This Architect Explained Why This One House Survived The LA Fires, And The Reasons Are Truly Fascinating

Matt Stopera / BuzzFeed
·2 min read
The Pacific Palisades neighborhood was one of the hardest hit in the Los Angeles fires.
The Pacific Palisades neighborhood was one of the hardest hit in the Los Angeles fires.

Josh Edelson / AFP via Getty Images

The Pacific Palisades neighborhood was one of the hardest hit in the Los Angeles fires.

Just total devastation.
Just total devastation.

Mario Tama / Getty Images

Just total devastation.

No words really - just a horror show. Some of the design choices we made here helped. But we were also very lucky. pic.twitter.com/kpqfiRj49M

— g chasen (@ChasenGreg) January 9, 2025 ">One home on a neighborhood street survived, and the architect who designed it, Greg Chasen, is going viral for explaining why he thinks it survived.

Chasen said that the house was a client's-slash-friend's.
Chasen said that the house was a client's-slash-friend's.

Twitter: @ChasenGreg

Chasen said that the house was a client's-slash-friend's.

He said it was
He said it was

Twitter: @ChasenGreg

He said it was "totally livable" in its current state.

Someone pointed out the features of the house that could have contributed to its survival: There was
Someone pointed out the features of the house that could have contributed to its survival: There was

Twitter: @ChasenGreg

Someone pointed out the features of the house that could have contributed to its survival: There was "no vegetation, except for the planters," as well as a "fire-resistant roof and siding" and a "brick and mortar retaining wall." Chasen pointed out that there were also no vents or eaves, and the house had tempered glass windows. He mentioned that the "solid concrete perimeter" probably saved it.

Twitter: @ChasenGreg

Chasen said that he was
Chasen said that he was

Twitter: @ChasenGreg

Chasen said that he was "lucky" that there was no vegetation against the building and that it also helped that the adjacent lot had just been "demoed and scraped clean 3 weeks ago."

Chasen pointed out that the neighbor moved their car into the driveway before evacuating, which may be the reason their house burned down.
Chasen pointed out that the neighbor moved their car into the driveway before evacuating, which may be the reason their house burned down.

Twitter: @ChasenGreg

Chasen pointed out that the neighbor moved their car into the driveway before evacuating, which may be the reason their house burned down.

Twitter: @ChasenGreg

And lastly, he said that
And lastly, he said that

Twitter: @ChasenGreg

And lastly, he said that "a couple glass panels will require replacement. Otherwise fine."

">NBC4 also ran into Chasen at the house as he was facetiming with the owner of the house.

He said the family that owns the house just moved into the home six months ago. They had rebuilt the house after living there for 30 years.
He said the family that owns the house just moved into the home six months ago. They had rebuilt the house after living there for 30 years.

NBC 4

He said the family that owns the house just moved into the home six months ago. They had rebuilt the house after living there for 30 years.

The NBC reporter said a house was on fire across the street, so it would be a while before the family could move back in.
The NBC reporter said a house was on fire across the street, so it would be a while before the family could move back in.

NBC 4

The NBC reporter said a house was on fire across the street, so it would be a while before the family could move back in.

When asked for final thoughts about the ordeal, the owner said,
When asked for final thoughts about the ordeal, the owner said,

NBC 4

When asked for final thoughts about the ordeal, the owner said, "I think we just need to be really considerate and caring for people who lost their homes. We're super lucky, and we're in a safe location. We're okay and it's not going to be true for everyone in the neighborhood, just utter devastation."

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