The question isn’t should we rebuild after the Palisades and Eaton fires, but how we rebuild—smarter, safer, and in a way that respects both the landscape and the reality of what’s ahead.
A month after the fires, the smoke has cleared, but the loss is still raw. This was a seismic event—one that will shape Los Angeles for years, if not decades, to come. In the immediate aftermath, we saw heartbreak, disbelief, and frustration. But we also saw resilience. Because if there is one thing Angelenos do in the face of catastrophe, it's help our neighbors, learn our lessons, and rebuild stronger. For me, this isn’t theoretical. This isn’t an abstract conversation about policy or urban planning. It’s personal. I’ve watched friends and clients lose everything.
I’ve seen the devastating images and walked through the remains of homes I spent years designing—places where families celebrated life, where carefully curated details turned houses into homes. Now, they exist only in memory and scattered fragments of what was left behind.
In some cases, those fragments were eerily intact—pottery vessels, blackened but unbroken. Metal barstools, still lined up at the ghost of a kitchen island, the kitchen itself reduced to rubble. Objects meant to be lived with, loved, and passed down through generations, now standing as the last evidence of spaces that no longer exist.
Losing my work this way has been emotional in a way I wasn’t prepared for. But that pales in comparison to the heartbreak of watching people I love lose everything.
Entire neighborhoods were lost in a matter of hours. But rebuilding will take years. The scale of destruction means that cleanup alone will be a long process—removing debris, testing soil and air quality, and ensuring the land is safe again. Rebuilding neighborhoods will require careful planning, collaboration, and a deep understanding of the landscape we’re working with.
Some will walk away. For many, this disaster has been too much—too much loss, too much uncertainty, too much to start over again. Others will rebuild, reclaiming what was lost and creating something new in its place. And still more will move into these neighborhoods for the first time, drawn by the same things that have always made these areas special.
But the goal isn’t just to rebuild—it’s to rebuild thoughtfully. These aren’t just houses; they’re communities with deep histories and a distinct sense of place. We can’t remake the past, but we can preserve the heart and soul of these areas. If we don’t, we risk losing what made them special in the first place
The Outsider Narrative: Why the Calls Not to Rebuild Miss the Point
In the weeks following the fires, I read too many op-eds and social media posts asking:
"Why would anyone build in these areas in the first place?"
"Should we really rebuild here?"
"Maybe this is a sign that people shouldn’t live there at all."
Much of it was written by people who don’t live in Los Angeles and don’t understand its geography. And much of it is deeply unsympathetic—treating this loss as a philosophical question rather than the real, lived experience of thousands of people. So let’s talk about the reality of Los Angeles.
This isn’t a city that sprawls predictably across a flat, uniform landscape. This is a city defined by nature—mountains surround it, mountains cut through it, mountains shape it. The Palisades and Altadena were not hastily developed in the last decade; they’ve been built up over a century, forming tight-knit communities that have existed for generations.
And aside from a handful of dense urban cores, nearly every part of Los Angeles brushes up against wild, drought-prone, flammable terrain. That’s simply the nature of the place we call home.
Telling people not to rebuild isn’t just impractical—it ignores the reality of Los Angeles. This city has always been shaped by its landscape, not in spite of it. The question isn’t whether we rebuild, but rather how we do it in a way that acknowledges what we’ve learned.
What Comes Next? A Smarter, More Resilient Los Angeles
Rebuilding isn’t just about replacing what was lost. It’s an opportunity to rethink how we build—because wildfires aren’t a once-in-a-generation event anymore. They’re part of our new reality.
That means making strategic, forward-thinking choices:
Prioritize sustainable, non-toxic materials. Many of the homes lost were built with materials that, when burned, released toxic chemicals—arsenic, asbestos, and other substances that have made LA’s air quality significantly worse. The choices we make now will shape the air we breathe for years to come.
Design with fire resistance in mind. We’ve learned so much from past disasters, including why older homes burn so quickly. We have the knowledge and technology to build fire-resistant homes using fireproof and fire mitigating building methods and materials and wildfire-resistant landscaping that offer better protection, and designing with the environment in mind rather than trying to fight against it.
Support local artisans, builders, and tradespeople. Rebuilding after the wildfires isn’t just about structures—it’s about people. Choosing local materials, trades, and artisans doesn’t just support the economy, it keeps the character of these neighborhoods intact and supports our neighbors who were also affected by the disaster. The goal isn’t just to replace what was lost, but to build back with intention.
Act with intention and knowledge. With the scale of destruction we’re facing, we cannot simply rush to rebuild, we must rebuild better. The best architects, builders, and designers are in high demand, but it’s not about speed. It’s about finding the right team, the right plan, and the right approach to create homes that will last—not just structurally, but environmentally and emotionally.
Reinvention is in our DNA
Los Angeles has always been a city shaped by reinvention. People come here to build something new—lives, careers, communities. This spirit undoubtedly gives LA its singular vibe. That doesn’t change just because the landscape does.
Interior designers will play a crucial role in the rebuilding process—not just in restoring homes, but in helping people get their lives back. We understand how to create spaces that are functional, safe, and meaningful. We know how to navigate the materials, the planning, the logistics that go into rebuilding after a disaster. And most importantly, we know how to ensure that rebuilding doesn’t come at the cost of character.
Because rebuilding isn’t just about construction. It’s about identity. The Palisades won’t be the Palisades if it becomes a patchwork of sterile, cookie-cutter developments. Altadena’s charm won’t survive if it’s reduced to a collection of uninspired new builds. These neighborhoods deserve more than that.
Rebuilding isn’t up for debate. What matters is that we do it with intelligence, intention, and respect—for the landscape, for the history, and for the communities that call these places home.
A Commitment to Those Affected: My Contribution to the Rebuilding Effort
As an interior designer, my responsibility doesn’t start and end with aesthetics. I am the gatekeeper of every material, fixture, and finish that enters my clients’ homes. The choices I make—what’s sourced, what’s installed, what’s prioritized—directly impact both the environment inside the home and the environment at large.
This is why I’m offering complimentary 60-minute Zoom consultations to anyone impacted by the fires.
If you’ve lost your home and need guidance on where to start.
If you need to restore, remodel, or refurnish due to smoke damage.
If you simply need expert advice on the rebuilding process—no obligation, no pressure, just knowledge and direction.
At Patrick Ediger Interior Design we have extensive experience working in the Pacific Palisades and Altadena. We’ve built strong connections with the best contractors, architects, and tradespeople in these areas. Whether or not you choose to work with me long-term, I want to make sure you have the best possible foundation for moving forward.
We've also put together a comprehensive resource list and FAQ page to help you or your loved ones begin the rebuilding process.
If you or someone you know needs support, click below to connect with us. Let’s rebuild smarter—together.
XO PE
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