California Rebuilds: Resilient design choices for fire victims
After losing her Pacific Palisades home to a wildfire, architect and designer Chinmaya Misra turned her grief into purpose as a juror for the California Rebuilds Design Competition, which promotes sustainable rebuilding through Passive House standards. The initiative, launched by Passive House Network and Passive House California, invites architects to design homes that are energy-efficient, fire-resistant and inspired by California’s diverse architectural heritage, from Craftsman to Contemporary styles. All qualifying entries will be published in a public catalog to guide rebuilding in fire-prone areas like Altadena and the Palisades.
The competition showcases a shift toward resilience and sustainability in architecture. Passive House expert Christian Kienapfel emphasizes that homes built with airtight envelopes, high-performance windows and smart insulation not only reduce energy use but also defend against wildfire smoke and embers. Misra believes these principles represent a healthier, safer future for California communities, one where rebuilding after loss becomes an opportunity to create stronger, smarter and more sustainable homes.
