Preapproved Plans Speed Fire Rebuilding

In the aftermath of California’s Eaton Fire, architects Alex Athenson and Cynthia Sigler launched the Foothill Catalog Foundation to help homeowners rebuild more efficiently.

The nonprofit worked with Los Angeles County to establish a process for preapproving plans for primary residences. Five months after the fire, the county approved the foundation’s first design: a 1,200-square-foot bungalow called “The Lewis.”

TIME reports that the catalog has since grown to more than 70 preapproved plans. More than 100 homeowners have selected designs, with over 40 homes under construction in Altadena as of the article’s publication.

The plans are designed to meet California’s requirements for very high fire-hazard areas, including noncombustible exterior materials, ember-resistant vent screening, and Class A fire-rated roofing. The foundation also emphasizes place-based design, adapting its catalog to reflect the distinct architectural character of communities such as Altadena and the Palisades.

For builders, architects, planners, and local officials, the model offers lessons in coordinating plan review, reducing design barriers, incorporating wildfire resilience, and preserving local character during large-scale recovery. Its founders believe the approach could be adapted for communities across the country.

TIME article: https://time.com/collection/time-trailblazers/2026/alex-honnold/
Foothill Catalog Foundation: https://www.foothillcatalog.org/
The Lewis plan: https://www.foothillcatalog.org/the-lewis