Category Archives: Disaster

Forge Craft Architecture + Design Development of Passive House Science & Affordable Housing Policy | 691 | Overcoming Industry Inertia in Modern Urban Development

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Forge Craft Architecture + Design excels in the development of passive house science, affordable housing policy, and overcoming industry inertia in modern urban development.

  • The Core Philosophy: Forge Craft was founded on the principle that building design and performance must be equal and inseparable.
  • Affordable Housing as a Platform for Sustainability: The firm approaches affordable housing not only as a social necessity but as a powerful driver for energy efficiency and long-term building performance.
  • The Role of Policy and Advocacy: Working closely with nonprofit developers requires looking far beyond the short window of design and construction, leading the team to engage heavily in housing policy and zoning advocacy.
  • Building Science and Healthy Materials: Through certifications like Certified Passive House and material health initiatives, the firm focuses on creating resilient, moisture-managed, and toxin-free building envelopes.
  • Overcoming Industry Inertia: Despite advancements in modular construction and mass timber, the real estate and lending markets remain risk-averse, often defaulting to conventional stick-built methods.

Applicable Links & References

Unifying High Performance and Design: Inside the Evolution of Forge Craft Architecture |. | Partners Scott Ginder, Jon Cartwright, and Trey Farmer detail how Forge Craft combines passive house science, policy advocacy, and flexible housing models to redefine affordable and custom design.

Ever feel like the word “affordable housing” is the ultimate oxymoron in modern architecture? You’re not alone.

In the latest episode of Convo By Design, I sat down with Scott Ginder, Jon Cartwright, and Trey Farmer from Austin’s Forge Craft Architecture. Now, usually when architects talk about “building performance,” they mean keeping the rain out and making sure your living room wall doesn’t breathe like an old accordion.

But these guys are actually out here trying to break the system. From designing multi-million dollar custom homes to tackling actual non-profit supportive housing, they’re proving that high-performance building science shouldn’t just be a rich guy’s hobby.

We unpack why stick-built construction is stuck in the Stone Age, how local housing policy is practically designed to give developers a headache, and why Passive House tech might just save us from ourselves. It’s a reality check on where architecture is actually going while some, and you know who you are still copying and pasting plans from 1995.

Catch the full conversation on the podcast now. Hit play, subscribe, and let’s chop it up.

Foundational Philosophy: Scott Ginder co-founded Forge Craft in 2013 alongside Rommel Sulit on the premise that building design and building performance must be equal partners. The firm intentionally bridges the gap between custom, high-end residential projects and high-density affordable housing.

Capital ‘A’ vs. Lowercase ‘a’ Affordability: Jon Cartwright delineates the difference between subsidized, income-restricted housing (Capital A) which often requires extensive supportive infrastructure, and market-driven housing affordability (lowercase a), which relies on zoning reforms, density bonuses, and policy updates like Austin’s HOME ordinance.

Deep Sustainability & Building Science: Trey Farmer outlines the integration of Passive House standards, certified through his role as a Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC). Forge Craft’s Healthy Home Studio applies advanced building science—such as energy modeling, embodied carbon accounting, and non-toxic material selections—across various construction types ranging from mass timber (CLT) to Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF).

Policy Advocacy in Practice: As Chair of the Austin Housing Coalition, John Cartwright emphasizes that architectural responsibility extends beyond construction into long-term municipal policy, advocating for changes in code, land availability, and density to unlock long-term housing viability.

Navigating Market Inertia: The partners discuss structural barriers to innovation in central Texas, including reliance on traditional stick-built construction, developer risk aversion, and complex urban lot constraints that present challenges to off-site modular prefabricated systems.

Related Links & Resources

  • Forge Craft Architecture Studio — Explore the official website and portfolio of Forge Craft Architecture, featuring their Healthy Home and Affordable Housing studios.
  • Foundation Communities — Learn about the Austin-based non-profit developer behind supportive housing projects like Bluebonnet Studios.
  • Passive House Institute US (Phius) — Discover passive building standards, energy-efficient building science principles, and consultant certifications.
  • Parsons Healthy Materials Lab — Access research and guidelines on non-toxic, healthy building materials and indoor air quality.
  • Austin Housing Coalition — Read about policy initiatives, local advocacy, and affordable housing strategies in Central Texas.

CXD September 2026 Icon Registry | 686 | Paul Murdoch Architects: Designing sacred Ground, The Architecture of Memory at the Flight 93 National Memorial

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A Common Field Forever: Architect Paul Murdoch on the Architecture of Remembrance at the Flight 93 National Memorial. Convo By Design Icon Registry is presented by Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home.

In this special episode timed for the anniversary of September 11th, I sit down with architect Paul Murdoch to explore the profound responsibility of designing a national place of remembrance. Murdoch’s firm was selected from more than 1,100 international entries to create the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania—a 2,200-acre site honoring the 40 passengers and crew members who fought back against highjackers on 9/11.

We discuss the critical evolution from initial, spontaneous outpourings of grief—like roadside fences lined with personal tributes—to permanent architectural expressions built to sustain historical weight across generations. Murdoch walks me through the spatial narrative of the park, explaining how the landscape itself carries the scale of heroism. From the Wall of Names positioned directly along the plane’s flight path to the central field of honor, the integrated Visitor Center, and the 93-foot-tall Tower of Voices housing 40 wind chimes, Murdoch reveals how intentional editing, spatial restraint, and environmental integration can turn a site of immense tragedy into a timeless sanctuary of collective healing.

  • The Transition of Memorialization: Murdoch contrasts the initial, intense emotional outpouring of temporary tributes—such as the murals that emerged worldwide following Kobe Bryant’s tragic death or the original chain-link fence aggregated with personal items in Pennsylvania—with the profound challenge of designing a permanent national memorial. A lasting monument must suspend that raw, immediate grief just enough to preserve its historical weight for future generations, while still embedding emotional resonance into its core.
  • Defining Heroes, Not Victims: In developing the narrative framework, Murdoch notes a defining stance held by the families of the passengers and crew: they do not refer to their lost loved ones as victims, but as heroes. The design was tasked with capturing the collective, democratic action of forty everyday citizens who voted to fight back in real-time.
  • The Scale of a Memorial Landscape: Encompassing 2,200 acres (roughly two and a half times the size of New York’s Central Park), the site’s vast rural setting allowed the design team to utilize the geography itself rather than relying on heavy architectural objects. Murdoch emphasizes that a standard monument would have been completely dwarfed by the environment, forcing them to reshape the land itself to project a sense of heroism.
  • The Blueprint of Remembrance:
    • The Crash Site & Hemlock Grove: The final resting place remains a restricted, sacred zone. The public is brought to the very edge, where a ceremonial gate opens exclusively on September 11th alongside a wall of 40 marble slabs engraved with the heroes’ names, tracking the plane’s precise flight path.
    • The Field of Honor: Utilizing a quote originally written on a quilt by an LAFD captain before it was officially adopted into the competition brief (“A common field one day, a field of honor forever”), a sweeping circular walkway traces the rim of what was once an open-pit coal mine.
    • The Tower of Voices: Standing 93 feet tall near the park’s main highway entrance, this soaring vertical structure acts as both a gateway landmark and an acoustic monument, housing 40 unique wind chimes to honor the final memories of those who used their voices to connect with loved ones from the sky.
  • The Power of the Creative Edit: Murdoch stresses the rigorous testing required to distill the memorial to its absolute essence. By choosing to exclude a heavy narrative presence from the landscape, the Visitor Center became the designated home for storytelling. Murdoch restricted the center’s layout to a single space with five double-sided walls, explicitly fighting against a cluttered, “antique store” aesthetic or an insular “black box” exhibit style, opting instead for natural light that shifts with the moods of the surrounding environment.
  • Navigating Bureaucracy with Purpose: Building a brand-new national park from scratch required aligning a massive ecosystem of stakeholders, including the Federal Advisory Commission, the Families of Flight 93, the National Park Service, and environmental entities like the Army Corps of Engineers. Murdoch shares how the firm maintained the integrity of its design vision when confronted with institutional frameworks and standardized federal infrastructure plans.

Applicable Elements & Links

Industry Experts on How Fires, Technology, and Shifting Social Agenda are Redefining the “strength” of Southern California Architecture | 661 | Featuring Anthony Poon, Ben Ballentine & Luis Murillo

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In the wake of the devastating January 2025 fires, the architectural community in Southern California is facing a reckoning. The conversation at the recent panel I hosted at Ganahl Lumber in Torrance made one thing clear: the old metrics of “durability” are no longer enough. The industry is moving toward a philosophy of resilience.

For Anthony Poon of Poon Design and Ben Ballentine of Ballaetine Architects, the challenge lies in balancing this need for hardened structures with the fundamental human desire for beauty and light. As Poon noted, a building could be made entirely fireproof, but if it ends up looking like a “bomb shelter,” the architecture has failed its purpose. The goal is now “kinetic” and “resourceful” design—structures that don’t just survive a disaster but facilitate the recovery of the families within them.

The panel also addressed the friction between rapid rebuilding and thoughtful design. With developers racing to fill the housing shortage by “plopping down” identical units, Luis Murillo of LMG Architecture Studio raised concerns about the loss of neighborhood character. Meanwhile, Jay Williams of TimberTech highlighted how material science—blending the aesthetics of natural wood with the fire-rated performance of advanced PVC and fiber cement—is bridging the gap between safety and style.

Ultimately, the consensus was that technology, from AI-driven detailing to digital twin visualizations, is shrinking the production timeline but cannot replace the human element. The architect’s role is evolving from a pure designer into a “civic leader” and “marriage counselor,” navigating a world where clients are armed with TikTok-sourced ideas and a desperate need for a sense of home in an increasingly volatile environment.

Key Concepts

  • Resilience vs. Strength: The shift from making buildings “unbreakable” to making them “recoverable” and resourceful after a cataclysm.
  • The “Bomb Shelter” Dilemma: The struggle to meet strict fire and safety codes (like hardening the building envelope) without sacrificing natural light and aesthetic appeal.
  • Material Science Innovation: The rise of high-performance composites (James Hardie/TimberTech) that offer Class A fire ratings while mimicking the warmth of natural materials.
  • Architectural Accountability: The increasing need for architects to provide highly specific, litigious-level detailing due to shifting contractor liabilities.
  • The AI Influence: How AI is revolutionizing visualization and R&D, while simultaneously creating “educated but misinformed” clients.
  • Rebuilding Ethics: The tension between the speed of rebuilding in burn areas and the opportunity to rethink density and multifamily housing.

WestEdge Wednesday Part Ten | 652 | Green Shoots: Evolving Materials, Innovative Mindsets

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Innovation Under Pressure: Prefab, Modular, and the Future of Resilient Design Under Pressure. Architecture is evolving faster than ever, driven by natural disasters, technology, and client expectations—but how do designers balance innovation with risk, regulation, and lifestyle priorities? Josh Cooperman hosts an unfiltered conversation with Drew Davis, Brian Pinkett, Aaron Neubert, and Joseph Dangaran about prefabrication, modular construction, client programming, and the challenges of rebuilding communities in fire- and flood-prone regions. From the Palisades to Paris, they explore how architecture must adapt—or risk falling behind.

1. Introduction and Context

  • Host introduction: Josh Cooperman, Convo By Design.
  • Acknowledgements: Kim Gordon Designs (venue), Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home (sponsor and industry supporter).
  • Why the discussion matters: natural disasters as a case study in architecture’s evolving role.
  • Personal anecdote: Josh’s wildfire experience in 1983 highlighting the urgency of resilient design.

2. Guest Introductions

  • Drew Davis, Partner, Kligerman Architecture & Design, NYC – Residential expertise nationwide.
  • Brian Pinkett, Principal, Landry Design Group – High-end, global custom homes, with focus on innovation and sustainability.
  • Aaron Neubert, Principal, Annex – Residential and hospitality projects in LA & Las Vegas.
  • Joseph Dangaran, Founding Partner, Woods & Dangaran– West Coast single-family homes, high-end interiors.

3. Critical Thinking vs. Design Education

  • Discussion of Brian Pinkett’s insight: architecture school teaches critical thinking, not design itself.
  • How critical thinking shapes the conversation about innovation and client expectations.
  • The influence of NIMBYism and cultural resistance on design risk-taking.

4. Client Literacy and Innovation

  • How clients’ exposure to Instagram, travel, and boutique experiences shapes design expectations.
  • Balancing aspirational ideas with practical constraints: budget, schedule, site conditions.
  • Scenario-based design and programming as a tool to understand lifestyle priorities.

5. Prefabrication and Modular Construction

  • Defining terms: prefabrication vs. modular, and their misconceptions in high-end architecture.
  • Historical examples: Eiffel Tower (prefabricated in 1889), Wallace Neff bubble homes.
  • Case studies: past Malibu prefab project, Arts District hotel project.
  • Discussion of benefits (speed, quality, cost) and challenges (flexibility, client acceptance, perception).

6. Lifestyle vs. Shelter in Rebuilds

  • How trauma and loss after disasters impact client priorities.
  • The tension between rebuilding for necessity vs. recreating lifestyle and memory.
  • Temporary housing solutions and lessons from disaster response (Shigeru Ban, Fresno pre-approved plans).

7. The Role of Regulation in Innovation

  • Flood, fire, and safety regulations: both barriers and catalysts for creativity.
  • Discussion of over-regulation and its impact on rebuilding efficiency, particularly in high-demand areas like Pacific Palisades.

8. The Future of Architectural Innovation

  • Emerging materials, prefabrication, and modular design for high-end custom homes.
  • How technology enables flexibility and quality at scale.
  • The challenge of evolving architectural vernacular to reflect contemporary technology.
  • The importance of balancing client desires, regulatory frameworks, and architectural creativity.

9. Closing Thoughts

  • Necessity drives invention, but adaptation and education are key.
  • Designers’ role in guiding clients through uncertainty and risk.
  • Encouragement to rethink traditional paradigms: innovation in practice, materials, and process.

10. Callouts / Quotes for Social Media

  • “Innovation isn’t about change for change’s sake—it’s about solving the problem you didn’t know existed.” – Brian Pinkett
  • “Prefabrication isn’t a compromise. It’s a new way to design for speed, quality, and scale.” – Aaron Neubert
  • “The goal isn’t just shelter. The goal is lifestyle.” – Joseph Dangaran

11. Links & References

WestEdge Design Fair Part Nine | 650 | Wellness by Design: Creating Interiors the Support Mind & Body

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When interiors meet intention: a dynamic panel on how color theory, holistic living, sustainable materials, and design thinking come together to redefine residential spaces for 2025 and beyond.

Sherwin Williams set out to cover Earth with beautiful colors over 150 years ago. 1866, Henry Sherwin and Edward Williams founded the company in Cleveland, Ohio, on a mission really. And the result is a company dedicated to delivery of the  best in paints, coatings and related products to discerning clients all over the world. That dedication was evident from the start with the hiring of Percy Neyman, the very first chemist employed by an American paint manufacturer. Sherwin Williams continues to set the bar high and provide the design community with the essential tools to create superior projects. Sherwin Williams is commitment to supporting the design community, which is why they sponsor programs, like this one. They are also dedicated to a betterment philosophical approach which is why they selected ‘wellness” as the topic for this talk.Thank you Sherwin Williams for your tireless support.

In this timely conversation, experts from across interior design and sustainable living explore what it means to design for wellness in 2025. Moderated by Sue Wadden and Ashlynn Bourque of Sherwin-Williams, the panel features voices from:

  • Jeanne Chung (Cozy, Stylish, Chic) — known for crafting spaces that blend comfort, style, and emotional balance.
  • Julee Ireland (Julee Ireland Design Studio) — bringing a refined, intentional aesthetic rooted in longevity and livable elegance.
  • Greg Roth (CarbonShack) — spotlighting eco-conscious material sourcing, sustainable practices, and climate-aligned living environments.

Together they examine how interior design can be a catalyst for holistic living — from color palettes that promote calm and emotional balance, to spatial planning that supports aging in place, to circadian lighting and neurodiversity-friendly layouts. The discussion underscores a rising trend: residential interiors inspired by hospitality, wellness, and sustainability principles.

Listeners will come away with fresh ideas on turning their homes into future-proof sanctuaries — design-forward, earth-conscious, and emotionally attuned.

  • Health span-focused design: Designing spaces that help residents live longer, healthier lives at home.
  • Aging in place: Home layouts that accommodate long-term functionality and wellness.
  • Home gyms, saunas, cold plunges: Integrating spa-level wellness amenities in private residences.
  • Dual kitchens: Inspired by Italian family homes for multigenerational living.
  • Collaboration with architects: Designers as integral contributors to maximize natural light and spatial flow.
  • VR visualization: Helping clients experience proportion, scale, and sightlines before construction.
  • Problem-solving as designers: Addressing unforeseen construction issues creatively while maintaining aesthetics.
  • Circadian lighting: Lighting systems (e.g., Lutron Ketra) that mimic natural light patterns to support sleep and productivity.
  • Plant-based fabrics (hemp, bamboo, kelp): Sustainable, high-performance materials.
  • Evidence-based color design: Physiological effects of color on multigenerational inhabitants.
  • Neurodiverse design considerations: Minimizing overstimulation in homes for ADHD, dementia, or sensory sensitivity.
  • Hospitality influence on residential design: Bringing experiences from wellness hotels into private homes.
  • Storytelling & provenance: Educating clients about material sourcing and sustainable practices.
  • Sustainability education: Visiting factories, quarries, and trade shows to understand materials and processes.

Relevant Web Links

  • Lutron Ketra Lighting: https://www.lutron.com/en-US/Products/Pages/WholeHome/ketra/overview.aspx
  • Round Top Market (antiques & sustainability): https://roundtoptexasantiques.com
  • Hemp & sustainable fabrics: https://www.hemp-trade.com

WestEdge Wednesday Part Six | 643 | Rebuilding LA: Resilience, Innovation and Design for the Future

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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.

WestEdge Wednesday Part Five | 641 | Inspired by Nature: Exterior Spaces Built to Last

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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.

WestEdge Wednesday Part Four | 639 | Designing for Disaster: Intelligent Design for a Resilient Southern California

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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.

Throughout the discussion, key themes emerge:

  • Holistic resilience (materials, landscape, climate risk, embers, structural vulnerabilities)
  • Community cohesion vs. community erosion
  • 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)

Adam Hunter — Moderator
https://adamhunterinc.com

Richard Manion, Architect

Architecture for the 21st Century

Sarah Malek Barney – Band Design
https://www.bandd.com

Stacy Munich – Stacy Munich Interiors
https://www.stacymunichinteriors.com

Todd Paolillo – CCA Design Group
https://www.ccadesigngroup.com

Marcella Oliver – USGBC California
https://www.usgbc.org
(Net Zero Accelerator) https://netzeroaccelerator.org

I. Opening Context

  • Adam Hunter describes his own displacement in the Palisades fires
  • Acknowledgment of community members who lost homes and businesses

II. Materiality & Rebuilding After Fire

  • Shortcut culture in residential construction (Sarah)
  • Fire-resistant materials, embers, and construction techniques (Richard)
  • The “flamethrower” dynamic of the 2025 event

III. Community-Scale Impacts

  • Rebuilding as a multi-block, multi-stakeholder challenge (Marcella)
  • Community cohesion among displaced residents (Stacy)
  • Education gaps for homeowners suddenly navigating design/architectural choices

IV. Leadership & Coordination

  • Who should be leading discussions?
  • The role of USGBC California and the Net Zero Accelerator (Marcella)
  • Design community mobilization & town halls (Todd)

V. Economics, Insurance & Rebuilding Pathways

  • Underinsurance and cost prohibitions (Stacy)
  • Prefab/precision-built options
  • Avoiding both tract-home rebuilding and ultra-luxury exclusivity (Richard, Adam)

VI. Visualization & Future Planning

  • Digital twins for community workshops
  • Landscape resilience
  • Neighborhood-scale guidelines

VII. Psychological & Long-Term Impacts

  • Rebuilding fatigue
  • Multi-year rebuilding timeline (10+ years)
  • Keeping optimism and community support alive (Adam)

WestEdge Wednesday Part One | 631 | Home Again: How the Palisades is Reclaiming its Future

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Since areas of Los Angeles, entire communities burned to the ground in January, 2025, the world around us has jumped in with opinions on how to rebuild.  Moderated by: Allison Holdorff Polhill, LAUSDFeaturing: Reza Akef, Polaris Homes; Sue Kohl, Pacific Palisades Community Council; Ron Marome, Fleetwood Windows and Doors; Rob Jernigan, Clayco; May Sung, SUBU Design Architecture; and Matt Talley , AECOM I made a promise to those in attendance that I would do my homework and find resources, phone numbers, contacts… And I have. It’s voluminous but you will find many of these links in the show notes of this episode. I will also continue to dig and share my findings on Instagram so please follow along. Convo X Design and email me if you would like more information and resource contacts. Convo By Design at Outlook dot com. Key Agencies & Contacts for Rebuild / Recovery in Pacific Palisades 1. City of Los Angeles Los Angeles City Planning Palisades Rebuild & Recovery Team — Email: Planning.PalisadesRebuild@lacity.org City Planning+1 One‑Stop Rebuilding Center (city permit center): 1828 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025 City Planning+1 Departments represented at the One‑Stop: LADBS (Building & Safety) City Planning Bureau of Engineering (BOE) City Planning StreetsLA / Urban Forestry City Planning LADWP (Water & Power) City Planning LADOT (Transportation) City Planning LAFD (Fire Department) City Planning LA Housing Department (LAHD) City Planning LA Sanitation and Environment (LASAN) City Planning Bureau of Contract Administration (BCA) City Planning SoCalGas (utility) City Planning Los Angeles Emergency Management Department For recovery inquiries: EmergencyUpdates@LACity.org L.A. Emergency Management Their 2025 Wildfire Recovery page includes resources for disaster‑rebuild. L.A. Emergency Management Mayor’s Office – Resilient Rebuild Advisory Committee Under Emergency Executive Order 5 (2025), a Resilient Rebuild Advisory Committee was established. Los Angeles Mayor’s Office 2. Los Angeles County (for areas in the County jurisdiction) LA County Recovers Main Recovery Website: recovery.lacounty.gov LA County Recovers Public Works Hotline (for rebuilding / debris): 844‑347‑3332 LA County Recovers+1 Fire Debris Removal Permit: call 888‑479‑7328 for fire debris removal help. LA County Recovers LA County Public Works – Building & Safety Contact for building, grading, and drainage issues: via their offices. LA County Public Works Geotechnical & Materials Engineering (soils, geology): (626) 458‑4925 LA County Public Works Fire Prevention (County Fire): LACoFD Headquarters (323) 890‑4132 LA County Public Works LA County Department of Regional Planning Zoning, planning, rebuilding permitting: (213) 974‑6411 LA County Public Works The “Road to Rebuilding” program provides one-on-one concierge appointments (Public Works / Planning / Fire / Public Health) for Palisades rebuilding. LA County Public Works LA County Environmental Health For septic system (onsite wastewater) approvals: contact the Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) team via Public Health. LA County Public Works Water “Will‑Serve” letter (potable water) – Drinking Water Program: required for some rebuilds. LA County Public Works LA County Assessor’s Office For tax reassessment after fire damage (“Misfortune & Calamity”): call (213) 974‑8658. LA County Recovers State / Federal Agencies California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) As a major state-level emergency agency, they coordinate recovery resources. (Generic contact: via caloes.ca.gov) Gather ADU Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) For disaster assistance (debris removal, housing, financial help): contact FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 for general assistance. Gather ADU U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (for debris removal specifically): their LA mission office is reachable; per FEMA, call center 213‑308‑8305. FEMA Recommended Approach / Strategy Start at the One‑Stop Rebuilding Center (LA City or County as applicable) — this gives you a “concierge” experience with multiple departments in one place. Follow up with direct department emails (e.g., Planning, Public Works) for specialized issues (soils, septic, fire‑safety). Use FEMA / CalOES early — get registered for federal/state disaster relief. Engage community‑based networks (ENLA, local recovery groups) — they often have the most up-to-date, local practical advice. Document everything — keep track of all contacts, permit numbers, and correspondence. Additional Information will be posted to the Convo By Design website. Convo By Design is a platform designed to share and promote the ideas of those shaping design and architecture today. We provide inspiration to the design and architecture community. In constant pursuit of sublime design. ©2013-2026 https://www.convobydesign.com

Design After Disruption | 630 | How We Live Now—and Why Process Matters More Than Ever LIVE From Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home

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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.