The Phoenix Effect: Designers and Architects Lead the Innovative Rebuild of Fire-Impacted LA. An impassioned panel featuring William Hefner, Jamie Rummerfield, and Gwen Sukeena discusses architectural preservation, fire-resilient design, and community-driven efforts to shape a more thoughtful, resilient Los Angeles in the wake of the devastating wildfires.
The panel, moderated by Kelly Phillips Badal (Los Angeles Editor for Luxe Interiors and Design), focused on the challenges and innovative opportunities arising from the need to rebuild communities—specifically Altadena and the Palisades—after the recent devastating wildfires. The core themes were architectural preservation, fire-resilient building, and community collaboration.
The Power of Preservation and Moving Homes (Gwen Sukeena):
Interior designer Gwen Sukeena shared her deeply personal and compelling story of losing her own Altadena home to the fire and, determined to avoid building a “soulless” new structure, decided to save and move a 1910 Craftsman bungalow marked for demolition.
The process was grueling, taking less than three months and costing approximately $400,000 (including move, deconstruction, and foundation work), saving about one-third of the cost of a new build.
A significant finding revealed the house was originally built by the Milwaukee Building Company (later Meyer and Holler), known for iconic LA structures like Grauman’s Chinese Theater and the Egyptian Theater.
Regulatory Advantage: Moving a pre-existing home allows it to be considered a remodel, exempting it from current Title 24 energy codes, which saves costs but requires creative fireproofing solutions (e.g., underneath shingles).
Architectural Legacy and Community-Driven Guides (Jamie Rummerfield):
Designer Jamie Rummerfield, co-founder of Save Iconic Architecture (SIA), detailed the initial community response and the need to combat “soulless box” tract homes during the speedy rebuild phase.
In collaboration with the Design Leadership Network (DLN), SIA created a pattern language book called the Golden California Pattern Book.
This field guide documents and celebrates the distinct eras that shaped Southern California living (Spanish Revival, Colonial Revival, California Modern, Cali Card), serving as a free resource for the public to understand and reference authentic regional design.
The initiative launched recently at a town hall and is available online as The New California Classics.
Fire Resilience and Replicating Character (William Hefner):
Architect William Hefner (Studio William Hefner), a fifth-generation Californian, emphasized the goal of building fire-resilient structures that still maintain the character clients lost.
His firm contributed plans to Case Study 2.0, focusing on variety, constructability, and designing for fire resistance using modern materials.
Solutions involve deep dives into materiality, such as using fiberglass-reinforced concrete that mimics subtle wood texture without serving as kindling, and designing eaves that do not trap embers.
He detailed a client who, after losing their 20-year-old California Italian Mediterranean Revival house, insisted on rebuilding it exactly as it was, underscoring how architecture is key to identity and emotional recovery.
Concerns and Future Outlook:
Panelists expressed concern about the upcoming explosion of building activity leading to opportunism (“land grabs,” unchecked development) and a lack of mindfulness regarding neighborhood character and streetscapes.
The creative community’s response has been impressive, with architects and designers creating resources like the Foothill Catalog (in Altadena) and the New California Classics to provide high-quality, approachable options for rebuilding.
The panel explored the intersection of natural and man-made materials in landscape design, highlighting the balance between aesthetic, sustainability, and functional concerns. Participants discussed how interior and landscape designers borrow nature to create cohesive environments, including outdoor “rooms” and hardscape features softened with plantings. Material selection — stone, metal, glass, composite decking, and synthetic turf — was debated, with attention to local sourcing, durability, environmental impact, and client expectations. The panel also emphasized the sensory experience of landscapes, touching on sight, sound, smell, and taste, and how design can evoke memory and emotion. Sustainability, fire safety, maintenance, and longevity were recurring themes, particularly in the adoption of synthetic materials that mimic natural ones while reducing environmental or upkeep costs.
Borrowed landscape: Using surrounding natural colors and textures to inform material choices in hardscape design.
Softening hardscape: Plantings and layered design to maintain depth without overwhelming the property.
Context-appropriate material selection: Stone, metal, glass, gravel, and concrete chosen according to environment, use, and climate.
Trend toward natural imperfection: Broken edges, less precision, biophilic design responding to a highly digital, precise world.
Sustainability tensions: Balancing natural and synthetic materials for longevity, cost, and environmental impact.
Synthetic decking and recycled composites: TimberTech and similar products for durability, low maintenance, and fire safety.
Artificial turf considerations: High-use areas, water savings, lifespan, recycling challenges.
Sensory-driven design: Sight, sound, smell, and taste incorporated into landscapes for holistic human experiences.
Childhood memory and emotional recall: Design that evokes personal sensory memory for users.
Fire and climate constraints: Materials must meet modern safety and insurance standards.
Rebuilding After the Fire: How Designers, Architects & Community Leaders Are Reimagining Livability in Southern California A panel of architects, designers, sustainability experts, and community advocates explore what the 2025 Palisades and Altadena fires taught us about resilience, materiality, community loss, rebuilding timelines, economic displacement, and the future of Southern California living. Moderated by Adam Hunter.
The 2025 Palisades and Altadena fires delivered a historic and deeply personal shock to Southern California communities, reshaping not only homes but expectations for safety, materiality, and resilience. In this WestEdge Wednesday conversation moderated by Adam Hunter, the panel digs into both the physical and emotional layers of rebuilding.
Architect Richard Manion contextualizes the fires as a “perfect storm”—a wind-driven event functioning like a flamethrower—requiring a more holistic approach to resilient construction. Sarah Malek Barney highlights the risks of long-standing industry shortcuts in material selection and emphasizes the renewed value of fire-resistant, performance-proven products. Marcella Oliver outlines actionable guidance from USGBC California and the Net Zero Accelerator, underscoring vetted building strategies and digital-twin modeling as essential tools for community education.
Stacy Munich brings forward the human consequences: underinsurance, temporary housing, and the emotional weight of rebuilding while navigating uncertainty. She explores prefab/precision-built housing as a potential solution for families priced out of traditional custom rebuilding. Todd Paolillo expands on the challenge of unifying a large number of well-intentioned contributors across agencies, nonprofits, and design sectors—and why true leadership must emerge to align them.
Education gaps for homeowners suddenly forced into complex architectural decisions
Economic realities shaping who can return and who is pushed out
Long rebuilding timelines and the risk of “enthusiasm fatigue,” as Adam Hunter notes
Avoiding both prefab monotony and hyper-luxury displacement in the Alphabet Streets
The panel collectively reinforces a core message: rebuilding isn’t simply architecture—it’s long-term community-making. And it requires every discipline to show up.
PARTICIPANTS & WEB LINKS
(Links provided to official homepages or primary professional sites)
Late last year, I moderated an event hosted by Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home with the goal of breaking down kitchen desires and needs of todays well informed and demanding design clients. You would think this is an easy conversation to have. I assembled an all star cast of design and architecture talent for an incredible conversation. One that you might want to save and re-listen every now and then.
Late last year, I moderated an event hosted by Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home with the goal of breaking down kitchen desires and needs of todays well informed and demanding design clients. You would think this is an easy conversation to have. I assembled an all star cast of design and architecture talent for an incredible conversation. One that you might want to save and re-listen every now and then.
At Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home in Torrance, leading architects, designers, and industry specialists gathered to examine how pandemic-era shifts, rising client expectations, and rapid product innovation are reshaping the future of kitchens and baths. Their insights reveal an industry moving beyond trend talk toward highly personalized, wellness-driven, and performance-first design.
The kitchen is no longer just a workspace, and the primary bath is no longer just a retreat. Over the past five years, these rooms have become emotional anchors, wellness centers, hospitality zones, tech platforms, and reflections of how people believe they should live. At Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home in Torrance, a cross-section of the industry’s leading voices came together to discuss how the profession is adapting—and what clients now expect designers to deliver.
For Sayler Design Studio founder Beth Sayler (https://saylorstudio.com), the shift is rooted in emotion. After years of pandemic-related uncertainty, material shortages, and insurance-driven rebuilds, clients want spaces that feel personal, restorative, and meaningful. Her projects now lean into “experience design,” where primary suites might include refrigeration drawers, espresso stations, integrated audio, and hospitality-level details. Her biggest tool is expectation-setting—helping clients redefine what’s realistic, what’s essential, and what will ultimately make them feel at home again.
Architect Luis Escalera of LMD Architecture Studio (https://www.lmdarchitecturestudio.com) experiences the evolution through the lens of constraints. Small lots, stricter codes, and the ongoing battle between mandated electrification and client cooking preferences require tight onboarding, detailed questionnaires, and careful translation of desires to built form. The modern kitchen triangle now includes the deck, yard, and pool—one interconnected lifestyle zone that must function as a unified system.
For Jessica Nicastro Design (https://www.jessicanicastrodesign.com), the challenge is volatility. Pricing, tariffs, and supply chains remain inconsistent, making early builder involvement essential. Her firm works to recalibrate what clients think they want—often shaped by social media—into spaces appropriate to the home, lifestyle, and budget. Transparency and trust have become the designer’s most valuable currency.
At Laney LA (https://www.laney.la), designer Michelle Her sees a growing demand for wellness integration: whole-home RO systems, chromotherapy, therapeutic water pressure, and recovery spaces designed with the same rigor once reserved for kitchens. Their philosophy—“the best idea wins”—creates an environment where architecture, interiors, and engineering collaborate fluidly to support elevated living.
Representing the host venue, Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home (https://www.pacificsales.com) showcased the power of specialized knowledge. Trade leaders Verzine Hovasapyan and Juan Pantoja describe a client landscape with no single standard—making customization and education critical. Manufacturer immersion programs ensure staff can guide clients through increasingly complex appliances and smarter home ecosystems, offering a level of service no online retailer can match.
Designer Shanna Shryne of Shanna Shryne Design (https://www.shannashryne.com) emphasized lifestyle-first programming. Outdoor kitchens, in particular, require multi-disciplinary collaboration—interiors, landscape architecture, and systems integration—to achieve unified performance. Complexity, she argues, demands partnership rather than lone-wolf generalists.
Finally, RHG Architecture + Design founder Rachel Grachowski (https://www.rhgdesign.com) and Hudson Home Interior Design principal Shelly Hudson (https://www.hudsonhomeinteriors.com) highlighted biophilia, natural light, and personalized ergonomics as the next frontiers. From adjustable counter heights to dedicated recovery rooms, the home is becoming a hybrid of spa, laboratory, and living space.
Taken together, their perspectives reveal a profession not following trends but redefining standards—one kitchen, one bath, one wellness ecosystem at a time.
Design After Disruption: How We Live Now—and Why Process Matters More Than Ever
The pandemic didn’t just change where we work—it redefined how we live, gather, and experience our homes. In this episode, designers and industry experts explore how COVID accelerated shifts in lifestyle, technology, and client expectations, forcing a fundamental rethink of residential design. From wellness and personalization to process and trust, this conversation reveals why great design today begins long before materials are selected.
A wide-ranging conversation about how post-pandemic living reshaped residential design, why understanding behavior matters more than trends, and how slowing the process leads to better, more meaningful homes.
Today, we examine the profound shift in how people relate to their homes—and how designers have had to evolve in response. What began as a temporary adjustment during the pandemic became a lasting transformation: homes turned into offices, classrooms, social hubs, and sanctuaries, often all at once.
As a result, clients now arrive more informed, more opinionated, and more influenced by social media than ever before. But with that access comes confusion. The conversation explores how designers increasingly serve as educators and translators—helping clients filter inspiration, understand trade-offs, and make decisions rooted in how they actually live rather than how a space looks online.
The discussion moves beyond aesthetics into behavior: how families gather, how kitchens function, how storage works, and how subtle design decisions impact daily life. From kitchen planning and furniture layout to the psychology of comfort and the importance of workflow, the episode highlights why the smallest details often matter most.
A central theme emerges around process. Thoughtful design requires slowing down, asking better questions, and resisting the pressure for instant gratification. Whether it’s understanding how a family entertains, how they cook, or how they want to feel in their home, the best outcomes come from listening first—and designing second.
1. Life After COVID: A Permanent Shift
How the pandemic changed expectations around home design
The rise of multifunctional spaces
Why the home is now both personal and professional
2. Social Media’s Influence on Design Culture
The upside and downside of endless inspiration
Why clients arrive more informed—but often overwhelmed
Separating aspiration from practicality
3. Designing for Real Life
Understanding how people actually use their homes
Why square footage means nothing without function
Designing for habits, not hypotheticals
4. The Role of the Designer Has Changed
From decorator to strategist
Educating clients through experience and data
Acting as a guide through complex decisions
5. The Importance of the Kickoff Process
Why the first conversations matter most
Learning how clients live before proposing solutions
Creating clarity through dialogue, not questionnaires
6. Kitchens as Behavioral Maps
Storage, workflow, and daily rituals
Why drawers often matter more than appliances
Designing around how people actually cook and gather
7. Slowing the Process to Improve Outcomes
Resisting the urge for instant answers
Why design is both art and structured process
Helping clients avoid regret through thoughtful planning
8. Trust, Education & Long-Term Value
Helping clients understand what they don’t yet know
Using experience and precedent to guide decisions
Designing homes that evolve with the people in them
Great design isn’t about trends, finishes, or fast decisions—it’s about understanding people and tailoring functional design to their lifestyle. This episode reinforces a simple truth: when designers take the time to listen, observe, and educate, the result is not just a better-looking home, but one that truly supports the lives lived inside it.
Architecture is evolving faster than ever, especially in healthcare, where design intersects with technology, patient experience, and operational efficiency. In this episode, principals Rebecca MacDonald and Kyle Basilius of Parkin Architects discuss the changing landscape of hospital design, from universal versus private healthcare systems to the integration of AI and robotics. Discover how architecture shapes outcomes for patients, families, and staff, while anticipating the healthcare challenges of tomorrow.
Join us for a deep dive into the world of healthcare architecture with Parkin Architects. Rebecca McDonald and Kyle Basilius share insights from decades of experience designing hospitals across Canada, the U.S., and Europe. From flexible master planning and lifespan considerations to advanced lighting, patient control systems, and automated logistics, they reveal how design can directly impact health, wellness, and operational efficiency. We explore how emerging technologies like AI, remote diagnostics, and robotics are beginning to influence design decisions and operational planning, creating safer, more adaptive, and human-focused healthcare environments.
Whether you’re interested in the philosophy of design, future-proofing healthcare infrastructure, or the intersection of technology and empathy, this conversation highlights the practical and visionary approaches shaping hospitals today.
Talking Points:
Introduction & Context
Host sets the stage: the evolution of architecture in healthcare, AI, and technology in shelter and commercial spaces.
Brief MIT course on AI and machine learning as inspiration for the discussion.
Guest Introductions
Rebecca McDonald: 12 years at Parkin Architects, focus on healthcare planning, personal motivation from family experiences in healthcare.
Kyle Basilius: Design and planning across the U.S., Denmark, and Canada; current principal overseeing cancer hospital design, philosophy of integrating empathy into architecture.
Healthcare Systems & Design Philosophy
Comparison: Single-payer/universal healthcare vs. two-payer U.S. system.
Operational implications: access, staff wellness, patient and family experience.
Budgeting and stewardship of public funds in large-scale projects.
Hospital Lifespan & Flexibility
Typical hospital lifecycle: 50 years; planning for technological and programmatic changes.
Importance of flexible core and shell design to accommodate renovations, evolving patient care, and technology integration.
Master planning: phased renewals, mixed-use inpatient and outpatient strategies.
Technology & AI in Healthcare Design
AI as a tool for operational efficiency and patient care improvement.
Automation: AGVs and AMRs for logistics and staff support.
Potential for remote surgeries, telemedicine, and hub-and-spoke care models.
Emergency Department Design
Throughput and triage-focused planning: neighborhood-style zones for low, high, and trauma acuity patients.
Mental health challenges and patient volume impacts on design.
Opportunities for tech integration to improve patient flow and staff experience.
Lighting & Environmental Control
LED and circadian lighting systems for patient comfort, sleep, and recovery.
Flexibility and control for staff and patients.
Integration with intuitive interfaces to improve operational workflow and care delivery.
Staff Wellbeing & Operational Efficiency
Reducing injury through thoughtful design and automation.
Leveraging AI and technology to improve staff retention and productivity.
Supporting patient-centered care while optimizing building operations.
The Future of Healthcare Architecture
Planning for technological advances, flexible programming, and patient-focused design.
Anticipating evolving care delivery models, population growth, and community needs.
Emphasis on human-centered design as the core of architectural innovation.
Closing Thoughts
Key takeaways: design is as much about the people using the space as it is about the physical structures.
The evolving role of technology and AI as supportive tools rather than replacements.
Thank you Rebecca, thank you Kyle and everyone at Parkin Architects for craft special places with purpose.
Thank you for listening. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend or colleague who loves design and architecture like you do, subscribe to Convo By Design wherever you get your podcasts. And continue the conversation on Instagram @convo x design with an “x”. Keep those emails coming with guest suggestions, show ideas and locations where you’d like to see the show. Convo by design at outlook.com.
Thank you to my partner sponsors, TimberTech, The AZEK Company, Pacific Sales, Best Buy, and Design Hardware for supporting the publication of over 650 episodes and over 3,000,000 streams, downloads and making Convo By Design the longest running podcast of its kind. These companies support the shelter industry so give them an opportunity on your next project. Thanks again for listening. Until next time, be well, stay focused and rise about the chaos. -CXD
It is very hard for me to believe it but the 2025 edition of WestEdge is almost here. This will be the 10th edition of the show and I am so excited to share the slate of talks taking place this year in the WestEdge Theater Presented By Pacific Sales! But, I’m not going to do it here because our time here is limited. But I have an idea.
I am going to link all of the programs and the times in the show notes. So, you can make your plans accordingly. Today on the show, you are going to hear from Megan Reilly, co-founder of WestEdge and my dear friend, Kim Gordon of Kim Gordon Designs. Kim is joined by Julia Demarco, who together designed the WestEdge Theater Presented by Pacific Sales. We talk about the inspiration that went into the theater design, the how and they why. You are going to love this.
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Before we get into it, I have something really special to share with you. Something special with a WestEdge connection. My friend, and longtime friend of the show Anthony Laney of Laney LA sent me a copy of the new monograph, Poetics of Home; Essays and Spaces by Laney LA. And so, I want to share a special installment of BOOKLOOK.
BookLook – Anthony Laney, Laney LA: Poetics of Home
Avialable from Oscar Riera Ojeda Publishers: Order Here.
“ Laney LA’s work embodies a distinctly Southern California spirit – the blur between indoors and out, the layering of experiences, the quiet merger of minimalism and sensuality. – Sam Lubell . This is from the foreword of Laney LA’s book, Poetics of Home. The book is available through Oscar Riera Ojeda Publishers.
Before I tell you about the book, let me tell you about my friend Anthony Laney. Laney and I first bonded on the show over a project of his in Manhattan Beach, home for me. This project had a disappearing pool, which was very cool, but it was’t the cool factor of a pool that disappeared below a functional outdoor space. It was the “why” behind its installment. The South Bay in Los Angeles is known for very expensive homes on very small lots. The underground pool is very cool but more than that, it represents something very special about Anthony and his namesake firm. This was a solution to a challenge. The client wanted this space and the home designed for the site. But they also wanted a yard for the family to enjoy the very unique exterior environment. Mark Twain said it best, “Buy land, they’re not making It anymore”. It takes a very special mind to craft something that literally makes more functional space on the same site.
If you want to understand the thought process and the ethos of this unique firm, Poetics of Home shows you what’s behind the walls, and under the deck. But Laney LA has another challenge. This was their debut monograph and just like a smash hit record, it will be very difficult to match or exceed. So, let’s focus on this one.
“Craft is where intention becomes tangible” – Anthony Laney
My favorite quote from the book because it is so simple and true. 6 words that succinctly define the motive. If you are anything like me, with regard to design and architecture, the story behind the design is equally important to form and function. Because the industry still speaks about architecture in terms of form and function. Yeah, it’ important. However, when you minimize something to simply how it looks and why it does, you can’t fully explore the intangibles. The way a space makes you feel. If you’ve never been to LA’s South Bay, you don’t know what Manhattan Beach smells like in August. Sunscreen and salt air, the scent of grilled meat and citrus. Or, what it sounds like during the Charlie Saikley 6-Man Beach Volleyball Tournament. Or, what it feels like in December during the fireworks show off the pier when 125,000 people descend on this small beach town. A special home in this place needs to be build to accommodate all of the senses. And it takes a very special architecture firm to understand how a client wants to live and then deliver a space for all the feels, sights, sounds, smells and yet, a shelter from the very same when desired.
This is the superpower behind Laney LA and Poetics of Home defines it, showcases it, explains it in text and imagery. If you are a true devotee of architecture, you need this masterpiece in your library if for no other reason, than to remind you of the true importance behind exceptional architecture. That it’s not how big it is, how expensive it was to construct, what celebrity lives there, what trade magazine put it on the cover, but instead, how it was crafted for an individual, a couple, a family… Ideated in a completely holistic manner. The joy in this book is endless, not physically, that ends on page 300 with a group photo. But the ideas endure far beyond that.Anthony, congratulations and well done.
Thank you, Megan, Kim and Julia for the time, conversation and partnership. Can’t wait to see you at WestEdge.
Thank you for listening. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend or colleague who loves design and architecture like you do, subscribe to Convo By Design wherever you get your podcasts. And continue the conversation on Instagram @convo x design with an “x”. Keep those emails coming with guest suggestions, show ideas and locations where you’d like to see the show. Convo by design at outlook.com.
Thank you to my partner sponsors, TimberTech, The AZEK Company, Pacific Sales, Best Buy, LOME-AI and Design Hardware for supporting the publication of over 650 episodes and over 3,000,000 streams, downloads and making Convo By Design the longest running podcast of its kind. These companies support the shelter industry so give them an opportunity on your next project. Thanks again for listening. Until next time, be well, stay focused and rise about the chaos. -CXD
When I was growing up, radio was my solace. I loved it so much that I chose it for my career. I can remember being 10 years old with my transistor radio listening to 10Q and KHJ. Later, it was KLOS, KMET, KNAC and KROQ. The call letters were cool, the music and bands remain bookmarks in my life. I can pretty much tell you how old I was, where I was and what was going on by the songs. But my friends were the dj’s. Jeff Goner, Steve Downs, Bob Coburn, Rita Wilde, Dangerous Darren, Richard Blade, Rodney on the Rock. It was the people who told the stories about the music, the bands and what was happening behind the scenes. Many of us love design and architecture in the same way. And on that rare occasion when there is a combination of the two, well that’s special. And this months induction into the Convo By Design Icon Registry is one such individual. This person is truly special and I have had the good fortune to work with her on a number of occasions.
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Frances Anderton describes herself, “I tell stories and distill ideas about design, architecture and the cityscape of Los Angeles through print, broadcast media, exhibitions and public events.” All true, and she has the street crew to back that up. What Frances didn’t mention is that she herself is part of the zeitgeist of Los Angeles. Nor would she, that would be weird. But one of the most wonderful things about Frances is her willingness to get into a topic and chop it up, refine it, reorganize it and play with it until she has boiled it’s very essence into something consumable by anyone who with a modicum of interest. That is special.
To celebrate Frances and her induction into the Convo By Design Icon Registry, I want to reshare her moderating a panel conversation that aired on Convo By Design in 2015. Frances was a fixture for the 2-years that the West Hollywood Design District produced a wonderful event called DIEM, which stands for design intersects everything made. The programs were curated by Mallory Roberts Morgan, another remarkable LA gem of an individual. You don’t know this, but you will in a minute… Mallory and Frances were huge influences on me as I launched the show in 2013 and for the first few years. Quite simply, I wanted to make people think and question the way they did. To tap into curiosity the way they did. To come up with really interesting angles like Mallory and rip the niceties away so we could really chop it up the way Frances did and does. This panel from 2015 featured, Stephan Simpkowitz, Carolina Miranda and Steven Goldberg. As you listen to this conversation, notice a few things. First, the topic they were discussing a decade ago has since fully matured and blossomed as LA became the global art destination it always wanted to be. Notice too how Frances leverages the talents and skills of her guests in such an effortless way. Quite simply, due to the very nature of this topic, it could have gone a very different way. This conversation is as relevant today as it was then. And Frances is a treasure.
The Convo By Design Icon Registry is presented by Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home, a Best Buy Company and best friend to designers and architects everywhere. The business has become more complicated and Pacific Sales reverses that, find out how by checking the links in the show notes.
So there you go, our newly inducted icon and a fantastic conversation from 2015. Thank you Frances, for all you do and all you have given back.Thank you to my partner sponsors, Design Hardware, TimberTech and Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home, a Best Buy company and friend to specifiers near and far. Thanks for listening to Convo By Design. I couldn’t do this without you, wouldn’t want to. I hope this show help you stay motivated, inspired and focused so you can rise above the chaos. –Convo By Design
California’s escalating wildfire crisis is forcing a radical rethink in residential architecture. With fires growing in intensity, frequency, and unpredictability, architects, planners, and policymakers are coming together to define a new blueprint for resilient, sustainable living in the wildland-urban interface. In May, I journeyed to Design Hardware for the Spring Design Thought Leadership Summit, something we do four times ayear at Design Hardware to delve into trending ideas and concepts bubbling up through the design and architecture community. After hosting these events for over 6-years at Design Hardware, I always come away with a fresh perspective on emerging ideas and this time was no exception. The idea this time was to isolate the concepts and ideas that are needed now to address climate change, specifically fire related issues and develop them into actionable strategies for building—and rebuilding—homes in fire-prone areas.
California’s escalating wildfire crisis is forcing a radical rethink in residential architecture. With fires growing in intensity, frequency, and unpredictability, architects, planners, and policymakers are coming together to define a new blueprint for resilient, sustainable living in the wildland-urban interface. In May, I journeyed to Design Hardware for the Spring Design Thought Leadership Summit, something we do four times ayear at Design Hardware to delve into trending ideas and concepts bubbling up through the design and architecture community. After hosting these events for over 6-years at Design Hardware, I always come away with a fresh perspective on emerging ideas and this time was no exception. The idea this time was to isolate the concepts and ideas that are needed now to address climate change, specifically fire related issues and develop them into actionable strategies for building—and rebuilding—homes in fire-prone areas.
The day was broken down into two parts. The first was specifically about fire-related building issues discussed during a panel featuring architect Greg Chasen of Chasen Architects and Ben Stapleton and Becky Feldman Edwards of the USGBC-CA. The second panel covered Market and supply chain issues being affected by both a surge in demand due to rebuilding and exacerbated by the on-again-off-again tariffs. That program will be published here as well so check back for publication.
This panel covers a lot. Here are some of the broader topics covered:
Developed with global design firm Arup, USGBC CA’s Rebuilding Guide is a cornerstone resource for homeowners, builders, and municipalities. It demystifies complex codes and synthesizes building science into digestible recommendations—ranging from site selection to material resilience, insurance options, and fire-adapted landscaping.
Common Language for Safety
One of the guide’s goals is to bridge communication gaps. “We have to be speaking the same language,” says Becky. Misunderstandings about what terms like “non-combustible” mean can lead to critical design flaws. The guide standardizes terminology to ensure that homeowners, contractors, and code officials are aligned.
3. Materials Matter: Vetting for Performance
The Rebuild Marketplace
To combat this, USGBC CA created the Rebuild Marketplace, a centralized database of rigorously vetted materials. By aggregating third-party certifications, performance data, and supplier information, it streamlines product selection and ensures homeowners aren’t left to navigate a confusing and inconsistent market on their own.
4. Passive Design for Active Protection
Building Without Vents
5. Codes, Compliance & Insurance Gaps
Aligning Codes and Insurance
6. Rethinking Density and Land Use
Smart Growth Strategies
7. Innovations in Housing Delivery
Housing innovation is also key to faster, more affordable recovery. Chasen outlines the benefits and limitations of prefab and modular construction, noting that while these methods reduce waste and speed up timelines, they aren’t always cheaper. He also encourages more creative approaches, such as:
ADUs as interim housing. These can serve displaced families during reconstruction and offer long-term rental income later.
Basements for cooling and shelter. Subterranean spaces provide thermal stability and potential fire refuge.
Fire-adapted finishes. Materials like thermally modified wood and fiber cement can replicate traditional aesthetics with modern protection.
8. Resilient Infrastructure Beyond the Home
Wildfire resilience extends beyond individual parcels. “These technologies exist, but we’re not implementing them,” says Ben, citing innovations like:
Buried power lines to reduce ignition risk.
Automatic water shutoffs for firefighting.
Community-scale solar and battery systems for grid independence during outages.
Investment in resilient infrastructure must parallel private construction to ensure collective security.
9. Regulating Rebuilds to Avoid Gentrification
Post-fire redevelopment often attracts large developers aiming to maximize profits. Chasen criticizes this dynamic: “You’re getting cheap, maximum-footprint homes with no real investment in community.” Without local involvement and regulation, fire-impacted areas risk displacement and gentrification.
Community-Led Planning
USGBC CA advocates for inclusive rebuild processes that prioritize original residents, especially those underinsured or living in high-risk zones. Incentives for owner-builders, design review standards, and community land trusts are potential tools to maintain affordability and equity.
10. From Reaction to Resilience: A Cultural Shift
I often say, “It’s always too soon… until it’s too late.” Rebuilding with intention requires proactive engagement, long-term thinking, and coordinated leadership. Communities can emerge stronger if they view wildfire not just as a hazard, but as a catalyst for transformation.
We cover a lot here and you are going to hear it all for Design Hardware, right after this.
Thank you Becky, Ben and Greg for taking the time to have this important conversation and providing so much actionable information! Check the show notes for details and links. Thank you for making the time during your busy day to listen to the show, subscribe and share with colleagues. Thank you to my partners sponsors; Pacific Sales, Best Buy, The AZEK Company, TimberTech and Design Hardware. All of these companies make a concerted effort to support the design industry through support of publishers like Convo By Design and sharing content and materials created to make our industry better and more resilient. Please give them an opportunity on your next project.
I created Convo By Design to serve a robust and incredibly creative design and architecture industry through programming like this. I hope you enjoy it. Please let me know. Send me an email with show and guest suggestions, convobydesign@outlook.com and join in the conversation on Instagram @ConvoXDesign, with an “X”. Thanks for listening to Convo By Design. Until next time—be well, I hope this show help you stay motivated, inspired and focused so you can rise above the chaos. -CXD
This episode of Convo By Design is scheduled for the week of July 8th, 2025. Intentionally so we can begin thinking about what’s coming. It’s hard to forget trauma, like what we saw in Pacific Palisades and Altadena earlier this year. But not impossible. Traditionally, “fire season” in California begins in August and ends around the end of October. Over the decades, there has been a creep into July, then June on the front end and then into November and December on the back end. Sadly, now, there is no longer a fire season, only an ongoing threat. Part of a recent California tour that started in the Bay Area and ended in Pasadena, I got an earful, and, because the mics are always on, so will you.In this special episode, you’re going to hear an extraordinary panel conversation in its entirety—one that explores the very real and immediate design challenges and opportunities facing architects, builders, designers, and manufacturers when creating residential projects in fire-prone areas. This conversation was recorded live and it’s one of the most practical, informative, and emotionally resonant discussions we’ve had about fire-resilient design. This was recorded live from Golden State Lumber in Concord, CA. It features amazing professionals from design, landscape design and architecture. We have industry insiders and those on the front lines, literally.
This episode features the full conversation in four parts and here are some important ideas to listen for:
Setting the Context—Urgency, Evolution, and Mindset Shifts
We open with a candid discussion about the evolving nature of wildfire—how modern firestorms are not the slow-moving ground fires of the past, but fast, intense, and unpredictable events that demand a complete rethinking of how homes are sited, designed, and built.
Listen for how the professionals on the panel are redefining “resilience”, not as a post-disaster reaction, but as a forward-thinking design responsibility.
There’s discussion about the emotional component—how clients are now asking for homes that not only reflect their aesthetic desires but also protect their families and investment.
You’ll hear the beginnings of a common theme: that collaboration across disciplines—architecture, landscape, materials, policy—is essential to progress.
Materials, Methods, and Design Strategy
This section dives into the specific building systems and material choices that can help defend a home against wildfire.
Pay close attention to the comparisons between wood vs. non-combustible materials, and the increasing use of metal roofs, cementitious siding, and Class A-rated assemblies.
There are valuable insights into decking, fencing, vents, and eaves—often overlooked but critical components in fire resistance.
The discussion touches on building codes and certifications, and how understanding these nuances can inform smarter material selection and design detailing.
Design Solutions in Action
This is where we get into real-world case studies. Panelists share examples of how they’ve adapted fire-resilient strategies in current projects and how clients are responding to new realities.
Listen for examples of reimagining exterior spaces—gravel moats, Mediterranean-inspired gardens, and drought-tolerant landscapes that are also fire-resistant.
There’s a growing theme of creative compromise—how to design beautiful homes that meet code, earn insurance, and still feel like home.
One of the strongest takeaways here is the growing influence of insurance companies as drivers of design decisions, often dictating what is and isn’t possible based on risk models.
Systems, Bureaucracy, and the Bigger Picture
The final section broadens the lens to policy, forest management, and societal responsibility.
You’ll hear passionate commentary on how municipal red tape and lack of funding are holding back fuel reduction and prevention efforts on public lands.
There’s a sharp critique of the conflicting policies surrounding water conservation versus the need to irrigate plants to keep them from becoming fire hazards.
Perhaps most striking is the discussion about emotional decision-making in real estate—how people choose to build in beautiful, risky places and the evolving responsibility of design professionals to help guide those decisions.
The panel ends with a moment of humor and honesty, reflecting on the risks of living in various climate zones, whether it’s fire, flood, tornado, or drought—and the universality of risk in a changing climate.
What you’re about to hear is the full conversation—raw, honest, and highly informative. It captures the crossroads where climate, design, policy, and personal responsibility meet. Whether you’re a designer, builder, municipal official, or homeowner, this discussion offers real, actionable insights into how we build safer, smarter, and more beautiful homes for a rapidly changing world.
That was the full conversation on designing and building for fire resilience—an important and timely topic that continues to evolve as our climate, policies, and expectations shift. Thank you to this amazing group; Mary Ann, Amy, Caroline, Jay, Ian, Robby, John and Dustin. I want to thank my partner sponsors who help make this show possible: Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home, a Best Buy Company, TimberTech, The AZEK Company and Design Hardware. Thank you for listening, subscribing, and sharing the show with your colleagues. Your support means everything, and it helps grow this conversation across the design community.
Make sure you subscribe to Convo By Design so you never miss an episode. We have more incredible guests, ideas, and conversations coming your way.
Please keep those emails coming. You can reach me directly at convoByDesign@outlook.com, and be part of the conversation on Instagram, @ConvoXDesign—that’s Convo X Design.
This is a complex issue and one that requires both deeper thought and immediate action.I want to thank every one of our expert guests for their insights, time, and passion.
Today, we learned:
How climate change and wildfire risk are reshaping architecture and landscape design;
What role new materials and building products play in safeguarding homes;
How to design beautiful, fire-conscious landscapes that meet strict new codes;
The ways insurance, regulations, and policy gaps are changing the game;
And why client education and holistic collaboration across disciplines is more important than ever.
Huge thanks, as always, to you for joining the conversation and to our sponsors for supporting these meaningful stories.
If you found this episode valuable, share it with a colleague and subscribe to make sure you don’t miss what’s next. We’ll continue bringing you the people, ideas, and innovations pushing the design world forward.
Until next time, stay curious, resilient, focused and rise above the chaos. – CXD
