This Architect Explained Why This One House Survived The LA Fires, And The Reasons Are Truly Fascinating

The Pacific Palisades neighborhood was one of the hardest hit in the Los Angeles fires.

Aerial view of a neighborhood showing extensive damage with a lone blue van on the road among the ruins
Josh Edelson / AFP via Getty Images

Just total devastation.

Aerial view of a residential area showing extensive fire damage, with homes reduced to rubble and ash, streets largely intact
Mario Tama / Getty Images

One home on a neighborhood street survived, and the architect who designed it, Greg Chasen, is going viral for explaining why he thinks it survived.

Twitter: @ChasenGreg

Chasen said that the house was a client's-slash-friend's.

Tweet exchange where Paul asks if a house belongs to someone or their client, and Greg replies "Client/friend."

He said it was "totally livable" in its current state.

Nick Rishwain asks about smoke or property damage; Greg Chasen replies it's livable and he managed today

Someone pointed out the features of the house that could have contributed to its survival: There was "no vegetation, except for the planters," as well as a "fire-resistant roof and siding" and a "brick and mortar retaining wall." Chasen pointed out that there were also no vents or eaves, and the house had tempered glass windows. He mentioned that the "solid concrete perimeter" probably saved it.

Tweets discussing fire safety measures, including absence of vegetation, brick retaining wall, tempered glass windows, and concrete perimeter
A modern house stands intact amid a neighborhood of burnt homes and debris, highlighting resilience amidst destruction

Chasen said that he was "lucky" that there was no vegetation against the building and that it also helped that the adjacent lot had just been "demoed and scraped clean 3 weeks ago."

Tweet responses about land use discuss vegetation and lot clearing

Chasen pointed out that the neighbor moved their car into the driveway before evacuating, which may be the reason their house burned down.

Two Twitter posts discussing a car's wheels melting from heat, while a house remains unaffected. One mentions molten aluminum
Modern house untouched amid surrounding fire damage, with burnt trees and buildings, highlighting contrast and resilience in a residential area

And lastly, he said that "a couple glass panels will require replacement. Otherwise fine."

Two tweets discussing building inspections; one recommends inspecting aluminum windows, the other mentions glass panel replacement and ash residue

NBC4 also ran into Chasen at the house as he was facetiming with the owner of the house.

He said the family that owns the house just moved into the home six months ago. They had rebuilt the house after living there for 30 years.

Two reporters in helmets and masks stand in front of a fire-damaged building, reporting on a wildfire in Pacific Palisades. News banners display updates
NBC 4

The NBC reporter said a house was on fire across the street, so it would be a while before the family could move back in.

News broadcast showing a burned house and car after a wildfire in Pacific Palisades, with a reporter on site. Breaking news banner reads "Wildfire burning 2,900+ acres in Pacific Palisades."
NBC 4

When asked for final thoughts about the ordeal, the owner said, "I think we just need to be really considerate and caring for people who lost their homes. We're super lucky, and we're in a safe location. We're okay and it's not going to be true for everyone in the neighborhood, just utter devastation."

News reporter wearing a mask interviews a firefighter. Background shows aftermath of a fire. Lower third text reads: "Firefighter suffers serious head injury in Palisades fire."
NBC 4