LA Architects Discuss Rebuilding Following the Fire in Altadena

In the aftermath of the devastating Eaton Fire that swept through Altadena, California, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake, local residents and community leaders are rallying together to rebuild and preserve the unique character of the historically Black neighborhood.

One such resident who managed to save his home from the fire's wrath is Steven Lewis, a principal at ZGF Architects and former president of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA). Lewis, who lives in western Altadena, has dedicated himself to helping the community retain its identity as rebuilding efforts take shape. He is working closely with the Pasadena Foothill AIA Chapter and his NOMA colleagues to ensure that the spirit and rich heritage of Altadena are preserved.

Heather Flood, a dean of the school of architecture and professor at Woodbury University in Burbank, California, was not so fortunate. Her home in Altadena was destroyed by the fire on 7 January. Flood, who lost her home and accessory dwelling unit (ADU), now considers the Eaton Fire an emotional, personal tragedy and an architectural problem urgently in need of a solution.

Flood emphasizes that architects must find a better way to design at the edge of the wildland-urban interface. Darrell Park, a neighbor of Flood who also lost his home and ADU in the wildfire, shares this sentiment. Park has proposed a fast-track pilot programme to construct 100 houses in 100 days to expedite the rebuilding process.

Various groups are discussing how licensed architects might be used to 'self-check' plans in order to expedite the permitting process. This approach could help speed up the rebuilding efforts and provide much-needed relief to the affected residents.

The tight-knit community of western Altadena is known for households spanning generations and families with multiple homes in the area. However, the fire took a tragic toll on the community, with 17 of the 29 fire deaths occurring in this neighborhood. Evacuation orders on the western side lagged hours behind the ones issued on the eastern side, despite the winds whipping flames and smoke at enormous speed.

Despite the loss and hardship, there is hope amongst Flood's neighbors that they might act collectively or pool resources to expedite the rebuilding process. Lewis shares a lesson from his time working in Detroit: "Nothing about us, without us, is for us." Involving the community in leading the way forward is crucial to preserving the spirit and rich heritage of Altadena, regardless of future infrastructure or homeowner aesthetics.

The architect associated with NOMA who currently lives in Altadena is Winston Thorne. Together with Lewis and Flood, and the rest of the community, they are working tirelessly to rebuild and restore Altadena to its former glory. The Eaton Fire may have left a path of destruction in its wake, but the resilience and determination of the community ensure that Altadena will rise from the ashes stronger than ever.