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AAHA Studio\u2019s Harper Halprin and Aaron Leshtz. Image courtesy of AAHA.<\/p>\nA rendering of AAHA’s courtyard home design. Image courtesy of AAHA. <\/p>\n
AAHA Studio\u2019s Harper Halprin and Aaron Leshtz. Image courtesy of AAHA.<\/p>\n
The Los Angeles fires<\/a> destroyed thousands of homes earlier this year, throwing people into the emotional and physical quagmire of what they have lost \u2013 and what happens next. But one pro\u00adgram \u2013 based on a previous effort to create affordable housing in the mid-20th century \u2013 looks to help people get a head start on rebuilding.<\/p>\n Called Case Study 2.0<\/a>, the Los Angeles-based program offers a catalog of pre-approved, fire-resistant homes<\/a> designed by 45 architectural firms (and growing). Launched by Crest Real Es\u00adtate<\/a>, the program aims to help homeowners build more afford\u00adably and faster than if they went through the usual process.<\/p>\n \u201cThe question wasn\u2019t if we should help, but how,\u201d said Steven Somers, CEO, Crest Real Estate<\/a>, whose uncle\u2019s home was among those that burned. \u201cWe quickly realized we are fortunate to have the network and experience to do something meaningful, and that\u2019s when the idea for Case Study 2.0 was born.\u201d<\/p>\n One of the first firms Crest reached out to was AAHA<\/a> (pro\u00adnounced \u2018a-ha\u2019), an architecture and interior design<\/a> studio run by husband-and-wife duo Harper Halprin and Aaron Leshtz, who went to high school with Crest\u2019s founders, brothers Steven and Jason Somers. After a traumatic event such as a fire, researching architects, contractors, etc. is overwhelming, Leshtz said. \u201cThis program puts people on second base.\u201d<\/p>\n Both Halprin and Leshtz grew up in Southern California and the firm primarily works in the state. \u201cWe have a lot of connection to the community.\u201d<\/p>\n Firms in the Case 2.0 program submitted designs based on two standard lot sizes, Leshtz added. AAHA envisioned a space for a typical client \u2013 families that need flexible, kid-friendly spaces that can adapt over time.<\/p>\n The small lots challenged AAHA to think about how to create defensible space<\/a> around the home; the closer a home is to its neighbors the quicker fires can spread throughout a neigh\u00adborhood, Leshtz said; something the city experienced in the Palisades and Eaton fires. Their home design<\/a> for Case 2.0 is in a C-shape, with a courtyard in the center, to give the home\u00adowners additional space away from their neighbors \u2013 and every ground-floor room offers outdoor access. It\u2019s a five-bedroom, 3,500-square-foot design with an option for a basement (which also has a bedroom).<\/p>\n