The ASK AN ARCHITECT Program

We are sharing a call for our Ask an Architect program, which matches community members impacted by the LA Wildfires to licensed architects to ask their most pressing questions about recovery and rebuilding. This is a free service that is completely volunteer-run, and we need your help!

If you are licensed in CA and are interested in supporting, please SIGN UP HERE.   You can review our training materials HERE as well. We are continuously updating this resource and welcome your input. We are also looking for more support on the Palisades specifics, as our team began with a focus on the Eaton fire.  We will be hosting a training session as well to review these materials and will share the invitation upon your sign-up.

AIAPF is offering free, one-on-one, no-obligation consultations through our “Ask an Architect” program. Architects will be available to provide expert guidance, resources, and community support as we navigate the rebuilding process.

If you are a neighbor that has been impacted by the fires and would like to further connect with volunteer architects, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

ARCHITECTS, THE CITY NEEDS YOU!

Los Angeles, a city where creativity has always been a driving force, is at a critical juncture. Like a tinderbox ignited by the Santa Ana winds of change, it faces a complex convergence of challenges: wildfires, economic pressures, and the urgent need for a more resilient and equitable future. The “acrid pungency” of these challenges is palpable, but it’s in this very moment that architects are called to lead.

While the architecture profession is evolving, this isn’t a time for hesitation. It’s a time for architects to step forward and shape the narrative. We are not just designers; we are problem-solvers, innovators, and agents of change.

Drawing inspiration from the creative energy of Los Angeles and Martin Filler’s insights on “Eden on Fire,” we must embrace our role as civic leaders. We must fuse innovative design with policy advocacy and data-driven solutions to create a future where Los Angeles flourishes.

Our immediate purpose is to ensure the health and strength of the architecture profession, empowering architects to take ownership, earn recognition, and secure a prominent position at the decision-making table. By fostering stronger civic engagement, we can reclaim our role as city leaders, uniting multidisciplinary experts to create a more vibrant and inspiring urban landscape.

If the architecture profession is strong and vital, it can then have the capacity to deliver the uplifting, healthy, and beautiful experiences that are so essential to our communities. Let’s embrace this challenge, elevate our profession, and deliver a brighter future for Los Angeles.

AIA in CALIFORNIA EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

The following programs and meetings will help architects gain access and insight into best-practices with fire resilient design.  Please review the schedule below and make plans to join as many of these sessions as you have time to attend.

Architects: Your Expertise is Needed Now!

The recent wildfires have devastated our communities, and the need for skilled architects to guide the rebuilding process is more critical than ever. You can make a direct impact right now.

By registering with both the City of Los Angeles and Los Angeles County, you’ll become a vital resource for homeowners seeking to rebuild their lives. Your expertise will help streamline the process, ensuring safe, resilient, and beautiful new homes and communities.

Take Action Today:

• Register with the City of Los Angeles Burea of Contract Administration: [CLICK HERE]
• Register with Los Angeles County Public Works: [CLICK HERE]

Your registration will help connect you with directly with homeowners who need your skills. Be a part of the solution. Rebuild with us.

DO YOU HAVE IDEAS FOR IMPROVING THE REBUILDING PROCESS? Share your valuable insights with LA County Public Works to help shape critical rebuilding policies: [CLICK HERE]

For more context on the County’s initiatives, please review the  Eaton & Palisades Fire Recovery webpage.

Together, we can create a stronger, more resilient Los Angeles.

Architects: Help Shape the Future of LA Permitting!

The City of Los Angeles needs your expertise to improve the BuildLA permitting portal. Your feedback will directly impact the functionality and user experience of this critical tool for architects and the entire building community.

Take Action Now:

1. Log in to the BuildLA Customer Portal: https://buildlacore.lacity.org/customerportal
2. Explore the portal’s features: Create projects, add team members, link permits and services.
3. Provide your feedback: Use the “Submit Feedback” link under “Help” within the portal to share your insights on the portal’s functionality, user-friendliness, and any areas for improvement.

Your feedback is crucial for:

• Streamlining the permitting process: Help make the process more efficient and intuitive for everyone.
• Improving collaboration: Enhance the portal’s ability to support teamwork and communication.
• Enhancing the user experience: Ensure the portal is user-friendly and meets the needs of architects and other building professionals.

Don’t miss this opportunity to shape the future of permitting in Los Angeles. Your input will help create a more efficient and effective system for all.

Questions or recommendations? Contact Will Wright and/or Sonia Nanda – BuildLA Sr. Project Manager at the City of Los Angeles..

Thank you for your valuable contribution!

The AIA LA & LACP Professional Volunteer Program (PVP)

Architects & designers passionate about improving the design quality of newly proposed projects throughout the City of Los Angeles are encouraged to participate in the Professional Volunteer Program (PVP), which is a collaborative design review program organized by AIA LA & Los Angeles City Planning (LACP)’s Urban Design Studio.

This year we will be coordinating thirty-one virtual design review sessions, which will serve as opportunities for architects and designers to help the Los Angeles City Planning’s Urban Design Studio critically review upcoming projects throughout our City.

March 11 (10am)
March 18 (10am)
April 1 (10am)
April 8 (10am)

RSVP HERE (virtual on zoom)

Design Review Sessions w/ LACP Urban Design Studio 2025

UNPLAN LA_Transitional Height

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Will Wright, Hon. AIA|LA
Director, Government & Public Affairs
t: 213.639.0764
e: will@aialosangeles.org
www.aialosangeles.org