Rebuilding Malibu & Pacific Palisades:

Our Commitment to Resilience

The communities of Malibu and Pacific Palisades have long been cherished for their natural beauty, but recent wildfires have underscored the need for resilience in our built environments. At David Hertz Architects, our deep-rooted connection to these areas drives our dedication to designing homes that not only harmonize with the landscape but also stand resilient against its challenges.​

Having lived and worked in these communities for over forty years, David's commitment extends beyond architecture; he is a crew lead and co-founder of the Community Brigade, which operates under Los Angeles County Fire Department Division 7. David is a Class 1 Wildland Firefighter and a board member of LAEPF, the Los Angeles Emergency Preparedness Foundation, which oversees the Community Brigade. His active involvement in wildfire response efforts provides invaluable insights into designing structures that are both beautiful and resilient.

David Hertz Architects has over four decades of experience creating sustainable and regenerative spaces and expertise in disaster recovery and rebuilding, including those following the Green Meadows Fire in 1993, the Thomas Fire, the Woolsey Fire, the Franklin Fire, and the Palisades Fire. Our fire rebuild work spans Los Angeles and Ventura Counties and communities such as Malibu, Ventura, and Pacific Palisades, providing expertise in navigating insurance claims, entitlement processes, and expedited permitting. The work of David Hertz Architects emphasizes innovative design techniques, home hardening, and materials that can help protect against damage or destruction from wildfires.

Pictured below: David Hertz with crew at the Franklin Fire and a picture of David taken on the first night of the Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades.

Designing for Fire Adaptation, Not Just Fire Resistance

Rebuilding is not just about replacing what was lost—it’s an opportunity to create more adaptive homes that coexist with the natural environment while standing up to its challenges. We integrate fire-conscious design principles not as an afterthought but as a fundamental aspect of how homes are conceived and built.

  • Fire-Resilient Strategies
    Drawing from real-world fire defense experience, our designs incorporate ember-resistant materials, site-specific mitigation strategies, and passive fire protection.

  • Regenerative Design
    Beyond fire resistance, we focus on self-sufficient systems—water collection, solar energy, and sustainable building materials—to ensure that homes are not just rebuilt but reimagined for long-term environmental harmony.

  • A Community-First Approach
    As an active participant in local fire defense efforts, David understands that resilience is not just about individual homes but about community networks. We work closely with homeowners, neighborhoods, and fire safety organizations to create solutions that benefit the broader landscape.

Rebuilding after a wildfire is a profound challenge, but it’s also an opportunity—to design with intention, foresight, and respect for the land. If you are looking to rebuild in Malibu, Pacific Palisades, or Altadena, we’re here to help you navigate the process with an approach that is grounded in both technical expertise and lived experience.

SELECTED RECENT FEATURES OF DAVID’S EXPERIENCE WITH FIRE REBUILDS AND FIRE RESILIENCE:

Architectural Magazine: Wildfire Resilience Design Strategies for Architects and Homeowners

Architectural Record: Continuing Education: Wildfire-Adapted Design

GARDENISTA: Ask the Experts: 5 Actionable Tips for a Fire-wise Landscape

Rolling Stone: ‘IT’S ALL GONE’: DEVASTATION, SURVIVAL, AND HOPE FROM THE CALIFORNIA FIRES

BBC Business Matters Podcast: LA's wildfires: the fight and rebuild

AD Architectural Digest: What We Lost: A Portrait of LA in 77 Memories

REVIEW USGBC-CA’s new CA Wildfire Rebuilding Guide