AND SUSTAINABILITY DESIGN
The early 2025 Los Angeles County wildfires caused at least 29 deaths and destroyed 16,000 structures — with an initial estimated cost of more than $50 billion.
Neal Payton, FAIA, FCNU, leads the Los
Angeles-based west coast office of Torti Gallas + Partners, an urban and
architectural design firm.
Long before the wildfires the firm was
transforming urban and suburban spaces with pedestrian-friendly environments
with transit-oriented development and public housing renewal.
“The LA fires saw a significant number
of commercial properties destroyed, including 135 small apartment buildings and
145 retail buildings.
About 75 percent of the multifamily
buildings destroyed or damaged contained 20 units or less and averaged 70 years
of age.
Most of them were owned by individuals
or local investors and might rightfully be labeled as missing middle housing,
also known as workforce housing,” Payton said.
“This dispersed and finely grained
ownership pattern poses both a challenge to the redevelopment of these
fire-damaged areas but also provides an opportunity.”
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