{
  "id": 5098310,
  "title": "These California Architects Found a Faster Way to Rebuild After Fires",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/these-california-architects-found-a-faster-way-to-rebuild-after-fires",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-02T13:30:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Time",
    "slug": "time",
    "url": "https://time.com/collection/time-trailblazers/2026/alex-athenson-and-cynthia-sigler/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "When the Eaton Fire swept through Los Angeles on January 7, 2025, local architects Alex Athenson and Cynthia Sigler evacuated their home, unaware that nearby homes would be devastated. As professionals in the field, they immediately recognized the challenges that lay ahead for rebuilding efforts. A week later, still residing on temporary accommodation, the couple founded the Foothill Catalog Foundation, aiming to expedite the rebuilding process and alleviate financial burdens for affected homeowners. Drawing inspiration from a 20th-century Sears program that provided pre-cut home components, Athenson and Sigler devised a system of pre-approved housing designs, bypassing lengthy review procedures. Los Angeles County had no existing framework for pre-approving residential plans, so the foundation collaborated with officials to establish one. Within five months of the fires, the county had approved the Foothill Catalog Foundation's initial plan for a 1,200-square-foot bungalow dubbed \"The Lewis.\" Today, the nonprofit presents over 70 pre-approved housing designs, with more than 100 homeowners opting for these plans, and more than 40 structures under construction in Altadena. Each plan costs $5 per square foot, approximately $6,000 for a 1,200-square-foot home, substantially less than custom architectural work, which can exceed $100,000. The designs adhere to California’s Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone requirements, incorporating non-combustible exterior materials, ember-resistant vents, and Class A fire-rated roofs. Athenson and Sigler collaborated closely with designers to preserve Altadena's unique character, a historically diverse neighborhood with a century-long history. The foundation is also employing a \"place-based design\" approach for the Palisades, a neighboring area with a distinct aesthetic. Athenson notes that today's housing lacks the unique regional character that defined many communities, a trend exacerbated by natural disasters and housing shortages. The Foothill Catalog Foundation's model has the potential for nationwide replication, offering efficient methods to make quality housing more accessible. However, the couple emphasizes the importance of preserving the unique regional character of each community.",
  "summary": "The Foothill Catalog Foundation‘s pre-approved housing plans would streamline rebuilding and save homeowners time and money.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}