Charlotte Rose’s Post

I was interviewed by Kriston Capps for Bloomberg CityLab last Friday after Greg Chasen's house that survived the fire went viral. We talked a little bit about rebuilding in the Wildland-Urban Interface and the (lesser known) Intermix, how #Passivhaus design can allow for better protection against wildfire and #wildfiresmoke inundaation - and how quickly these things are evolving. 'As a climate-minded architect practicing in the Pacific Northwest, Eliason says he never anticipated that he would be designing wildfire smoke-resistant homes. But with wildfires breaking out more frequently in Washington and smoke events regularly lasting three weeks or more, his clients now ask for this advice all the time. “This issue of widespread wildfire smoke was on nobody’s radar, even in the Passive House community,” Eliason says, until the 2018 Camp Fire, at the time the most destructive in California state history.' This is also a major reason why I lobbied to have Passivhaus adopted as the default baseline for Seattle's #SocialHousing Developer. It is imperative we are designing places that protect residents to the greatest extent possible, and allow adaptation to the changing effects of #climatechange. Passivhus is the most durable building standard that offers the best passive survivability during smoke events, cold snaps, heat events (when properly designed) and the increasing risk to mold from deluge events. I have a lot of questions about rebuilding in or even near the WUI. I've fielded a number of questions about whether masonry or concrete should be mandated - I don't see the need, and as the surviving house shows - it's also not necessary. But I do think that a standard for building here that incorporates #firewise construction + passivhaus should really be the starting point if we're prioritizing climate and resiliency. Happy to talk about these issues further, if anyone is curious. #urbanplanning #rebuilding #climateadaptation #passivesurvivability #stadtplanung #architektur #architecture #buildingscience

Solutions don't have to be costly measures, they just need to be consciously crafted. Craft of a home used to be about beautiful detailing. Generally speaking, it is something that has dissipated over the past few decades. In 2024 there were 27 climate events in the United States that caused over $1 billion in damages each (NCEI). Of this damage, a substantial amount was the loss of homes. It is time architects begin to bring craft back into the fold, not just as an aesthetically beautiful detail, but as carefully constructed ways to protect these homes that are shelters to provide safety and to collect memories. Architecture probably won't be able to remedy all natural disasters, it would be vain to think so. But there are simple steps we can take when we design. From landscaping, to material, geometry, and construction details, we have the ability to give residents to have a better chance. Let's get back to it and honor our responsibilities of protecting public health, safety, and welfare.

Chicago deserves so much more than an empty lot. It's not always comfortable to tell other federal agencies they can do better - but that's *precisely* what Congress requires our agency to do. I published this op-ed in the Chicago Tribune yesterday to raise public awareness of a seemingly bureaucratic Section 106 issue that could have far-reaching consequences - opening the door to federal agencies demolishing buildings in urban locations across the country. The issue is the potential demolition of two (very cool) historic buildings in downtown Chicago. Here's what I said: "More important than the architectural and environmental value of these two sites, though, is the terrifying precedent that would be set: that it’s okay to demolish perfectly usable historic buildings in the heart of our cities.  Federal agencies could use the same nebulous logic about security concerns to radically change main streets, downtowns, and neighborhoods all over the country.  The whole notion seems ripped right out of an urban renewal playbook from the 1960s.  In fact, it was federal agencies’ cruel evisceration of our cities that inspired the National Historic Preservation Act, and the Section 106 process it enshrines, in the first place." As Chair, I only get involved directly in a handful of the 120,000 Section 106 "undertakings" every year. This one is so important because urban renewal is one "historic" thing that we should never bring back. I am keeping an eye on this process as it evolves.

This year has seen initial public consultations inspire and evolve into the first CGIs and plans for #BradfordCityVillage. The CGIs reflected priorities from local people outlined through the consultation process and included more community amenities and services, a mix of housing types and more green spaces. With: Bradford Council | Avison Young │ UK | Cushman & Wakefield | West Yorkshire Combined Authority | re-form Landscape Architecture Ltd | 5plus architects | ECF | Homes England | Legal & General | Muse

Great piece. I wonder about the tradeoffs between fire safety and earthquake safety. If the use of wood is restricted for construction, what are implications for earthquake resistance of alternative materials?

Chamblee’s downtown redevelopment is making significant progress. The project drew 25 responses to its Offering Memorandum, underscoring strong interest from top firms. The contract award is expected by the end of the year. With its consistent and robust growth, Chamblee has positioned its projects as premier opportunities for architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) firms looking to help shape the city’s vibrant future. City of Chamblee, Kristen Hill Gorham, MPA

Comfort and connection created by spaces like community parks act like a magnet to residents and businesses. When you invest in landscape architecture, you invest in your city's future. Discover more ways landscape architecture helps boost local economies: https://bit.ly/3zjo8Ii

Landscape Architecture in action. Yet another application.

Strategic urban planning and landscape architecture play a crucial role in reducing the urban heat island effect. By designing green areas, using eco-friendly construction methods, and heat-resistant materials, cities can tackle rising temperatures and improve urban life quality. Green infrastructure and proper zoning measures are essential in decreasing heat retention and promoting healthier communities. #LandscapeArchitecture #Landscapeimplementation #Landscapemaintenance #Landscapesupervision #SustainableUrbandevelopment #GreenInfrastructure.

It wouldn’t be Preservation Month without dedicating a post to our expertise in leading Section 106 reviews! Under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Section 106 reviews are vital for identifying and safeguarding historic resources from potential negative impact caused by federally funded construction projects. When such projects arise, preservation specialists (like us) step in to assess the historic resources in the project's vicinity and how the project’s implementation may affect their location, design, setting, feeling, materials, workmanship, and association. One of our Section 106 projects involves the proposed reconstruction of Metra Commuter Rail’s 59th Street Station in Hyde Park. This project encompasses the reconstruction of street-level depots, new platform-level headhouses, and adjacent limestone embankment reconstruction. Located just west of Chicago’s Jackson Park at the eastern end of the Midway Plaisance, the station has served the University of Chicago and Hyde Park since the 1890s. The railroad's historical significance is grounded in the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, known primarily for its influence on Chicago’s architecture and regional urban planning, and also where traction power, the electrical system that continues to run our transit system today was unveiled to the world. Through this type of historic assessment, we determined that the proposed changes would impact the historic integrity of the surrounding historic districts and following this determination, AltusWorks played an instrumental role in advising on station design changes as well as the development of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to mitigate this affect. We take pride in our role within this public process, which identifies and preserves Chicago's historic resources while facilitating necessary improvements to aging infrastructure for the benefit of all. Pictured here: Souvenir map of the World's Columbian Exposition at Jackson Park and Midway Plaisance, Chicago, Ill, U.S. A. 1893; Library of Congress Legat Architects Ellen Stoner Anney Grish Kesha Patel #preservationmonth2024 #historicpreservation #historicplaces #section106 #metra #stationarchitecture #chicagoarchitecture #historicchicago #chicagohistory #chicago