
The January 2025 fires that have recently devastated most of the Palisades community, is understandably having a profound impact on the residents, beyond the buildings that can likely be replaced. The immeasurable effect on the homeowner’s personally, along with our family and friends who lived there as well, is truly traumatic.
In the Summer of 2000, I designed and built a new custom home for my wife and I in The Palisades, just up the hill from my home town of Santa Monica. But even a quarter of a century ago, designing fire resistant materials into the construction of our home, such as a Class A cement tile roof; plaster walls encompassing the entire exterior; tempered glass double glazed skylights; enclosed eaves; stone and cement flatwork around the perimeter of the home; and double glazed aluminum clad windows; could not withstand the powerful forces of nature with very strong winds and fierce heat from this fire.
When we became residents of this special town, we participated in community support, such as me with the PaliHi Student Mentorship program and my wife for (13) years on the Fourth of July Parade Committee.
I still feel an affinity to The Palisades and certainly the current challenges that the property owner's are faced with, including possible insurance issues. We’re aware of the fact that some policies exclude compensation for the necessary architecture services, before a new home can be built.
Thus I’m offering my (35+) years of architecture, engineering and construction administration experience (full-on general contracting work can be procured locally) to the Pacific Palisades property owners who were victims of this unfortunate fire, for new home Architect plans at a substantial fee reduction from traditional Architect costs.
Although I currently live in Colorado, our services have been and can be, easily transmitted in a matter of seconds to just about anywhere; no different than thousands of firms across the Nation. As well, the likelihood for my on-site Architect observations are just two hours away by air (maybe even faster than traveling on the 405 at times), as I have provided previously on out-of-State projects.
Each project will of course have it’s own specifics regarding site topography, property owner’s architectural design preference, size/sq. ft. of livable space plus multicar garage requirements along with possibilities of: a detached guest house/ADU/motor court space/recreation amenities/etc. As well, this is an opportunity to explore new designs that can incorporate considerations for an energy-efficient, sustainably responsive, healthy-home interior environment and of course fire resistant materials on the home and perimeter.
Please use our Inquiry Form on our website to submit basic information regarding the property along with your new home main objectives. We realize that developing a new scope of work for this formidable undertaking will require a patient, flexible, informative and professionally guided collaboration with multiple Parties and related agencies.
I’ll then get back with you in a very timely manner, with a complimentary consultation. After further communication, hopefully the possibility of us helping you rebuild can come to fruition.
Best always for a brighter future in The Palisades!
Barry R. Shaw AIA, GC
BSA Inc. Design & Construction
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