California Rebuilds Results
to be Announced Nov. 4th
The design competition results will offer cost-effective climate mitigation and adaptation for Los Angeles communities.
Los Angeles, CA – As communities affected by the Los Angeles wildfires contend with the challenges of rebuilding, local leaders are re-examining the role of buildings in a climate emergency. The Blue Ribbon Commission on Climate Action and Fire-Safe Recovery, released in collaboration with UCLA and authored by community stakeholders, has recommended the Passive House building standard as key to rebuilding safely and sustainably. Thanks to the California Rebuilds Design Competition, local communities will soon be presented with a series of single-family Passive House designs, tailored made for Southern California.
The competition, held by The Passive House Network (PHN) and Passive House California (PHCA), sees Passive House buildings as being part of the climate solution, engaging in strategies to both adapt to and mitigate extreme weather events.
All entries were designed with the fire codes and zoning regulations of the affected area, and each one was designed with one of four style categories in mind: Craftsman, Spanish Colonial Revival, Mid-Century Modern, and Contemporary, all aesthetics commonly found in the communities impacted by the fire.
A winner will be named in each design category, but all qualifying entries will be collected and published in a catalog for designers and homeowners to look through as they consider their options for rebuilding.
“The recent wildfire devastation reminds us that rebuilding must go hand-in-hand with reimagining community and culture by creating homes that are safer, healthier, and more sustainable,” says DeShawn Samad, an Environmental Engineer from Los Angeles and former Altadena resident who served as one of the competition’s 10 jury members. “This competition represents an incredible opportunity to showcase how innovative, low-carbon design can strengthen both our communities and our climate future.”
Instead of relying on expensive and untested technology, the Passive House standard utilizes building science to ensure that the buildings themselves become the primary driver of comfort, efficiency, and safety. This comes in the form of climate-specific insulation levels, thermal-bridge-free connections, high-performance components, windows, and doors, and an airtight envelope. The result is a building that takes less energy to heat and cool, and an interior environment that’s protected from outside elements–including allergens and pollution, but also smoke and embers. It’s an ideal solution to the problems facing Los Angeles.
“The interest in building better is very evident in Los Angeles,” said Cyril Petit, Vice President of PHCA and Founder and CEO of CPHBA LLC. Cyril also served as one of the competition’s jury members. “Passive House can not only provide undeniable energy savings, but optimal air quality and a very appreciable living comfort. The icing on the cake is its fire resilience.”
In announcing the winners of the California Rebuilds Design Competition, PHN hopes to make the standard more accessible to those who are rebuilding their homes.
The Awards Ceremony will take place on November 4th at the AIA Center for Communities. It will include a panel discussion on fire-resilient homes, as well as drinks and light food. All are welcome to attend.
