Staying alive: Trafalgar Centre Reinhabitation

Los Angeles County outlines a streamlined rebuilding process for residents affected by wildfires, establishing one-stop permit centers to assist with navigation. Construction cannot commence until debris removal is complete, but residents are encouraged to apply for necessary permits as soon as they are ready. A guide titled "The Road to Rebuilding" helps residents understand the steps involved in the complex rebuilding process after a wildfire, including an animated video overview. Key rebuilding highlights include scheduling appointments at one-stop permit centers, applying for building or fire debris removal permits, learning about like-for-like rebuild options, obtaining temporary housing permits, and utilizing mapping resources. Information is also available for navigating manufactured and factory-built homes. The article addresses frequently asked questions related to fire rebuilds, covering topics such as what to expect, permitting timelines, and fees. A "like-for-like" rebuild, as defined by the Zoning Code, involves a replacement structure that is the same size, in the same location, and for the same use as the previous one. In the Palisades Fire affected area, modifications that do not increase floor area, size, height, or building footprint by more than 10% are allowed. In the Eaton Fire affected area, modifications can increase these aspects by up to 10% or 200 square feet, whichever is greater. These structures can have different internal floor plans or be smaller and do not need to comply with current Zoning Code requirements but must adhere to current Building, Fire, and Health and Safety Codes. The timeline for rebuilding is not definitive, with applications for temporary housing and like-for-like rebuilds generally required within two years of an emergency declaration. Extensions may be granted, but building permits expire if construction doesn't begin within 12 months. The duration of the permitting process varies based on project complexity, with expedited services for like-for-like rebuilds and pre-approved plans. More complex projects will still be expedited, with initial reviews within 10 business days and rechecks within 5 business days for Regional Planning. Additional agency approvals, such as a water agency "Will-Serve" letter, are usually required before a building permit can be issued. Minimum submittal requirements include one application with architectural plans and property ownership information to initiate review, with additional materials like structural and energy plans requested later. A debris removal permit is only necessary if homeowners opt out of the government-assisted program. Reusing existing foundations requires evaluation by an engineering consultant, ensuring the foundation meets current building code requirements after thorough testing and forensic analysis. Demolition permits are not required for those in the government's debris removal program if the foundation remains. The article also addresses specific code requirements, including exemptions and waivers for certain like-for-like rebuild projects in the Eaton Fire area, such as electric vehicle-ready infrastructure, cool roof requirements, graywater-ready plumbing systems, and low impact development (LID) requirements for buildings constructed before 2009. LID requirements are not waived in the Palisades area. Guidance is provided on cross-lot drainage and the process for determining previous square footage and available construction plans. Pre-approved building plans are available for homeowners, and solar panels are no longer mandatory but homes must be solar-ready. Fire sprinklers are required by current codes, and while new buildings must be electric-ready, gas appliances are still permitted. Wood-burning chimneys are now allowed for fire rebuild projects. Information on property tagging ("Yellow" or "Red" tags) provides details on access restrictions and safety concerns, with contact information for local Building and Safety District Offices and One-Stop Permit Centers. Temporary housing, including RVs, manufactured homes, or mobilehomes, is allowed with proper connections, and approvals expire two years after the emergency declaration, with possible extensions. Manufactured and factory-built homes can serve as permanent replacement structures if they meet fire-resistant construction requirements and are installed on a continuous concrete footing. Building new Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) is permitted as temporary housing while the primary dwelling is rebuilt, with expedited permitting and compliance with current codes. Utility-related questions cover septic systems, sewer connections, and undergrounding utilities. Existing septic systems can be reused if in good working order for like-for-like rebuilds, but upgrades are required if wastewater flow increases. Connection to county sewer lines is mandated if a property is within 200 linear feet of a sewer main and repair of a septic system is needed. Homeowners are responsible for the cost of lateral connections to underground utilities. The County supports the creation of community-driven sewer districts and clarifies that Public Health Department management keeps all inspectors informed of changes regarding septic, cesspool, and sewer systems. Incorporating greywater systems is encouraged for environmental benefits, though specific policies for new ADUs are still developing. Regarding swimming pools and spas, temporary fencing is required if existing barriers are damaged, and debris removal from pools is covered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers if within the ash footprint. Draining pools to the sewer requires a permit and specific conditions, otherwise, private water haulers must be hired. The rights of new buyers are also addressed, clarifying that while temporary housing eligibility is tied to prior residency, expedited permitting is available to all within two years of the emergency declaration, regardless of property ownership changes. Lastly, contact information for one-stop locations and various rebuilding resources for different cities within Los Angeles County are provided, including links for FEMA assistance, disaster loans, tax relief, and insurance claims. #WildfireRecovery #RebuildingProcess #LAcountyPermits #TemporaryHousing #LikeForLikeRebuilds #BuildingCodes #SepticSystems #SewerConnections #DisasterAssistance

Gerig Hall, originally known as South Hall, was renamed in 1986 and serves as a four-story residence hall accommodating approximately 100 students at Taylor University. It is now adjoined with Breuninger Hall, creating a larger residential complex. The first floor of Gerig Hall is equipped with a common lounge area, a kitchen, and a welcoming lobby, providing communal spaces for residents. The hall's living arrangements are divided by gender, with women residing on the second and third floors, while men occupy the fourth floor. Gerig Hall is characterized by its small, close-knit community atmosphere, which is fostered by its unique open suite layout. Each floor features five distinct living areas, and each of these areas is surrounded by three or four individual rooms. This design promotes interaction and a sense of community among students. A notable architectural feature of the hall is its two large, winding central stairwells. These stairwells have been discovered by students to offer exceptional acoustics, making them a popular spot for hall-wide worship gatherings, where voices blend and are magnified, creating a special auditory experience. The residence hall is known for its family-style environment, encouraging frequent family-dinner type events that bring residents together. In addition to social gatherings, students in Gerig Hall often participate in recreational activities such as Ultimate Frisbee games, further contributing to the hall's vibrant and communal spirit. The article also provides links to practical information for residents, including furniture dimensions, furniture configuration options, and specific room measurements for Gerig Hall. These resources are valuable for students planning their living spaces. Furthermore, the article offers an embedded YouTube video providing a virtual tour of Gerig Hall, allowing prospective or current students to visualize the living spaces and common areas. The tour highlights the suite-style living arrangements and the division of floors for women and men. The content emphasizes the opportunity for residents to 'Make Friends, Create Memories' within the hall. It also lists key contacts for Residence Life within Gerig Hall, including Olivia Bloom, the Hall Director for both Gerig and Breuninger Halls, providing a direct point of contact for student support and inquiries. This comprehensive overview of Gerig Hall underscores its role as a supportive and engaging living environment for students at Taylor University. #GerigHall #ResidenceLife #TaylorUniversity #StudentHousing #CampusLife #HallCommunity #CollegeDorms

Jay Deputy embarked on a journey to update his late parents' home in Seaford, Delaware, transforming it into a personal retreat while preserving its inherent character. The single-story, red brick Colonial-style house, built in 1968, held significant sentimental value, having been purchased by his parents, John and Lillian, in 1970. Deputy, who describes himself as a lifelong collector of homes and furnishings, ranging from a 13,000-square-foot mansion in St. Paul, Minnesota, to a New York City loft and a centuries-old farmhouse in North Wilmington, viewed the Seaford property as an ideal downstate getaway. He appreciated its "human-scaled" rooms, conducive to intimate gatherings of six to eight people. Upon inheriting the house after his mother's passing in 2009, Deputy's initial focus was on structural stability. This involved addressing termite damage, installing a new heating and air conditioning system, and restoring the front porch columns. He then furnished the porch with rockers and casual seating, allowing for enjoyment of the hydrangeas. Simultaneously, he simplified the yard and garden to better suit a second home, acknowledging it as an ongoing project despite removing several trees. Inside, Deputy concentrated his decorative efforts on the entertaining areas: the formal living room, library, dining room, and sunroom, along with the master and guest bedrooms. Notably, he left the kitchen largely untouched, preserving its original Corian countertops, plank cabinets, and wrought-iron hinges, deeming it "still a very serviceable kitchen." The library, which served as a family room during his childhood, underwent a significant transformation. Deputy removed dark paneling, painting the walls and fireplace a soft celadon green, a color inspired by a floral needlepoint rug inherited from his grandmother. He sourced matching Baker settees, reupholstering them in a claret-and-ivory toile fabric by Brunschwig & Fils, featuring pheasants, hunting dogs, and woodland flora. Accents of black, including a painted tole tray, silk chandelier shades, and a cocktail table, complement the room's color scheme. A 19th-century Empire-inspired mahogany bookcase displays antique volumes and Chinese porcelains, subtly reflecting the room's palette, flanked by 18th-century Chippendale chairs. Deputy's decorating style, while more formal, shares a common appreciation for Chippendale furniture with his mother, who preferred a country aesthetic. He describes the mahogany sideboard in the dining room as an artful reproduction, adorned with vintage Waterford crystal and heirloom decanters holding a collection of rare Scotches. The full restoration of his St. Paul mansion, which took a decade, provided him with valuable hands-on experience in plastering and carpentry. For the Seaford project, he hired out much of the work but personally handled tasks he enjoyed, such as painting, often accompanied by Bach on his iPod. The formal dining room features a bold blue-and-white Brunschwig & Fils wallpaper depicting birds and vines. Chippendale-style dining chairs by Maison Jansen and mid-century reproductions of a dining table and breakfront by Henredon, inherited from his aunt, complete the space. An antique Chinese rug from his grandmother and 18th-century gilt-wood sconces with their original mirrors add historical depth. In the sunroom, Deputy refreshed his mother's whitewashed wicker furniture with black paint and claret-and-cream toile cushions. Unmatched Asian-influenced chandeliers were unified with a glossy crimson enamel, and lemon trees and leafy plants contribute to a tropical atmosphere. The formal living room showcases his grandmother’s camelback sofa, upholstered in its original shimmering gold silk, complemented by cream walls, coral wing chairs, and an Oriental carpet. The room also features a 1740 partner's desk, a mahogany desk with flame finials crafted in Delaware, and 18th-century commodes serving as end tables. A magnificent, thinly cut stone screen from China behind the sofa underscores his passion for collecting. Deputy emphasizes the sentiment behind these items, stating, "Things we find, things that have age, things we collect have a certain weightedness," and cherishes the stories embedded within them. #HomeRenovation #InheritedHome #InteriorDesign #SeafordDelaware #FamilyHeirlooms #ChippendaleStyle #HistoricHomes #HomeDecor #PersonalizedSpace

Third-year architecture students at the Lebanese American University (LAU) have designed and assembled a 1:1 scale prototype of an emergency shelter, named 'ECS-p1', on their Byblos campus. The project responds to a challenge from studio instructor Richard Douzjian, who tasked students with developing temporary structures using readily available, everyday objects, mirroring the resourcefulness often seen in refugee environments. The chosen materials for the 'ECS-p1' are plastic crates, commonly used in agriculture, and standard zip ties. The design follows a 'consumerist vernacular architecture' approach, emphasizing the use of ubiquitous materials. The plastic crates are intended to be reusable if they remain undamaged, and both the crates and zip ties are fully recyclable. This material choice addresses both immediate need and environmental considerations, offering a sustainable solution for temporary housing. Beyond providing basic shelter, the 'ECS-p1' integrates functionality. Each plastic crate serves a dual purpose, acting as a structural component and a storage unit, with the exception of those forming vertical support columns and window sills. The window shutters are also versatile, designed to function as either seats or table legs when not in use for covering openings. This multi-functional design maximizes the utility of limited space and resources within the shelter. In hot and dry climates, the 'ECS-p1' presents a viable alternative to traditional tents. Its design promotes natural lighting, enhanced ventilation, and passive cooling, making it more comfortable than conventional tent structures. Furthermore, the shelter offers greater structural resistance and seamless integrated storage, addressing common shortcomings of emergency tents. The interior provides approximately 9 square meters of liveable space, maintaining a visual connection with the outdoors through its design. The roof assembly demonstrates an alveolar system, where interconnected crates and zip ties reinforce the structure, highlighting an innovative approach to stability using basic components. The project involved a team of student designers including Shady Waked, Abdelkader Ghazzawi, and Sandra El Hajj, under the guidance of instructor Richard Douzjian. The assembly team comprised numerous students, collectively constructing the shelter. The 'ECS-p1' has a built area of 14.4 square meters and utilizes 416 plastic crates, with an assembly time estimated between 5 to 7 hours. Concrete blocks were added to the wall bases to serve as weight anchors, enhancing stability. A thermal insulation study for a potential 'ECS-p2' iteration suggests the future inclusion of standardized PVC boxes within the plastic crates to improve insulation. This initiative showcases an innovative and practical solution for emergency housing, utilizing simple materials to create a functional and environmentally conscious temporary dwelling. #EmergencyShelter #ArchitectureStudents #SustainableDesign #TemporaryHousing #PlasticCrates #DIYArchitecture #HumanitarianDesign #LAUArchitecture #ModularConstruction

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered daily life, forcing millions worldwide to spend unprecedented amounts of time at home. This shift, epitomized by the widespread adoption of 'working from home' (WFH), initially offered perceived benefits such as eliminating commutes and reducing work-related expenses. However, prolonged confinement led to a phenomenon described as 'stir-crazy,' prompting a search for designated personal spaces away from the main residence. This demand catalyzed the emergence and popularization of the 'sanity shed'—a backyard retreat serving various purposes, from dedicated workspaces to private sanctuaries for hobbies or relaxation. The concept of a sanity shed addresses the need for a 'soft separation' between work and family life, as observed by human behavior expert Daniel H. Pink. It provides a distinct physical boundary that helps individuals disengage from the constant presence of both professional and domestic responsibilities. This separation is crucial for mental well-being, allowing for focused work without household distractions or providing a peaceful haven for personal pursuits. The increasing interest in these structures is evidenced by a surge in related searches and orders, with Wayfair.com reporting a doubling of shed searches between June and September 2020 compared to the previous year, and custom garden-house builder Hillbrook Collections noting a 60% increase in orders in 2020. NEO Builders in Los Angeles also saw a 250% rise in interest for 'accessory dwelling units' (ADUs), which include habitable backyard buildings. Sanity sheds can be either factory-manufactured and delivered, or custom-built to complement existing homes. The choice of materials significantly impacts both aesthetics and functionality. Brick construction, for instance, offers durability, low maintenance, and can enhance property value, especially if it matches the main residence. For a lighter-weight alternative that still provides a brick aesthetic, thinBRIK can be used, requiring less foundation. Another option for exterior cladding is MAC Metal siding, particularly suitable for modern designs, offering maintenance-free longevity and resistance to moisture, unlike vinyl or wood sidings that degrade over time or require regular upkeep. Beyond structural integrity, interior elements are vital for creating a truly comfortable and functional sanity shed. The flooring, for example, plays a crucial role in establishing the desired 'serenity vibe,' with options like tile, natural hardwood, or Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) flooring available to suit different styles and ensure durability. For colder climates or simply to enhance coziness, integrating a fireplace or indoor fire feature can transform the space. Products like Mason-Lite or Isokern-Earthcore fireplaces offer this capability, contributing to a warm and inviting atmosphere. Furthermore, outdoor heating solutions, such as Bromic patio heaters, can extend the usability of outdoor areas around the shed, ensuring comfort during walks to and from the structure even in cooler weather. Ultimately, a sanity shed serves as a practical solution for navigating the challenges of increased time spent at home, whether for professional work or personal decompression. It offers a dedicated space for focus and retreat, contributing to mental well-being and potentially increasing property value. The versatility in design and material choices allows homeowners to tailor these structures to their specific needs and aesthetic preferences, making them a valuable addition to any property in a world where home and work lives are increasingly intertwined. #SanityShed #HomeOffice #BackyardBuilding #WorkFromHome #ConstructionMaterials #BrickConstruction #HomeImprovement #OutdoorLiving #ArchitecturalDesign