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Last Wednesday, AIA|LA hosted a virtual meeting to discuss the immediate and long-term challenges posed by the recent wildfires. The turnout was extraordinary—over 850 architects, designers, and allied professionals joined the conversation. The energy, ideas, and sheer determination to make a difference were palpable.
Since then, more than 345 individuals have stepped forward to join AIA|LA’s Wildfire Disaster Task Force. This overwhelming response is a testament to the power of our community and its unwavering commitment to building a better, more resilient Los Angeles.
We are deeply moved by the outpouring of support. Your collective expertise, vision, and dedication represent the very best of what architects and designers bring to the table in times of crisis.
Now the work begins. Over the next few days, we’ll be meeting with leaders from AIA California, AIA Pasadena, AIA San Fernando Valley, and the AIA|LA Board, alongside task-force leaders Mohamed Sharif, AIA, and Greg Kochanowski, AIA, ASLA. Together, we’ll define the mission, establish objectives, and outline the specific deliverables needed to tackle the challenges ahead.
Our approach will focus on three key phases:
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Immediate: Supporting first responders and communities with critical resources and expertise.
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Mid-Term: Laying the groundwork for thoughtful, sustainable rebuilding strategies.
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Long-Term: Developing policies and design innovations to create a more fire-resilient Los Angeles.
This is a monumental effort, and we recognize that no one organization or individual can do it alone. Our goal is to harness the power of collaboration—leveraging the amazing initiatives already underway, amplifying our collective voice, and integrating everyone’s contributions into a unified response.
Please make plans to attend any of these upcoming programs, which will help synthesize our collective response:
Lessons from Maui: What we learned in Lahaina
Thursday, January 23 (4:00 - 5:00pm)
RSVP HERE
Safety Assessment Program (SAP) Training
Saturday, January 25 (9:00am - 3:00pm)
RSVP HERE
The Heart of LA: Memory, Resilience and the Road to Recovery
Saturday, January 25 (12:00pm - 2:00pm)
RSVP HERE
AIA California Webinar: Component Disaster Response Toolkit
Tuesday, February 4, (11am-12pm)
RSVP HERE
As we take our next steps, we want to thank each of you for your dedication. Together, we can transform this moment of crisis into an opportunity to reimagine and rebuild a stronger, more resilient Los Angeles.
Stay tuned—there’s much more to come.
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