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.
Just total devastation.
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.
No words really - just a horror show. Some of the design choices we made here helped. But we were also very lucky. pic.twitter.com/kpqfiRj49M
— g chasen (@ChasenGreg) January 9, 2025
Chasen said that the house was a client's-slash-friend's.
He said it was "totally livable" in its current state.
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.
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."
Chasen pointed out that the neighbor moved their car into the driveway before evacuating, which may be the reason their house burned down.
And lastly, he said that "a couple glass panels will require replacement. Otherwise fine."
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.
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.
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."