As an architect specializing in single-family residences throughout the Los Angeles area, I’ve witnessed firsthand how urban disasters fundamentally reshape communities and building practices.
Just as the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 led to then-revolutionary changes in building codes and urban design, the recent Los Angeles wildfires have exposed critical vulnerabilities in our current approach to residential construction.
My firm, IR Architects, designed nine homes from Pacific Palisades to Malibu in the current burn zone.
As of January 15, 2025, eight of these homes are still standing, a testament to our good luck, yes, but also to the effectiveness of the fire-resistant design strategies we employ in our work.
This experience has given me distinct insights into how Los Angeles can improve its fire preparedness in residential communities. It’s time for the city to learn from these events and implement meaningful changes.
Changes to implement
• Balance community safety with environmental protections. While well intentioned, current landscape modifications prioritized by code can inadvertently increase fire risks. Homeowners in burn areas should be granted greater latitude for brush clearing and tree removal to lessen vulnerability.
• Improve first-responder property access. Allowing wider driveways and strategic access points in high-risk areas could make the difference between saving and losing a home during a wildfire.
• Implement stricter enforcement. Fire department final approvals and follow-up inspections will ensure compliance with fire-safety standards. There’s often little follow-up to verify implementation, which creates a dangerous gap where fire safety measures can be overlooked or deliberately circumvented.
• Speed up fire department approvals. The current backlog for plan approvals is six to nine months, so the city needs to allocate more resources to expedite this process. Delays in approvals can lead to rushed implementations and potential safety compromises.
• Stop rotating building inspectors. The practice of rotating building inspectors across different neighborhoods is meant to prevent complacency, but results in a critical lack of nuanced, area-specific knowledge of hazards in difficult-to-build areas.
• Improve communication. Better coordination among different city departments (planning, fire, building) will address conflicting regulations that may compromise fire safety.
• Require upgraded windows. Once windows are blown out, fire has full access to the structure. Mandating higher-quality, fire-resistant windows in vulnerable areas could significantly improve a home’s chances of surviving a wildfire.
Long-term benefits
While these changes have economic implications, the long-term benefits in terms of safety and reduced property loss outweigh the initial costs. The city should consider offering incentives or funding assistance for retrofitting older homes to meet enhanced safety standards.
As a next step, I propose the formation of a task force comprising architects, fire safety-experts, builders, city planners and environmental specialists to conduct a comprehensive review of current fire-safety policies and to develop a strategic plan for implementation of these crucial changes.
Los Angeles can significantly enhance its fire preparedness by implementing these measures, protecting its residential communities, business districts, and natural environment. The city must act now to prevent future catastrophic losses and ensure the safety of its residents in the face of increasing wildfire threats.
Ignacio Rodriguez, AIA, is the chief executive of IR Architects, which specializes in custom coastal and hillside homes in the Los Angeles area. He is offering free consultations to those affected by the fires.
