In January 2025 we watched as whole communities were burned, important structures were lost, and thousands were impacted by the devastation and displacement. We also saw people across the region mobilize, offering on-the-ground assistance and support. In our own community, thousands of architects and design professionals want to step in and help with the recovery and rebuilding process. The AIA in CALIFORNIA is a passionate group of members and we are creating a framework that can harness and nurture that passion, transforming it into action, efficiently, and reducing duplication of efforts amongst chapters and members, so that we can best support the communities we serve, and live in.

We recognize the sheer size of this task, the myriad of government agencies, relief organizations, and collateral organizations – who all want to help – and to that end, brought all the local AIA components together to develop a plan to move AIA’s coordinated disaster assistance efforts forward.

Stemming from that meeting, is a critical ACTION PLAN that requires us to “dig in” to execute. Below is a glimpse of what’s underway, in terms of coordinated actions for components, and how you can help.

On behalf of the thousands of disaster victims, the communities you serve, and the architectural profession in California – THANK YOU for the outpouring of support, offers of assistance, and for stepping up and leading AIA’s response. This is the time to show what architects can do and the AIA in CALIFORNIA is organized to help coordinate this big task.

Here’s where we are:

1. Advocacy
Letter to Governor Newsom urging the emergency release of architectural plans to owners of properties impacted by the fires to assist with insurance claims, planning for restoration and rebuilding, permitting and coding compliance. (For full body of letter, click here.)
AIA California

Read about this successful action and Governor Newsom’s positive response here.

2. Member Education
Understanding the Local Landscape and How You Can Help – Webinar – Thursday, 03.13.25 12N – 1:00P
An education session about recovery/rebuilding efforts for members including policy changes; process and timeline; our positions about each issue.
Program: AIA Los Angeles and AIA California.

3. Member Education
“‘Nothing Without Us… is for Us.’ Altadena, from the Ground Up.”
Steven Lewis, FAIA, NOMAC in conversation with fellow architectural leaders and Altadena residents – Date TBD.

4. Regional Development
Summary of all policy changes enacted by local jurisdictions governing areas impacted by the Southern California fires (LA County Board of Supervisors, City of Los Angeles, City of Pasadena).
AIA California with AIA Long Beach/South Bay + AIA Los Angeles

Briefing on policy changes as of 02.07.25 from Pacific Crest Consultants (PCC)
Briefing on policy updates as of 02.14.25 from Kimerlina Whettam & Associates (KWA)
Read suggested Policy Changes from KWA Here

5. Barriers to Permitting and Building Standards Code Provisions
Initiated a conversation with the California Department of Housing and Community Development to offer AIA California assistance in two key areas related Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-4-25*.

a. Identifying Permitting Barriers: offer assistance identifying state permitting requirements that may unduly impede rebuilding efforts.
b. Reviewing Building Standards Code Provisions: can help identify specific provisions that could be suspended to expedite recovery efforts without compromising safety, resilience, or sustainability.

* Newsom’s Executive Order N-4-25 ordered relevant departments to within 30 days, provide a report to the Governor identifying other state permitting requirements that may unduly impede efforts to rebuild properties or facilities destroyed as a result of this emergency. These agencies are tasked with updating the report every 60 days, as recovery and rebuilding efforts proceed, to identify additional permitting barriers for potential suspension.

Here’s where we’re going:

1. Member Support
a. Volunteer coordination across the region – if you already have volunteered, THANK YOU! If you want to help – click here.
b. Financial support – distributing funds to architects impacted by disasters.

2. Advocacy
Coordinate with allied organizations in California.

3. Education
a. Public facing resources about rebuilding process, value of using an architect.
b. Community workshops.
c. Wildfire Prepared program. 
This site, from Bill Melby, FAIA, California’s Disaster Network Chair, contains valuable information and a fire-hardening certification program, via the Institute for Business & Home Safety, 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.

5. Guiding Principals: What We Believe
AIA Los Angeles + AIA Pasadena & Foothill

6. Clients: Resource Document for Clients
AIA Pasadena & Foothill

7. Communications
Social media campaign providing homeowners with actionable information.

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