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Recraftsman: A Design For Rebuilding
Honoring Craftsman Heritage, Acknowledging Current and Future Climate Risks
The traditional characteristics of historic craftsman houses such as wood siding, exposed wood rafter tails and roof overhangs, or exposed wood structural elements are contrary to the well documented details and strategies for Passive House and fire resilient design. Therefore, a new style- a Recraftsman- integrates passive house and fire resistant detailing to the traditional craftsman massing as a way to honor the architectural legacy of Los Angeles while confronting the contemporary issues of energy efficiency and fire-resilient construction for rebuilding more than restoration—it embodies resilience, adaptation, and hope.
Craftsman Character - High-Performance and Resilient Design
Our interpretation of Craftsman architecture maintains the style’s defining characteristics— human-scaled proportions, natural and humble materials, while integrating Passive House strategies. Deep overhangs and strategically placed windows reduce solar heat gain while maintaining the style’s signature emphasis on indoor-outdoor connection.
The home’s massing reflects classic Craftsman proportions with contemporary considerations for wildfire defense. Lower-pitched roofs with ember-resistant materials and defensible landscaping zones create a protective envelope that enhances architectural integrity as a solution to today’s challenges.
Accessibility and Aging in Place
A fully accessible ground-floor ensures the home can serve residents throughout their lives. Wide doorways, accessible bathrooms, and barrier-free circulation patterns enabling aging in place. Design for aging in place or multi-generation households recognizes that rebuilding is a long-term investment for the immediate occupants, and long-term community stability, resident wellbeing, and functionality.
Passive House Integration
Traditional Craftsman style homes achieving Passive House Classic certification within Craftsman aesthetics requires thoughtful integration of high-performance building envelope strategies. Super-insulated walls, triple-glazed windows, and continuous air barriers work within traditional forms. The home’s orientation and fenestration maximize winter solar gain while minimizing summer heat, reducing mechanical system loads and enhancing comfort.
Fire Resilient Craftsman Details
Historic Craftsman houses are not fire resistant, as they often include wood siding and exposed wood rafter tails and roof overhangs, and exposed wood structural elements. Additionally a Passive House is also not inherently fire resistant, but can its rigorous air sealing can reduce fire ignition and spread. Fire resilience extends beyond Passive house, material selection, to encompass strategic site design decisions, fortifying the house with defensible zones of non-combustion and low-combustion surroundings. The home’s compact footprint and strategic placement within required setbacks create defensible space while maximizing usable interior space. Covered outdoor spaces are designed with fire-resistant materials. Ember-resistant venting and minimal roof penetrations reduce ignition risks.
Strengthening Community Through Flexibility
The fully accessible first floor for aging-in-place, flexible second floor rooms, and ample storage means this design is about more than individual homes—it’s about rebuilding communities. By providing flexible housing options that honor architectural heritage while embracing Passive House performance standards, we create a model for resilient rebuilding that serves diverse needs and strengthens neighborhood fabric. This approach transforms the act of reconstruction into an opportunity to create a home that is rooted in place and prepared for the future.