Rebuilding homes — and a sense of safety — after the Palisades and Eaton fires. The January 2025 Palisades and Eaton fires reshaped whole neighborhoods of Los Angeles. For the families who lost homes in Pacific Palisades, Altadena, Malibu, and the surrounding communities, rebuilding is both a construction project and a deeply personal one. Millán Architect / Studio is here to help — with the architectural expertise to guide a complex rebuild from first sketch through final inspection, and the care to make the process feel steady along the way.

We live and work in Los Angeles. These are our neighbors, our friends, and our communities, and we are committed to their recovery for as long as it takes.

OUR COMMITMENT
In response to the January 2025 fires, our studio committed time and resources to the recovery effort. For homeowners affected by the fires, we offer free initial consultations, and reduced-fee or pro bono architectural support where scope and circumstances allow.

Recovery is not only a matter of permits and construction. It is the work of restoring safety, dignity, and a grounded sense of place. We approach every fire rebuild with that understanding — and we stay closely engaged with the evolving City and County standards that shape this work, so the families we serve can make informed decisions early, when those decisions matter most.

DESIGNING FOR RESILIENCE
A rebuild is a rare opportunity: the chance to design fire resilience into a home from the foundation up, rather than adding it as an afterthought. Homes in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones must meet Chapter 7A of the California Building Code — and we treat those requirements as a floor, not a ceiling. Our approach builds resilience into the structure itself.

Non-combustible assemblies. Exterior walls, roofing, and decking are the home’s first line of defense. We specify ignition-resistant and non-combustible materials — and detail the assemblies behind them so the protection is real, not cosmetic.

Ember-resistant detailing. Most homes lost to wildfire are not ignited by a wall of flame; they are ignited by wind-driven embers finding a vulnerable vent, eave, or gap. We design ember-resistant venting, soffits, and closures so the building envelope holds.

Defensible siting and landscape. Fire resilience extends past the walls. We plan the site — the ember-resistant zone immediately around the structure, defensible space, hardscape, and the placement of the home itself — as an integral part of the design.

Fire-rated openings. Windows and doors are tested, rated assemblies in our rebuilds, specified to withstand radiant heat and resist failure during a fire event.

Resilient, healthy systems. We consider air filtration for smoke events, and back-up strategies for power and water, so a home remains safe and livable when surrounding infrastructure is strained.

Clarity and constructability. Drawing on our work with Case Study 2.0 (below), we favor compact, straightforward forms and well-considered, standardized components. Simplicity lowers construction risk, controls cost, and produces a home that performs — and endures.

NAVIGATING THE REBUILD
A fire rebuild follows a familiar arc — consultation, design, permitting, construction — but the path is full of specifics. We help homeowners navigate them: Jurisdiction. The review process depends on where you are. Pacific Palisades rebuilds are handled by the City of Los Angeles (LADBS); Altadena rebuilds go through Los Angeles County. The procedures, checklists, and timelines differ, and we guide you through the one that applies to your lot. Like-for-like, or reimagined. Expedited review is available for rebuilds that stay close to the original footprint. We help you weigh that faster path against the opportunity a rebuild offers to improve how the home actually works for your family. Insurance alignment. We prepare clear, well-organized documentation and align design decisions with your coverage, so the architecture supports your claim rather than complicating it. Permitting. We assemble complete, well-coordinated submittals for plan check and the one-stop rebuilding centers — the kind of documentation that moves through review rather than stalling in it.

EXPERIENCE & CREDENTIALS
Ed Millán, AIA serves on the AIA|LA Wildfire Response Task Force, contributing to the architecture profession’s coordinated response to the 2025 fires. Millán Architect / Studio is one of 40 architecture firms selected for Case Study 2.0, a collective initiative hosted by Crest Real Estate focused on resilient housing for wildfireaffected Los Angeles communities. Our prototype, The Return Home, is a repeatable, fireconscious housing model designed for typical Pacific Palisades lots. We are currently designing a ground-up fire rebuild in Pacific Palisades, and our team brings prior experience with post-fire residential rebuilds across Southern California. Ed is also listed with Architect Connect, the AIA California database that links fire-affected communities with architects ready to help them rebuild.

HELPFUL RESOURCES
A starting point for homeowners navigating the rebuild. These are official and professional resources; they are offered for convenience and are not affiliated with Millán Architect / Studio.

Official rebuild hubs - LA County Recovers — Rebuilding — the County hub, for Altadena and other unincorporated areas affected by the Eaton Fire. - LADBS — Wildfire Rebuilding & Recovery — the City of Los Angeles hub, for Pacific Palisades rebuilds. - L.A. Strong: Return and Rebuild — the City of Los Angeles recovery portal.

Permitting and process - LA County One-Stop Permit Centers — in-person help from County agencies. - LA County Permitting Progress Dashboard — current rebuild and permit data. - LA County Rebuilding FAQ — answers to common rebuild questions.

Insurance and financial relief - California Department of Insurance — the state authority on insurance, with wildfire claim guidance. - LA County Assessor — Disaster Relief — property tax relief for damaged or destroyed property.

Finding professional help - Architect Connect — the AIA California database connecting communities with architects. - AIA|LA Wildfire Response — the profession’s coordinated recovery resources.

START THE CONVERSATION
If you lost a home in the Palisades or Eaton fires, we offer a free initial consultation — no obligation, just a clear, honest conversation about your lot, your options, and the path ahead.