After fires ravaged Los Angeles at the start of 2025, thousands of Angelenos were left looking for answers, resources, and a little hope in the neighborhood of Altadena. Now, one organization is hoping to bring a little, rebuilding in the way they know best.
The beginning of 2025 brought historic wildfires to Los Angeles that not only damaged thousands of physical structures but also left a deep scar on the communities who have lived in these regions for generations.
One of the most affected areas, Altadena, is home to a rich history of Black families calling the area home. Starting in the 1960s and ’70s, Altadena was a place where Black residents could purchase homes – a luxury that wasn’t available to them everywhere across California. Today, about 18% of Altadena’s population are Black.
However, the Eaton Fire left an unforgettable dent in the history and culture of the entire community. As the last of the embers flickered out, around 14,000 acres and 7,000 structures were burned in the fire, including 16 deaths, some of who lived in Altadena.
As the rebuilding efforts have begun, one organization is hoping to use its skills to rebuild the community while also preserving its history. The National Organization of Minority Architecture, or NOMA, recently created the Altadena Rebuild Coalition. Janae Edwards, a USC student and Vice President of the USC NOMA Students chapter has begun work in the community, starting with educating residents.
“So our past event, which was at Community Bible Church in Altadena ... was really to interact with the people of the community. It’s to make them aware of the services they have available, and to let them know what they can expect now that they’re going through this process of rebuilding their community,” said Edwards.
She recounts how spirited the community was amidst the rebuilding.
“What I thought was fascinating is that having the people from the community come in and talk and tell their stories about their community and how much they love it, it was such a vibrant environment. We’re not talking about easy topics, their experiences that they’re going through. It’s not anything light, but within all of that, we’re laughing, we’re smiling, they’re telling stories of their childhood,” said Edwards.
She believes architecture can be a part of this vibrancy, thinking holistically in the rebuilding process rather than focusing solely on construction. According to the USC School of Architecture, they pride their students on being citizen architects who “analyze problems and create design solutions that both respond to the challenges of our time and embrace the promise of a better-built environment.” That philosophy helps students like Edwards think through their creative process when designing buildings.
“I think architecture is a great way to start rebuilding, because what we’re doing is we’re looking at the community itself, and we’re seeing how we can preserve the community and things are historically significant through design... I think architecture is significant in that way, to ensure that the ideas of the community can be re-communicated through design,” said Edwards.
Edwards encourages students to get involved with NOMA and the coalition, reestablishing generational foundations and rebuilding community history.
The rebuilding effort is nowhere near complete. It’s just getting started. But organizations like the Altadena Rebuild Coalition and its dedicated volunteers are a sign of better things to come.