Photo courtesy of AIAPF by John Dlugolecki
FOOTHILL COURT RESID. RECEIVES AIAPF REBUILD DESIGN AWARD
BAR Architects & Interiors is honored to share that Foothill Court Residence has been recognized with a Rebuild Design Award by AIA Pasadena & Foothill.
Created in response to the devastating Eaton Fire that impacted Altadena and surrounding communities in early 2025, the award celebrates projects that thoughtfully support rebuilding efforts through resilience, continuity, and care for the people and neighborhoods affected.
Commissioned by a young family rebuilding the home they lost, Foothill Court Residence reflects BAR’s commitment to architecture that is both environmentally responsive and deeply connected to place. By leveraging Los Angeles County rebuilding provisions through a like-for-like rebuild, the project preserved the potential of a deep, narrow lot that would otherwise have been nearly unbuildable under current zoning standards.
Inspired by mid-century modern principles, the residence organizes simple rectangular volumes around a central courtyard that anchors daily life and strengthens the relationship between indoors and out. Fire resilience is integrated in the architecture through noncombustible materials, defensible landscape strategies, passive solar orientation, thermal mass, and drought-tolerant native planting—demonstrating that fire-conscious design can be both attainable and architecturally expressive.
With construction beginning this month, the recognition marks an important milestone not only for the project team, but for the broader effort to rebuild Altadena with a renewed sense of community.
