Rebuilding Roots: How WHA is Helping Families Restore Home and Community After the Fires

When the fires tore through the Altadena and Pasadena neighborhoods in early January of 2025, homes were reduced to ash within hours. Entire blocks were destroyed in some areas while in others, a single home on an otherwise untouched street was lost. For many homeowners the destruction wasn’t just the loss of a building, it was the loss of a sense of safety, stability, and the fabric of their community.

In early summer 2025, WHA was approached by Williams Rebuild, a new initiative created by Williams Homes specifically to help families recover and rebuild. Although construction has not yet begun, we anticipate that the first three homes will break ground within the next month.

With each step, we are working closely with families who are carrying the emotional weight of rebuilding while trying to imagine a future that feels whole again.

Each of the 12 homes that WHA is designing, ten located in Altadena and two in Pasadena, requires a uniquely tailored approach. Some families are choosing to incorporate elements they’ve never had before such as expanded garages, ADUs, new layouts, or long-desired upgrades while others simply want what they had lost. This range of needs calls for thoughtful, sensitive design solutions that honor each family’s personal history while also embracing new opportunities.One of the most meaningful aspects of this project has been working directly with the homeowners. Listening to their stories is emotional and deeply rewarding. These conversations help shape every design decision, grounding the architecture in lived experience rather than abstract planning.

Looking ahead, we are entering a pivotal chapter with the first homes set to begin construction within the coming weeks. In some neighborhoods, these initial homes will serve as anchors, early signs of renewal and the first sparks of community returning to these streets. Our work with Williams Rebuild is more than just replacing what was lost. It’s about restoring a sense of belonging, helping families reclaim their futures, and laying the architectural foundation for neighborhoods to thrive again. Building a home is one thing, but rebuilding a community is something far greater, and we are honored to play a part in that journey.

 

Abby McSorley