Altadena’s rich architectural history was destroyed in hours. English revival. Spanish colony. California bungalow. Janes Cottage. Neighborhood landmarks and spaces protect the mountain framework for generations – Everyone is in hell.
What if there is a way to rebuild a community? As residents continue to imagine what the future of Altadna will look like after the Eaton Fire, Fight to maintain its legacy From mass development, Dreamers have begun drawing plans that will bring honor to homes that date back to the past century.
Inspired by the early 20th century Sears Directory This allows customers to choose from a house design for sale and transportation as a kit, and local architects have built Foothill Directory Foundation After the fire. The idea behind the nonprofit is to develop various home designs and have pre-approved plans that reflect Altadena’s history.
Design ideas so far include the Mediterranean, the artisan, the mid-century and Janes Cottage – The hope of the Elisha P. Foundation, built in Elisha P. Janes in the early 1920s, was that a simple process to help people rebuild can keep the community intact.
“In AltadenaIf there are so many multi-generation homeowners, many people who may not have insured or at all, may not have the resources or emotional bandwidth to complete the process of custom reconstruction,” said Siegler, 28, who has partnered with her and Architect Alex Athenson co-founded a volunteer-run nonprofit. “Some people will be able to do that – but many people won’t. ”
An example of the Foothill Catalog Foundation’s design plan.
(Stephen Dudro/Foodmonton Directory Foundation)
The two live in Pasadena northwest on the border of Altadna. Their home survived, but their neighbors were burned.
“As part of this community, we really see and understand how devastating this is for Altadena and all those who have lost their homes. What can we do to serve the entire community,” said Athens, 30.
The group works in concert with engineers, builders, local governments and community groups, and the group has begun to connect with residents eager to return, even if it takes years.
Callum Hanlon, who lost his home on Poppyfields Drive, is building an ADU for his property for his in-laws to visit. He knows that from bidding contractors to sorting out design plans and materials, construction projects can be tough. He believes that pre-planned designs will greatly reduce time and cost.
“I would rather have that than walk back and forth with the county and spend more than $60,000 in a year’s revision to get the perfect place to live,” he said.
Hanlon, 36, said his family moved to the area before the birth of his first child four years ago. The quaint community and trees drew him to Altadena, who he doesn’t want to leave now.
“I want to come back,” he said. “Altadena has given us the best of both worlds in having this closely connected community, and we feel comfortable raising children, relying on neighbors and other community members, and being with people who seem to want the same.”
Margaret Martin, 96, sat outside the house built by her husband.
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
Hanlon has been spreading news about the Foothills Catalog, recently coordinating a scaling webinar Thursday for dozens of residents interested in learning about the foundation. Sigrad explains the general concept and answers questions related to tasks and prices.
“If there are things that are built multiple times, then you can start thinking about prefabricated and bulk ordering, which is all things that can be cut at the cost of that,” she said. “While I can’t offer specific fees for these homes, we have Confidence given all these factors, this will be a more affordable option.”
The grocery store on Lake Avenue sells the murals of the store.
(Christina House/Los Angeles Times)
Nonprofits are still in the early stages of planning. Sigler said they met with the Los Angeles County Department of Planning, Construction and Security and figured out if the insurers have any plans that they require to consider. Their goal is to develop a framework as soon as possible.
Recurrent thoughts among residents are that successful reconstruction must be community-oriented Protect the heritage of the townwhich includes historic black communities and ensures residents are not kicked out. Altadena Heritage and Pasadena Heritage discuss the need to protect Altadena’s history through plans to rebuild the opinions of locals. The band residents have shown up grassroots efforts together. Freddy Sayegh grew up in Altadena and he was the first Alliance with residents Create a program with different expertise and backgrounds.
“We know what we want. We know how we want to build it,” he said at a recent Zoom meeting of about 200 people. “Who said we can’t have the best architectural home? Who said we can’t have the best cafe…Who said we can’t be a clean, modern and historical city?”
Sigler believes that those rooted in Altardna are the ones who will shape their future.
“It’s the people who make this place special,” she said. “We definitely don’t want to be a group of architects, telling the community how we think they should rebuild – we always feel that this should be the opposite.”
