Planning: Strategically designed landscaping can act as a buffer between the home and the approaching fire. Creating defensible space by using drought-resistant, low-flammability plants, gravel paths, and firebreaks helps slow the spread of flames.
Ventilation and Embers Protection: Many homes are lost not to direct flames but to flying embers. Installing ember-resistant vents and eliminating exposed eaves can prevent embers from igniting a structure.
Water Conservation and Storage: Given California’s ongoing drought conditions, capturing and reusing rainwater, integrating greywater systems, and implementing atmospheric water generation technology can provide critical emergency resources.
Self-Sufficient Energy Systems: Solar panels, battery storage, and microgrid technology can ensure that homes remain powered even when the grid is compromised by a disaster.
An aerial view of the foundation work for our Thomas Fire rebuild project in Ventura, CA.
Photo courtesy of Allen Construction.
Rebuilding after a wildfire is not just about individual homes; it’s about rethinking entire communities. Designing neighborhoods with shared green spaces, decentralized water and energy systems, and evacuation-friendly infrastructure can enhance both safety and quality of life. Architects, urban planners, policymakers, and residents must collaborate to create resilient communities that serve as models for the future.
The fires, including the Franklin Fire, the Eaton Fire, and the Palisades Fire, are tragedies. In their aftermath lies an opportunity to redefine what it means to build responsibly in the 21st century by embracing innovative, fire-resistant, and sustainable design principles.
At Studio of Environmental Architecture, our mission is to create homes and communities that are more resilient to wildfires and aligned with the broader goals of environmental stewardship. By combining cutting-edge technology with time-tested ecological strategies, we can rebuild in a way that honors both the natural environment and the people who call it home.
When you are ready to reimagine, redesign, and rebuild stronger than ever, our team is ready to help - with more experience on fire rebuilds than we would like. We collaborate with experienced builders, expeditors, and other consultants to help make the process as easy and cost-effective as possible. If you need guidance or support, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help in any way we can.
We have included wildfire recovery resources below and more information about the Community Brigade for those in the Malibu area who might be interested in joining or learning more. The Community Brigade operates under LA County Fire Division 7, helping to fill critical gaps in wildfire defense, particularly in hard-to-reach areas where traditional firefighting resources may be stretched thin. The work is a testament to the power of community-led action in the face of increasing wildfire threats.
Resources to support those affected by the LA Wildfires
The New York Times: Community L.A. Fire Brigade Steps In to Help Evacuate Residents
CBS News: LA County Community Brigade set to be honored for heroic efforts during devastating wildfires
Vogue: On the Ground With Los Angeles’s Volunteer Fire Brigade
My interview with the BBC on wildfires, rebuilding, and resilience is live here.
If you’re able, please consider supporting wildfire preparedness by donating to the Community Brigade through the LA Fire Preparedness Foundation at LAEPF.org.
With the Community Brigade members
Together, we can help protect and rebuild our communities.
With resilience,
David Hertz
