for In response to the devastating recent fires in the Los Angeles region, Architects across California have stepped forward to support the rebuilding process through volunteer and pro bono work. As these efforts grow, so does the importance of understanding the legal and ethical responsibilities that come with them.
This webinar, a joint initiative by AIA Pasadena & Foothill and AIA California, is designed to address the professional liability risks and obligations Architects face when providing voluntary services after a disaster.
AIA California has compiled fire-response webinars and events on their page for all of the southern California chapters. Please visit their page for a comprehensive calendar and event archive @AIA California
Also, check LA County Recovers for upcoming workshops for homeowners and professionals.
PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES
ARCHISPEAK Podcast with Jessica Orlando, Vice President and President-Elect of the AIA Pasadena Foothill chapter
Jessica shares how the AIA’s volunteer-led “Ask an Architect” initiative is connecting displaced residents with licensed professionals to help guide them through the overwhelming process of rebuilding—many for the first time.
We discuss the powerful role architects can play in disaster response, the challenges of balancing speed with resilience in permitting and design, and the implications of relaxed regulations in the name of urgency. Jessica also walks us through what’s happening on the ground, including policy shifts, modular and prefab strategies, bulk material purchasing efforts, and the surprising silver linings some homeowners are finding in being able to reimagine what “home” means.
This conversation highlights the profession’s unique ability to lead with empathy, share knowledge, and organize in the face of crisis—and why this moment is an opportunity for all of us to do better, together.
AIA California published an article discussing the impacts of wildfires in California and the importance of hardening both the site and structure to limit destruction. The piece emphasizes that wildfires create significant financial burdens and highlights strategies to enhance resilience.
An article in Architectural Record discusses the importance of hardening homes against fire in tandem with other measures, most critically, defensible space. It emphasizes that while hardening homes is essential, it must be complemented by other strategies to effectively mitigate wildfire risks.
Created by the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains, along with a diverse steering committee of experts, this project focuses on offering solutions to improve resilience and resource conservation values, and resistance of structures to wildfire loss for developed properties in the SMMNRA by improving management by homeowners of their defensible space zone. The site has an additional “Resources” tab for more detailed information and links to associated agencies.
To volunteer with the AIAPF Chapter in support of the wildfire response efforts, Click here to sign up.
To join our mailing list for rebuilding-related efforts >Sign up.
For local chapter inquiries please email: wildfiresupport@aiapf.org.
The AIAPF continues to offer free guidance and architectural support to homeowners through our Ask an Architect program. If you are willing to volunteer your time to help homeowners navigate the rebuilding process, we will provide you with up-to-date information and resources that you can use along with your professional knowledge to answer questions and point people in the right direction. Sign up here to register for the on-call architects list.
Donating your time
If you are part of the AEC Community and would like to offer pro bono services, you can reach out toHelp Draw Together.
LA County has just launched its Building Plan Self-Certification Program - a pilot program to help streamline plan review and speed up the rebuild process for homes in unincorporated LA County that were damaged or destroyed in the Eaton and Palisades Fires.
Under the program, California-licensed architects and engineers who register for the program will be able to self-certify that their building complies with the LA County Building Code, eliminating the need for a full building plan check review. Approval from other LA County Departments such as Regional Planning, Public Health and Fire will continue to be required prior to a building permit being issued.
Architects are helping communities rebuild and having the right tools in place is essential. Clear, reliable contract documents help everyone involved understand the scope of project delivery, and ensure property owners are protected from the start.
To support this effort, AIA Contract Documents has teamed up with AIA California to offer AIA contracts at a significantly reduced cost so that clients, communities, neighbors who lost homes, partially or fully, can more easily access them and benefit from their protections. See AIA California for more details.
2/20/25
Policy recommendations from AIAPF
The AIAPF Board has approved a policy memo regarding recent policy changes from LA County to provide guidance and suggestions on how to handle rebuilding. > See the memo here.
2/13/25
Advocacy efforts on behalf of Homeowners
AIA California has issued a request to Governor Newsom requesting a waiver to allow property owners to access copies of plans from a regulatory agency (building department) without explicit approval from the architect that drafted them. > Read the letter.
This site, from Bill Melby, FAIA, AIA California’s Disaster Network Chair, contains valuable information and a fire-hardening certification program, via the Institute for Business & Home Safety, an organization AIA works with. Click through, whether you are a member interested in certification, and learning opportunities on resilient design or share with homeowners as a resource. > Visit Wildfire Prepared
Get certified in building safety assessment
The Safety Assessment Program (SAP) utilizes volunteers and mutual aid resources to provide professional architects, engineers, and certified building inspectors with the necessary training to assist local governments in safety evaluation of the built environment in the aftermath of a disaster. It is administered by the Governor's Office of Emergency Services.
The AIAPF has hosted two SAP training events in 2025. Stay tuned for future training events.
Lessons from Lahaina
Lessons learned about the realities of the recovery process from those with boots on the ground in Maui.
Presenters: AIA MAUI Past President David Sellers of Hawaii Off-grid (HIOG), AIA MAUI Current President Jeremy Stoddart of Pili Designs, AIA HONOLULU Executive VP Julia Fink, and AIA 2025 President-Elect Illya Azaroff, FAIA.
